A source within the manufacturer's community tells CompetitionPlus.com they received their contingency forms for 2009 but what really caught their eye was the sanctioning body's plan to contest 13 events. The letter said to call the IHRA offices for details.

You know how these stories get stretched along the way, so we're going to tell it to the best of our ability. From what we hear at the recently completed California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca., was that Jerry Ruth tried to convince Herm Petersen that his car was louder. That allegation prompted Petersen to go out and purchase a sound level meter. 

Petersen reportedly recorded each car and claimed his car, at 85% was the loudest at 123.8. Another car on 98% was measured at 124.0.

A source close to Kenny Bernstein Racing tells CompetitionPlus.com that Monster Energy Drink officially notified the team they won't return in 2009. A total of three sponsors have departed the nitro ranks since the NHRA announced their rebranding the series to Coca-Cola's energy drink.

Sources on the inside tell us that 2007 IHRA Pro Stock world champion Robert Patrick will have his hands full in testing the day after the IHRA World Finals in preparation for the ADRL event in Dallas, Tex., this weekend. After much speculation by other sources, Patrick will not run in the Pro Nitrous division but instead the Outlaw 10.5 cars with his 822-inch Ford. Could he be preparing for a full ADRL 10.5 championship pursuit or could this be something as a time filler before he begins a 500-inch NHRA Pro Stock return?

A solid source has confirmed that Don Schumacher Racing was notified by
Mopar that 85% of the manufacturer's budget had been cut forcing them
to discontinue sponsorship of the Funny Car currently driven by Gary
Scelzi. We are told that Chrysler will thrown all of its eggs into the
Pro Stock class with what remains in the budget. There is no word at
this time as to the status of the car next season and anything
stated, at this point, is pure speculation confirms our source.

Our sources indicate the NHRA's marketing department is encouraging the folks at UPS to stay on board as a different kind of official shipper for the sanctioning body. Apparently, this status allows them to navigate around their self-imposed (and not fully enforced rule) of requiring official sponsors of the NHRA to also sponsor a race team. Our sources indicate that Bob Vandergriff Jr., the introductor of the UPS program to the NHRA, has discouraged the sanctioning body from taking this route.

The American Drag Racing League, a major racing series dedicated to eighth-mile and doorslammer racing, is reportedly looking to add four new venues to its schedule in 2009. The schedule won't be released until the Performance Racing Industry trade show until December, and when it is, we hear tracks such as Bristol Dragway, Atlanta Dragway, Gainesville Raceway and Route 66 Raceway will likely be on there. Don't discount a return to Gateway International either, we are told.

Sources have told CompetitionPlus.com that famed crew chief Tim Richards is working in his final season. Reportedly, as we are told, he's planning to retire at the end of the 2008 season. If this rumor becomes reality, as no official announcement has been made, who will be the successor?

Amidst much speculation that Geico livery will end up on a flopper, a usually reliable source tells CompetitionPlus.com the program will likely end up on a Top Fuel dragster in 2009.

Several nitro teams were gunning for the sponsorship but at least one well financed program has reportedly made their way into the final stages.

Unless an 11th hour sponsorship falls into place for 2009, Top Fuel racer Bob Vandergriff Jr. may be working on his golf swing more than his reaction times. He won't be leaving the motorsports arena completely if what we hear pans out.

Vandergriff through some of the relationships that he has built in NASCAR has had some other opportunities present itself; we hear team ownership could be one of them.