The NHRA confirmed that 1,000-foot drag racing will be implemented at the NHRA Mile High
Nationals in Denver, Co. The official announcement from the NHRA is expected this afternoon.

Track operators were notified of the NHRA's decision this afternoon in a teleconference. 

 

The shortening of the racing surface is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and
determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing
safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with
the sport.

This
interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. 
NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will
allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement
potential changes based on the safety initiatives
outlined last week. 

The JEGS ProMod Challenge field for the 54th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
will be one of the most star-studded in NHRA history. Four of six former JEGS
series champions -- Josh Hernandez (2007), Jay Payne (2006), Shannon Jenkins
(2002), and "Tricky Rickie" Smith (2001) -- will lead the way, but will
certainly be challenged by many of today's top drivers.

Tour regulars
like points leader Tony Pontieri will be joined by two-time '08 winner Joe Baker
and Bristol
champ Steve Engel in the fight for drag racing's biggest prize.

Six-time
IHRA champion Scotty Cannon, veteran Von Smith, and NOS standout Mike Castellana
also will compete.

For the second straight year, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony “The
Sarge” Schumacher, has been nominated for the ESPY Best Driver Award.

The ESPY Awards, which are distributed for Excellence in Sports
Performance Yearly, was created by ESPN in 1993. Fans determine the
winners in all categories (except the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and
other special awards) by voting online at www.espys.tv. Voting will
take place through July 12.

The 16th annual ESPYs will be hosted by Justin Timberlake on Wednesday,
July 16, at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The
awards show will be televised by ESPN on Sunday, July 20, at 9 p.m. ET.

The official Scott Kalitta tribute decal and Scott Kalitta tribute T-shirt are
both now available for purchase from the Kalitta Motorsports Web site,
www.teamkalitta.com .

All proceeds from the sale of the Scott Kalitta tribute decals and T-shirts
will go to Racers For Christ and B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone
Safe). The tribute decals and T-shirts will also be available for purchase at
the track-side Kalitta Motorsports apparel trailer beginning at the next NHRA
national event in Denver.

Scott Palmer could have whined that if it weren't for poor luck he'd
have none at all. Or he could have grumbled that no good deed goes
unpunished.
 
Instead, the Top Fuel driver found out just how many people care about him.
 
Call it karma. Call it proof that drag-racing folks aren’t jaded. Call
it a sign that decent and generous people still step up to help a
friend in need.
 
How Scott Palmer found this out started with a phone call from the IHRA
office. Today's sudden economic downturn had taken its toll on the Top
Fuel class preparing for the recent President's Cup Nationals at Budds
Creek, Maryland. Only six drivers were planning to attend, and Palmer,
who was fourth in the standings after scoring his career-first No. 1
qualifying position at Milan, wasn't among them. So IHRA Director of
Operations Sharon Ramlow called Palmer and persuaded him to make the
22-hour trip from Marionville, Missouri, to Maryland International
Raceway.

Defending Funny Car world champion Tony Pedregon likes the progress
sports and entertainment company IMG is making at marketing NHRA Drag
Racing.

He’s already seeing an impact made on his behalf with the Hispanic markets.

IMG was retained to assist the NHRA in conducting brand studies and
prepare recommendations on how to enhance sales, marketing and branding
efforts of the NHRA.

“I’m impressed,” said Pedregon of his introduction to Latin Nation, a popular Hispanic television show.

Aeromotive’s Business Development Director, Kyle Fickler has assumed
the duties of Chairman-Elect for the SEMA Motorsports Parts
Manufacturer Council (MPMC), effective July 1, 2008. Fickler was
elected to the position of MPMC Chairman-Elect during a Select
Committee meeting held on January 25, following the annual MPMC Media
Trade Conference. Fickler is also a current member of the MPMC Select
Committee and the Motorsports Awareness Task Force. On that same date,
current Chairman-Elect Bill Floyd of AFCO/Dynatech becomes Chairman of
MPMC when Lisa Chissus’ two-year term as MPMC Chairperson ends.

The 29th annual Mopar Mile-High
NHRA Nationals, which boasts the longest-running NHRA event
sponsorship, will rock Bandimere Speedway this weekend with special
guests and special pre-race activities.

Mopar will recognize two legendary drag racers at
the Mile-High Nationals. Don “Big Daddy” Garlits will serve as grand
marshal, and Judy “Miss Mighty Mopar” Lilly will serve as honorary
starter. Both competed with Mopar power to build the brand's storied
motorsports heritage.

In 2001, NHRA proclaimed Garlits the greatest drag
racer of all time by naming him number one of the top 50 drivers from
NHRA's first 50 years. He earned the majority of his 144 national event
wins, eight U.S. Nationals championships, and 17 season championships
while competing with a Mopar powerplant. Lilly, inducted into the
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, is recognized as one of
the female trailblazers in drag racing.

Car owner Russ Farmer should probably go on vacation more often,
especially if it's on race night. Farmer made a brief appearance last
night at Piedmont Dragway's PowerJam event - just long enough to watch
his driver, Travis Harvey, make one lap down Piedmont's 1/8 mile before
taking off to the beach. Approximately 5 hours later, Farmer's relaxing
vacation was interrupted by a phone call. "We won!", Travis Harvey
shouted. "He basically responded with total silence," laughed Harvey,
followed by, "Are you kidding?"

Travis Harvey, the 26 year old Burlington, NC resident rolled to the
winner's circle last night at Piedmont Dragway to hoist the most famous
trophy in southeastern heads-up racing. Fashioned of ceramic and shaped
like a dog, Harvey's first impression of the trophy was measured in
pounds and ounces. "Wow, this thing is heavy!", noted Harvey, lifting
the Big Dog trophy skyward.

Harvey's course of action on Thursday began with a middle of the pack
qualifying effort, steering the Race Tech Race Cars 68 Camaro to a
qualifying best of 4.27 @ 170mph. The effort was good enough for the #9
slot in the 16 car field of doorslammers. The last session of
qualifying on Thursday had fans holding their breath as Ken Regenthal
and his famous Carolina Hooker Corvette slammed the wall head-on after
the car violently shook the tires beginning around the 100 foot mark.
Ken received much applause as he exited the race car unscathed.
Significant damage, however, was sustained to the front end of the
famous, yellow doorslammer.

Paul Athey’s Red Eagle Racing team has re-launched the team website at
www.paulathey.net . Paul and the team encourage everyone to stop by and
check it out.