The Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will
distribute $417,936 to 57 qualified youth organizations in Sonoma
County for the 2008 season.

This marks the fourth consecutive year the Infineon Raceway Chapter has
topped the $400,000 mark — it distributed a one-year record of $554,045
in 2005. Moreover, the chapter has distributed more than $3 million
since 2002 to 175 Sonoma County youth groups. The chapter's Board of
Trustees recently approved the distribution of funds at its annual
meeting.

Speedway Children's Charities is the charitable arm of Speedway
Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway.     

Ten-time Pro Stock Champion Was Adversely Affected in 1979 Chrysler Bailout …

Ten-time
NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden vividly remembers the last time
Congress bailed out an American auto manufacturer. The year was 1979.

Just days after beating Bill Jenkins for the 25th anniversary NHRA U.S.
Nationals title in Indianapolis, the Chrysler Corporation petitioned
the U.S. Government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to avoid
bankruptcy.

Glidden was headed into the second season of a three year contract with
Plymouth when he was notified his contract was cancelled.

Hot
Rod Fuller recently completed his first season as driver of the David
Powers-owned Caterpillar dragster with consecutive final-round
appearances in Las Vegas and Pomona. The fan favorite posted a win at
the St. Louis race and earned the pole in Norwalk in June. It was a
strong finish to the season for the seven-time NHRA Top Fuel winner,
who has 20 career NHRA national event wins to his credit in Top Fuel,
Super Comp and Super Gas. In this Q&A, the popular Las Vegas racer
chats about this 2008 season, his off season plans, 1,000-foot racing,
and even makes some sports predictions. 

The final installment of the three-part 1979 NHRA World Finals features
the finals of the three professional divisions. Top Fuel features the
final round fo Don Garlits versus Rob Bruins while Gordie Bonin goes
for his third Funny Car title of the season against Tripp Shumake. Bob
Glidden meets Frank Iaconio in the final round.

Luke Bogacki of Woodville, Ala., is now two-for-two in Super Pro finals
at the Las Vegas Bracket Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway. Bogacki defeated Chris Lindsay on Friday and then repeated
the feat against British Columbia's Stefan Kondolay.

Don’t say Jim Halsey didn’t warn the competition.

Hours
after running the first five second nitrous doorslammer run in drag
racing history, the Street, Md.-based driver mentioned matter-of-factly
that he was having a special outlaw 1968 Camaro built which would be
lighter and sleeker than his present ride.

Are you bored out of your mind this Thanksgiving weekend?

Tired of turkey, football and checking the internet only to discover
the racing community is busy taking time off and not making news?

CompetitionPlus.com has the perfect elixir for what ails you with our Classic Video Rewind Section.

We scour the world of YouTube.com so you don’t have to. If there’s a
classic drag racing video to be found, we’ll find it for you and make
it easy to view.

There are currently 47 videos to view with many more staged up and
ready to go featuring your favorite vintage scenes. We have a strong
selection ranging from vintage John Force to drag racing on Long Island
New York in the 1970s. You can witness Shirley Muldowney in her Funny
Car days as well as some old gear-jamming Modified.

If you’re a Pro Stock aficionado we have Bob Glidden in the Ford Pinto,
Plymouth Arrow and the Ford Fairmont. We even have the “Mad Dog”
squaring off against the legendary Lee Shepherd.

Of course we have Big Daddy Don Garlits. Need we say more?

THE LATEST CLASSIC VIDEOS

This is the continuation of the 1979 NHRA World Finals with the
semi-finals. At this point, it's evident the Ontario Motor Speedway
racing surface has become a one-lane race track with the left lane
being the lane of choice. Some real names remain in competition such as
Don Garlits, Rob Bruins, Gordie Bonin, John Force and Trip Shumake.
Garlits is clearly in control.

Can you name the dejected John Force crew member? 

Every
Friday, CompetitionPlus.com brings you our Feedback letters.
Read what our readers have to say about our feature articles and you
can even offer your opinions.

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 28, 2008

IHRA President Confirms Three Pro Classes Full-time in 2009

The $2 Million Dollar question floating around the IHRA community centers on the sanctioning body’s plans for 2009.

IHRA
President Aaron Polburn said there isn’t a title sponsor in place for
2009, and he’s not announcing anything until contracts are signed and
the money’s in the bank.

The leader of the IHRA confirmed the sanctioning body has several
potentials on deck, in terms of a series sponsor, but as of now,
there’s nothing to announce.

“There are a lot of different programs on the table,” Polburn said.
“The first thing we have to get done is put our title sponsor into
place and when that is done, we will put everything into place.”