Kurt Johnson's son, Conner, will start the first grade this year while Erin will begin her socialization in a local day car facility. "Kathy is starting them both in tennis" and the children seem to be blossoming under the tutelage of grandma and grandpa Arlene and Warren. Happy birthday wishes also go out to Warren who turned sixty years old on July 7th . . . Good news from the Pedregon camp, Tony and Cruz are having famed chassis builder and race car restorer Pat "Uncle Patty" Foster recreate their dad's "Flamin' Frank" AA/Fuel Coupe. Before Pat can start though he must first complete Tom McEwen's Corvette, the "Surfer's" re-do and Larry Smith's "Wizard." Expect to see the "Surfer's" make its debut at this year's CHRR with Adam Sorokin at the helm.

Bernie Federly, shown here with Gordie Bonin in 1984, displays his Miller Lite shirt while Gordie decides the riches found inside the can are far greater than wearing the product. Bernie is one of the brain trusts behind John Force, while Gordie is living with the lovely Diane in Washington. When asked if he'd ever get back in a race car, Gordie responds, "Yes, I'd love to. But John Force is the only one out there who recognizes the talents an over-fifty driver can contribute to a team." (Photo courtesy of Henry Walther).

Gordie Bonin retells a funny story regarding the infamous Frank Pedregon. Many years ago while Frank, wife and helper were en-route to Calgary, Canada in their normal half-ton pick-up truck they happened upon a camper shell on a dealer lot that Frank felt needed to be a part of their tow package. In the middle of the night, and while the helper held the camper shell down with his bare hands, they sped away down the interstate. Understandably, the helper could not hold on to it at 100 mph, so the camper shell flew off into the median. A state trooper came along and helped Frank and friends reinstall the camper shell, and with c/clamps holding her down off they went . . . Tragic news out of the Northwest at the sudden loss of Jett Field who crashed his jet-powered funny car on Saturday night, July 6th. Jett was removed from life-support after his family arrived at the hospital and died July 8 . . . Another sad incident occurred when Gary "Red" Greth and Pat Hayhurst both lost their homes/property in the Mt. Lemon fire that suddenly struck hundred of homes in Tucson, Arizona. The fire was so hot that it melted the antique cast iron stove in Pat's house down to a puddle.

Cory McClenathan seen with his lovely wife at her Senior Prom in 1986 at Sonora High School where both he and Amy were students. Cory and Amy met at her dad's place of business where he worked. When she first spotted him she immediately told her mother she was going to marry him. Amy was only 15 years old. Coincidentally, Amy named her Ken doll "Cory" when she was only five and told her kindergarten teacher she was going to be a race car driver when she grew up. Sounds like destiny had a hand in their 22 year old romance.

Happy 80th birthday to Carroll Shelby, famed creator of the Shelby Mustang that Don Prudhomme loved so much back in the 70's . . . Best wishes go out to both Charlie and Patty Hutson who are battling health issues in the desert community of Landers, California. Patty was the first woman to be issued an NHRA dragster drivers license while they were still living in Minnesota . . . Jerry Hart, son of C.J. Hart, and Betty Belcourt have set up housekeeping together in Jerry's SoCal home. The happy couple plan to enjoy a lot of RV traveling since Betty is no longer working full-time at Boeing. Expect to see them at this year's CHRR as long as 92-year-old C.J. remains in good health . . . Get well wishes go out to Rocky Childs who underwent surgery last month. Rocky has suffered from Diabetes for over 30 years but has never let his condition get the best of him.