Ken Black did his best, earlier this season, to dispel the misnomer that his pockets were endless, but with little luck. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

Black confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com recently that he’s scaled back personnel and remains 99.9% percent sure that he’ll be parking the Top Fuel team for 2009 unless funding arrives prior to the season opener in Pomona come February.

A third Pro Stock for his KB Racing remains possible, but that is contingent on certain monetary arrangements coming to pass. If that program comes to pass, the level of personnel could return to pre-layoff levels.

Black is just one of the many drag racing movers and shakers feeling the pinch of a sluggish U.S. Economy.

“We are just trying to be a little smarter with our money,” Black added. “We’re trying to get rid of some used parts and others that were just gathering dust.” Ken Black did his best, earlier this season, to dispel the misnomer that his pockets were endless, but with little luck. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

Black confirmed with CompetitionPlus.com recently that he’s scaled back personnel and remains 99.9% percent sure that he’ll be parking the Top Fuel team for 2009 unless funding arrives prior to the season opener in Pomona come February.

A third Pro Stock for his KB Racing remains possible, but that is contingent on certain monetary arrangements coming to pass. If that program comes to pass, the level of personnel could return to pre-layoff levels.

Black is just one of the many drag racing movers and shakers feeling the pinch of a sluggish U.S. Economy.

“We are just trying to be a little smarter with our money,” Black added. “We’re trying to get rid of some used parts and others that were just gathering dust.”

“This doesn’t sound like someone with endless pockets does it?” Black asked.

He’s disappointed at having to park the Top Fuel team but feels he’s got no other choice at this time.

“This program has been strictly out of pocket,” Black added. “The Pro Stock team essentially paid for itself through sponsorship and its winnings.”

Black told CompetitionPlus.com in previous interviews if the dragster is parked he will still retain some of the key personnel on the team including driver Hillary Will and tuner Jim Oberhofer until proper funding is secured.

Adding to the financial headaches of fielding a non-sponsored fuel car, Black was recently notified he would no longer carry the sponsorship of Pontiac Motorsports as a part of the recent GM bloodletting.

“There hasn’t been an official release yet but I’ve seen the writing on the wall since October,” Black admitted. “I eventually called them and to me the situation is rather cut and dry.”

Black did confirm that he had some parts in the pipeline, such as blocks and heads, were ordered before the congressional bailout hearings began and should be delivered any day now to the team’s Mooresville, N.C. shop.

“If we have to buy the parts, that will be fine,” Black added. “But I need to know if we can at least get our hands on them.

Black said one of the remaining officials within GM told him the parts will be available for purchase. Those parts will supply the team until the middle of the season.

Black’s KB Racing was one of the few teams with factory backing from GM.