Congratulations to Dwight Salisbury, who is now living in the Denver area and working for Lithis Chrysler-Jeep, on becoming a first-time grandfather. Son Damon and wife Tami, who live in Detroit, Michigan gave birth to Cooper earlier this year . . . The Gates Rubber Corporation threw its annual Schumacher Racing Party during the Denver Mile-High Nationals. During the party, that was held at the 24 Union Grill, Lee Beard and Heidi Garner celebrated their respective birthdays.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

On July 14th Josie Kalitta presented husband Doug and first-born son Mitchell with a beautiful daughter, Avery Lynne. "The (birthing) process is remarkable," stated the beaming father. Uncle Connie, who recently returned from Amsterdam on business, is looking forward to campaigning two top fuel cars when his son, Scott, takes over the driving duties on their current dragster and Doug switches to their spare car. Connie, whose only hobby is drag racing, was also able to do some much deserved sightseeing in Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius while in Europe.

Congratulations to Kenny and Laurie Nowling who introduced Joseph Roman Nowling into the world on Tuesday, August 5th. Young Joseph, named after both his grandfathers, weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz and was 21 inches long. Kenny is president of Nowling Motorsports Management. Both mother and son are doing fine.

Gary and Julie Scelzi are celebrating their wedding anniversary on August 11th and Julie her birthday on the 6th by taking a "honeymoon" trip to Las Vegas . . . Sara and Don Schumacher will also celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary by taking a vacation break to Bora Bora and Tahiti. It won't last long, though, because they have to head for Brainerd, MN and the races right afterwards. Sound familiar girls? . . . While most of the wives stayed at home during the Mile-High Nationals to relax and take a much needed break, Claudia LaHaie was on, "yard duty. She's out in that yard from 9:00 PM to sometimes one o'clock in the morning," her perplexed husband reports. And, although the famous wrench for Don Prudhomme loves Denver, he hates not being able to breathe at high altitudes from having only 40 percent lung capacity. It didn't seem to bother him much as he and driver Larry Dixon, Jr., decisively won the West-Coast Swing . . . Jack Wyatt's girlfriend, Ann Johnson, was able to attend the Seattle race because her daughter, Julie Pritchard, is married to an Army Ranger who just returned from Iraq and the family wanted to celebrate together.

GOING TO THE DOGS

For those dog lovers living in the Denver area, Mark Williams' daughter, Diana Phillips, owns an incredible dog grooming facility in Greeley, Colorado, called LeClipperie Dog Grooming and she loves every minute of it. Diana once worked in the corporate world of fast lunches and hectic work schedules, but now can't wait to go to work on Mondays where she is surrounded by loving dogs and puppies.

Diana and Mark Williams aren't just known for producing quality race car parts but also have raised generations of Championship Shelties. Seen at their Colorado home with their treasured family are Mark and Dianna with Annie (15), Beau (11), Ribbon (11), Brit (6), Fallon (3) and Nellie the baby at only 2 years old. Diana has been raising and showing the family dogs for over fifteen years and it's often said by racers that after they die they want to come back as one of the Williams' dogs because they are so pampered and loved.