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Next up, we have the Midwest Super Comp Series. Another upper
Midwest group, they can usually be found at tracks like US
41, Da Grove (Union Grove, WI), Byron Dragway, and Midstate,
in Havana, Illinois. Now you can see them as part of the MRM
throwdown. Expect lots of altereds and dragsters, in all shapes
and sizes.
Last up comes the Midwest Gasser Association. This group runs
about seven dates a year, splitting time between Da Grove
and US 41. Lots of Willys, but a full slice-o-gasser-life
as well when this bunch gets together. Kinda reminds me of
the days when I started going to the drags. Every other car
down the track was a Willys, or a '55 Chevy, or a Bantam,
or something like it!
DISCLAIMER: The previous two sentences are the writer's
obligatory "old fart" moment. He is now finished.
Seriously, if you like drag racing, I think you'll like the
two shows at US 41. It ain't John Force vs. Whit Bazemore,
but it is a lot of variety, and at a good price. For more
info, check out the Match Race Madness website -www.matchracemadness.net.
You'll be glad ya did.
The George Howard-led Top Fuel extravaganza at Huntsville,
Alabama just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Guys are even
coming out of retirement to take a shot at the big payday.
Tim Gibson, nitro shoe and aerodynamicist to the stars, has
filed an entry, ending an absence from the seat. Now if we
could just get some no-limit A/Fuel cars to step up, and maybe
a big tire, big pump nostalgia top fueler in the fold, we
would have the most varied top fuel field in the history of
the sport! BE THERE!!!
Across the map a bit, Southeastern Dragway in Dallas, Georgia
will be celebrating their 50th anniversary season. The keynote
event on the schedule will take place July 4, and the featured
attraction will be an eight-car nitro nostalgia Funny Car
show. When thinking of how to commemorate the track's 50th
year, track operator Gene Fuller's first thought was the usual
Outlaw Pro Mod impulse. But a conversation with Donnie Reeves
changed the game plan, and the eight car F/C slate was booked.
Reeves will headline the show, with DRO's own Jeff Utterback
also appearing, wheeling Jeff Gaynor's 'Cuda. Watch Agent
1320 for more details on who else will be at Southeastern
Dragway.
And this just in, hot from the pits at Houston Raceway Park!
Veteran match racer Jack Wyatt enters this, the fourth month
of 2005 with no match races firmed up to date. Hey, he's been
busy trying to make a dent in the NHRA national event scene.
And thanks to a recent purchase, he might just be poised to
do so. Wyatt has just completed the purchase of one of Del
Worsham's 2004 cars, a Parallax/Grant Downing piece that is
a definite step up from his previous car. In addition to the
new car, Wyatt also has a new associate sponsor to complement
his Race Girl deal. Lem Instruments is a Swedish company that
supplies electronics components to Ford, General Motors, Chrysler
and Mercedes-Benz. Any help is good help when it comes to
budget, Welcome aboard, Lem Instruments.
On a slightly different note, let's look in on Cordova Dragway.
Sure, we at Drag Racing Online have lionized the track's annual
Slingshot Nationals every June, and the awesome World Series
of Drag Racing every August - those two races merit the ink!
But Cordova has more going on than those two dates. Track
operator Scott Gardner has teamed up with the Heartland Stock
and Super Stock Association to bring back class racing to
Cordova, on a semi-regular basis.
The Stock/Super Stock shows will take place on a monthly
basis, and will feature 100% payback. The '05 points champ will
be in line for a $1000 bonus. Faced with increased travel expenses
and higher entry fees at the national and divisional levels,
the racers will no doubt appreciate the chance to do their thing
on a good track, closer to home.
Cordova will also continue to host a Quick 16 series, the
RJ Race Cars Vs Chassis Concepts Top Sportsman Vs Top Dragster
shootouts. Seven races are on tap for the 2005 season. To
round out the special series lineup, Cordova will also host
a three-race bike showdown, with single dates in May, July
and August. For all information on the above-mentioned series,
as well as other racing dates, consult the Cordova Dragway
web site.
Well, there you have it! Two tracks, lots to see, many different
dates to get in some great drag racing and spectating. And
it's just the tip of the iceberg! RACERS, get with the program!
Let me know where you will be racing. You know, somebody might
read about you in Drag Racing Online, and actually come to
see you perform. Stranger things have happened, after all!
Hell, Burk and I might revive the Dharma Bums on Nitro Tour
if we find enough nitro match races.
Later! 
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