Following their use on the Army car during the Winternationals, Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com has learned that new cylinder heads, reportedly dubbed “Stage VI” by manufacturer Alan Johnson, are about to be approved for use by the NHRA.  The day after President’s Day the NHRA will reportedly put out a press release announcing the approval of the new heads for competition.  If this turns out to be true, and the heads are just now getting approval, why
were they allowed in competition at Pomona prior to that approval?

Rumor has it that the PRO, increasingly concerned about chassis issues
ranging from tubing sizes to some of the recent SFI/NHRA chassis
pronouncements and even to the tubing sources themselves, will host a
chassis “conference” during this coming weekend’s CSK Nationals at Firebird
Raceway outside of Phoenix.  We’re hearing that the organization is
providing transportation and hotel expenses for a handful of respected builders.  This may be the first time that many of them have met face-to-face.  Many SFI chassis committee meetings are held via c

A source close to the NHRA tells Torco's CompetitionPlus.com that some of the classic Diamond P video archives from the 1970s and 80s will be coming out soon as part of a special home video collection presented by the NHRA. Much of the footage you've seen from time to time on the ESPN2 shows will be available for nostalgia-starved fans.

Torco's CompetitionPlus.com predicted Matt Smith finish in the lower echelon of the 2008 NHRA Pro Stock points championship based on the belief that he'd be running a limited schedule. A source close to the situation tells us that may change soon. Reportedly, Smith, the current NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion, may have a deal that will extend his part-time effort to full-time status, at least through the end of 2008.

Smith is tight-lipped on the identity until the contracts are signed, sealed and delivered.

During the most recent Union County Motorsports Association (SC) meeting, the announcement was made that a purchaser had been secured to not only complete the construction of the facility but also to take it to a higher level. This new quarter-mile facility promises a state-of-the-art design with the primary goal of securing an IHRA national event as early as 2010. South Carolina, once a staple on the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam series, has been without a national event presence since 1999.

Remember almost seven
years ago, when a group of sportsman drag racers were banned from Norwalk Raceway Park
and given a lifetime suspension from the IHRA? Apparently there has been a
change of heart for the IHRA. A quick glance shows that none of those accused drivers
who allegedly participated in a cheating scandal are listed on their suspended list.

Will Kenny "Captain Chaos" Koretsky soon be turning in circles? Maybe not from a driving standpoint, but as a car owner, that's a likely scenario. From what we hear, Koretsky is heading to Vegas this week to possibly consummate a deal that would bring him into that arena. Oh boy!

A source close to the situation tells Torco's CompetitionPlus.com the sponsorship announcement for Dexter Tuttle's Alan Bradshaw-driven dragster could come as early as this week, but will likely be next week. We are told this sponsor is a beverage that could give a slumping sponsor market a real "boost."

If you were a fan of the Tijuana Taxi and miss those old days, well rejoice because sources tell us the original car has been located and although is in pretty rough shape, Jack Roush is said to be determined to return the car to original specs. We hear because the car is in less than admirable shape that an idea of having a running clone could become a reality in two years. Combine that with a solid tip that Roush Performance will be bringing forth a sponsored Super Stock program and it looks like like our friend Jack is missing the straight line racing an awful lot.

What well-known nitro racer was seen going in circles in Sacramento, California last week? Sources indicate the owner of the car handles the driver training for a major NEXTEL Cup operation and this car owner wants the champion in a Grand National car. Time will tell on this one. We're awaiting confirmation before we name names.