COMPTON ADMITS DUI ARREST

After rumors circulated during the rained-out first weekend of the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, NHRA President Tom Compton has verified that he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol August 13 in Los Angeles.

"I regret the incident and apologize," Compton told NHRA employees, according to a report by Louis Brewster published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (www.dailybulletin.com). "I am ashamed, embarrassed and sorry that this incident took place."

Drag Racing Online's Editor at Large, Chris Martin, has an analysis of this incident in our News & Analysis section. (Jeff Burk photo) [9-5-2003]

MELANIE MOVES TO A MUSTANG, MAYBE?

Rick and Larry Michael, co-owners of the Western Rock Top Fuel team, have parted with driver Melanie Troxel. The Western Rock team hopes to return to the tour for the NHRA Fall Las Vegas race and the Finals at Pomona with a driver yet to be named.

With the drag racing crowd deep into our Silly Season, the rumors have already begun to spin around Melanie being the possible replacement for Gary Densham in the third Jimmy Prock-tuned Mustang over at John Force Racing. Ford wants a younger female as their spokesperson for the Mustang's racing image. The Agent asks, who better than Melanie? What a

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potentially great Funny Car match-up between Troxel and future hubby Tommy Johnson Jr. Can you say Ford-vs-Chevy? (Photo by Zak Hawthorne) [9-5-2003]