:::::: News ::::::

NHRA PARTNERS WITH FORD/MOTORCRAFT

NHRA announced today that it has signed a marketing partnership with
Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) that will enhance the automotive
division’s return to professional drag racing.

As part of the agreement, FCSD, through its Motorcraft parts brand and
growing national network of Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
retailers, will have major presence at 10 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing
Series events in 2008 with an on-site promotional display in the NHRA
Manufacturers Midway, public address announcements and video display
advertising spots during event weekends. In addition, Motorcraft will
participate in NHRA’s contingency sponsorship program at the major
sponsor level.

The strategic marketing partnership increases Ford’s presence in NHRA
Drag Racing. Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center is the
primary sponsor for rookie driver Bob Tasca’s Ford Shelby Mustang in
Funny Car competition. Ford Motor Company is also aligned with all four
Funny Car teams that compete in the John Force Racing stable, and is
primarily responsible for the innovative Blue Box safety program in the
sport.

IHRA PRO-AM COMES TO ROCKINGHAM

The season opening IHRA Division 9 Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Series event kicks off this weekend at Rockingham Dragway.

The Carolinas’ fastest racetrack will play host to more than 400 IHRA
racers competing in eight Pro-Am categories including Top Dragster, Top
Sportsman and, new to the series this season, three classes of Jr.
Dragsters.

The track will open at 10 a.m. Friday for a test-and-tune session
restricted to Summit Series drivers.  Qualifying, time trials and IHRA
national record runs are scheduled Saturday with final eliminations
starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Summit Pro-Am event, first of five IHRA  Raiders Divisional races,
kicks off a March schedule that also will include the season’s Spring
Carolina Coalition event (March 8-9), the first Holcomb Motorsports
Fastest Street Cars Shootout (March 15), the first of four Phantasm
Motorsports Street Wars featuring Insane Performance Real Street (March
16), the first race in the Mickey Thompson Performance Tires MiRock
Superbike Series (the Honda-Suzuki of Sanford Spring Bike Open, March
29-30).

KJ'S OFF-SEASON GAINS

In case you haven’t noticed, Kurt Johnson’s ACDelco Chevrolet Cobalt has a nasty disposition in

Image
 (Roger Richards Photo)

2008. So nasty is this attitude, that Johnson has been using the attitude-laced Chevrolet to lay down some impressive runs.

“We just paid a little bit better attention to details is all it was,”
Johnson said when asked what he’s done to the car to make it respond
positively. “The dyno said we were a little bit better but to come out
here and run down the race track it was a little bit added bonus.  We
didn't expect to go as fast as we did.  I thought it was just my car
being new too, but obviously the GM Performance Parts car [driven by
his dad Warren Johnson. He is just as fast as I am so it seems to be
happy.  We're kind of scratching our heads right now.”

Johnson admitted that his engine program picked up about four horsepower during the off-season.

BRADY KALIVODA - "CREATIVITY SELLS"

Sidelined Top Fuel pilot Brady Kalivoda snaked his way though the large
Saturday crowd at Firebird Raceway. He’s optimistic that he’ll return
to competition this season with Tim and Renee Coglan.

“It almost sounds like a cliché to say we're working on it and we've
got irons in the fire,” Kalivoda admitted. “All that stuff that us out
of work drivers say that all the time.  It's true though.”

Kalivoda and the Coglans ran four races in 2007 before the loss of
their crew chief curtailed their efforts. Despite being forced out of
competition when crew chief Keith Adams joined Don Schumacher Racing,
the Coglans kept all of their equipment.

“We’re actively seeking sponsorship,” Kalivoda added. “In fact, we have
a visit in two weeks from right now.  We're going down to do a
Celebrity/Charity golf tournament and a Blackjack tournament at Pearl
River Resort which was our sponsor in Atlanta last year.  We're also
going to take that time to hopefully iron out a partial package for the
remainder of 2008 while we're working on 2009.  All those things are
still in play it's just that I don't have anything to show for it yet.”

VANDERGRIFF INKS DEAL WITH CAMPING WORLD

DSA_6225.jpgComing off a career season of competition, UPS-sponsored Top Fuel driver Bob
Vandergriff has announced a comprehensive, multiyear associate sponsorship deal
with Camping World that will benefit racers, sponsors, and NHRA members across
the country.

Beginning immediately, Vandergriff and his various peers in
the racing world, along with registered NHRA members, will enjoy discounts on
new and used recreational vehicles from Camping World, America’s largest direct
marketer and specialty retailer of RV and outdoor camping accessories, service,
and RV sales.

"The selection of Bob Vandergriff as our brand ambassador
to the NHRA community was a natural one given his popularity and willingness to
work hard for his sponsors," said Josh Erickson, Vice President, Camping World
RV Dealer Network. "Bob spends several months each year on the road enjoying the
benefits of the motorhome lifestyle and that makes him a very credible
spokesperson for our entire line of products and services for RV
enthusiasts."

RANDY MEYER RACING NAMES DIANA HARKER AS DRIVER

dianaharker.jpgThree time Division Five Champion and 2007 Brute Essence of Racing Award Winner,
Randy Meyer has announced that he will be foregoing the driving duties of his
A/Fuel Dragster for the 2008 season to focus on improving the team's performance
and will instead hand the driver responsibilities over to new ‘young gun’ and
rookie driver, Diana Harker.

A highly respected member of the
NHRA Drag Racing family, Randy Meyer has had a successful career spanning over
30 years of racing as Driver, Team Owner and Crew Chief from AHRA Pro-Comp to
IHRA Top Fuel and NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster. A highlight for Meyer and team came
in 2003 as Team Owner and Crew Chief, Randy Meyer tuned current Top Fuel Driver,
Alan Bradshaw to an NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Championship cementing the Meyer
Racing Team as force in the Alcohol Dragster ranks.

BERNER'S NEW GTO

pete_berner_016.jpg

In what should be a very exciting
time, Pete Berner receives his eye-catching Quarter-Max.com Pontiac GXP with
mixed emotions. While taking delivery of the car is an exciting step toward
making its debut, Berner's focus is on the car's chassis mastermind, Rick Jones.
While finalizing the GXP assembly, Rick Jones and family were also dealing with
the failing health of Rick's mother, who has now passed from this
life.

 

 

BARTONE'S RENEWED APPROACH

NHRA Funny Car racer Tony Bartone had plenty of reasons to be worried when primary sponsor
Lucas Oil Products informed team owner Jim Dunn they weren’t returning
in 2008 as primary sponsor on the team. Though he had reasons, he never
subscribed to any negativity.

“I never doubted John Dunn,” Bartone said of the team’s manager and
marketing agent. “He is relentless when it comes to finding sponsors. 
He kept digging out back and came up with a great sponsor called
Canidae Natural Pet Foods.  We're glad to have them aboard.”

For the first time in his professional career, Bartone is the front-man for a non-automotive sponsor.

THE COUNTRY SHINDIG LOCATED

Classic Rickie Smith Super
Modified Maverick was a rare gem …

Ever had a classic car you
regretted selling?

Ask seven-time IHRA Rickie
Smith about the classic 1974 Maverick that got away. The car drove for team
owner Keith Fowler.

 

The same 351 cubic inch
Ford Maverick that he drove to so many IHRA Super Modified titles subsequently
forcing the sanctioning body to cancel the class due to lack of participation
turned out to be a special edition Jack Roush car.

Smith said the car wasn’t
his to sell, but had he have known the rich history – he might have been
inspired to scrape his nickels and dimes together and purchase the ride, if
only to store away in his shop.

 

Recently Smith was
contacted by the new owner of the car who resides in Knoxville, Tennessee. He
brims with excitement when discussing the owner’s reported plans to restore the
car.

MIKE JANIS AND AEROQUIP PERFORMANCE ENTERS FIFTH YEAR TOGETHER

Aeroquip® Performance Products will begin their fifth season of their involvement with Mike Janis Racing.

"Both Mike Janis Racing and Aeroquip are proven winners," stated
Aeroquip Business Manager Paul Grandsko. "Mike and his team approach
racing much like we at Aeroquip approach our business. Understanding
and adapting to changes along with continuing development have put both
Mike Janis Racing and Aeroquip at the top, and for those reasons we are
happy to be involved with Mike and his team for the fifth straight
season."

Pages