CompetitionPlus.com has learned through multiple sources that Torco
Race Fuel's Chief Financial Officer Latrell Preston left the company on
Wednesday, June 12.

Carl
Spiering and his Eaton Cutler-Hammer Pro Modified Corvette were
featured this week at the Global Petroleum Show (GPS) 2008 at Stampede
Park in Calgary, Alberta , the world's largest oil and gas event.
 
Spiering, one of Canada’s top drag racing personalities, spent the week
in the Eaton booth meeting customers, distributors, employees and
guests of the show that saw over 60,000 visitors from 53 countries.
 

The Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the
National Guard announced that its 2nd annual Shelor.com Spring Drags
have been postponed from June 20-21 to Oct. 3-4 at Tulsa Raceway Park
in Oklahoma. Although new tickets reflecting the October dates will be
printed and distributed, all previously distributed tickets will be
honored.

“Unfortunately, this is the second time I’ve had to make this
announcement,” ADRL President Kenny Nowling said, referring to the
previous postponement of the event’s originally scheduled April dates
to June due to severe flooding at the facility. “But short- and
long-term weather forecasts are calling for even more rain and we know
from experience that would ruin any attempt to put on the type of event
the ADRL is known for. As disappointing as it may be, it’s only fair to
our race teams and fans to make this decision now and save them the
time, trouble and expense of traveling for nothing.”

At the center of the pulse of Los Angeles'
entertainment heartbeat, the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City will be
the site where 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series world champions
will be crowned. The 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Awards
Ceremony will be held Monday, Nov. 17, 2008.

The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony will feature a
pre-event cocktail reception at 5 p.m., formal sit-down banquet at 6
p.m., and an after party. The voice of NHRA, veteran announcer Bob
Frey, will serve as emcee during the evening.

Force has three decades of memories from Englishtown. (Roger Richards)

Sometimes the things you love the most serve up the biggest
disappointments.  Take John Force and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park,
site of this week's 39th annual NHRA Lucas Oil Supernationals.
 
Force fell in love with the track more than 30 years ago, back when the
late Vinnie Napp became one of the first promoters to take a chance on
a fast-talking Funny Car driver with big dreams supported by a very
thin resume.
 
Unfortunately, that love rarely has been returned.  
 
In 26 appearances in the Supernationals, Force has won just four
times.  Okay, so that's twice as often as as anyone else in the Funny
Car division.

A rumor suggested Jim Dunn, Tony Bartone and the Canidae All-Natural
Pet Food wouldn’t be in Englishtown and likely wouldn’t return until
after the NHRA Mile High Nationals in Denver, Co.

Such unsubstantiated news comes as a surprise to Dunn.

“I haven’t heard that one yet,” Dunn admitted. “We’re putting a new car
together right now as we speak. We will be in Englishtown. Never count
us out. We have a brand new Victory Race Car that will be legal for
Denver.

The IHRA has dropped their
national event at Toronto
Motorsports Park
scheduled for September 19-21, citing the facility’s failure to upgrade/improvements
at the facility. The decision was made when IHRA officials visited the facility.

“Our contract with TMP
concluded following the 2007 event and we had some facility issues we needed
addressed,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “After the visual inspection
last week IHRA is not satisfied these stipulations have been met and
improvements made, so we’ve chosen to cancel the 2008 event.”

Steve Torrence, NHRA's 2005 Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion, has
been named to replace Alan Bradshaw as the driver of the Vis Viva
"Living Force Energy" Top Fuel Dragster owned by Dexter Tuttle.
Torrence will begin his driving duties at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA
SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. on June 19-22. Torrence previously
drove for Tuttle as teammate to J.R. Todd for the final 3 events of
2006. The 25 year old resident of Kilgore, Tex. is thrilled about his
return to Top Fuel and Tuttle Motorsports.

"I couldn't be more excited than I am right now," Torrence said.
"Having worked with Dexter in the past, I know the kind of team that he
runs and I can't wait to get back in his car. I'm also excited to be
representing Dexter's sponsor, Vis Viva Energy. They are a new and
upcoming energy drink and I'm a new and upcoming driver in Top Fuel,
what a perfect fit."

NHRA Pro Stock Bike world champion Matt Smith confirmed that Mike Berry
will join his team in Englishtown, NJ during the NHRA Supernationals.
Berry will replace current rider Angie McBride for a span of at least
three events.

Zach Beard, a David Powers Motorsports development driver, will make his NHRA
driving debut at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, June 13-15, at
Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. Beard will pilot the Randy Meyer Racing A/FD in
the Top Alcohol dragster category.

“I’m extremely excited to make my NHRA racing debut,”
Beard said. “I’ve grown up around the sport and feel fortunate to learn from a
past champion like Randy Meyer. It’s a great feeling to start my drag racing
career at a first-class facility like Route 66 Raceway.”