Drawing on the excitement and spectacle
of the former Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson class the IHRA contested
from 1998 – 2002, the sanctioning body announced the addition of the Nitro
Cycles as an exhibition class during this year’s Skull Shine World Nationals
presented by ACDelco at Norwalk Raceway Park, August 24 – 27.

The
Nitro Cycle class will consist of six riders: Steve Stordeur, Jay Turner, Mike
Romine, Mark Cox, Bill Furr and Mike Lehman. All accomplished competitors, the
riders will make one pass Friday night and two passes Saturday.

“The
Nitro Cycle class has always been a fan favorite and will be an exciting
addition to one of IHRA’s biggest events,” said IHRA president Aaron Polburn.
“By including Nitro Funny Cars to the eMax Drag Racing Series this year, and now
the motorcycles to the World Nationals, the event will offer a unique mix of
vehicles and one of the strongest nitro-burning fields anywhere.

The Lyn St. James Foundation
recognized the late Barbara Parks’ achievements in the world of NHRA drag racing
today by presenting the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award in her honor during the
fourth annual Women in the Winner’s Circle luncheon at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.

Mrs. Parks, wife of NHRA founder Wally Parks and a driving force
behind the early successes of the 54-year-old sanctioning body, succumbed to
cancer in late January after a long battle with the devastating illness. In
contrast to the many women who take the much deserved spotlight as a result of
their untiring efforts to contribute to the progress of automotive hobbies and
racing, Mrs. Parks, by her own choice remained in the background. But she was a
force — an important, determined and very creative influence — in the earliest
days of the founding of hot rodding and, of course, the National Hot Rod
Association and championship drag racing.

She was active to the end, remaining at her husband’s side as he
pursued with painstaking effectiveness the efficient operation of an NHRA
museum, a monument to the sport’s illustrious history and a showcase of the
archival record of NHRA drag racing. Many of the features showcased in the
museum, now named for its founder as The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum,
are the product of Barbara’s vision, creativeness and talents.

Famed alcohol Funny Car racer Arnie
Karp, who is best known for his series of “Boston Strangler” and Mountain
Dew-sponsored floppers, had his life saved by a kidney transplant several years
ago. Now his sister Elaine is facing the same procedure, only this time her
outcome may not be as favorable as her brother’s.

In an e-mail recently sent to many friends, fans and family, Karp,
now retired from racing, makes a plea for help in the form of a donation and/or
participation in a 3.3-mile walk for Elaine, to be held on September 17 around
the Charles River near Boston. “Elaine,” he says, “is now faced with the same
health issues I had several years ago. She is in need of a kidney transplant. So
far, she had not been as lucky as I was.”

Karp received a kidney from his long-time friend and former
“bottom end” man Pat Murphy, and is now in good health. “It (the transplant) has
been a life-altering experience for both of us,” Karp writes.

Melanie Troxel, driver of the Skull
Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing,
was awarded The USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award today at the fourth annual Women
in the Winner's Circle 2006 luncheon, benefiting the Lyn St. James
Foundation.

At the function held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in
advance of the NASCAR Brickyard 400 this weekend, Lyn St. James presented Troxel
with the fourth annual award which honors a female driver whose spirit,
determination and
driving ability are reminiscent of the excellence
demonstrated by Kara Hendrick during her brief racing career.

America’s Baby Cancer
Foundation (ABCF) and SpeedFreaks have inked a long term
and integral marketing partnership to help raise the awareness of children's
cancer.  In addition, Kenny Sargent and Lugg Nuttz, hosts from the
SpeedFreaks Radio and Television programs, have been elected to its
Board of Directors.

“SpeedFreaks finally found a cause we could really grab a
hold of and make a difference," says Sargent.  "Serendipitously, it was a
charity golf tournament that started the Freaks' wheels to roll after we met
Samiya, Matthew and Eddy, three of the many children America’s Baby Cancer
Foundation's helps from the Kaiser Permanente Hospital ’s Pediatric Cancer
program."

Former NHRA Division 4 Top Alcohol
Dragster Champion Lee Callaway will be able to take the 'interim' off his title
as the newly announced driver of the Torco Race Fuels/Conway Automotive A/Fuel
Dragster. With two final round appearances in as many outings as the 'interim'
driver for the team, the team will continue their pursuit of both the Divisional
and National Championship during this weekend's Division 3 Lucas Oil Drag Racing
Series event at Gateway International Raceway just outside of St.
Louis.

Callaway, from Baytown, Texas, is excited about the opportunity to
drive for Team Owner/Tuner Tom Conway, who not only won last year's National and
Division 4 Championship as a car owner, but two National Championships and eight
Division 4 Championships as a driver.

Crane Technologies Group Inc., of
Daytona Beach, Fla., has been acquired by Mikronite Technologies of Eatontown,
N.J., which provides technology and parts for the aerospace, automotive,
commercial and medical fields, according to a recent press release. The
acquisition will take place within 60 days, subject to shareholder approval.

NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Funny Car points leader Ron Capps, who drives the Brut Dodge Charger R/T Funny
Car for Don Schumacher Racing, will be a guest of Dave Despain on this Sunday's
"Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" on Speed Channel.

NHRA POWERade Pro Stock racer Allen Johnson
confirmed that discussions have taken place in an effort to improve the
performance of Team Mopar even if that meant bringing Shaun Carlson over to the
"other" Mopar camp.

Johnson says details have yet to be finalized.

"There are some things up in the air," Johnson said. "If some
things happen - it will happen for the betterment of all of us. We want the best
for Mopar as I am sure everyone wants. We have always tried to be team players.
We will do what is best for Kevin Miller and Mopar."

After a hugely successful outing
with the Foose Design/Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster driven by Doug Kalitta at the
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event in Las Vegas in April, Chip Foose,
world-renowned custom auto builder and TV celebrity, and hand tools industry
leader Mac Tools are teaming up once again with Kalitta Motorsports, but this
time it will be on two of Team Kalitta’s nitro-fueled, 7,000 horsepower race
cars at the biggest and most prestigious drag racing event in the world - The
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Labor Day
weekend, Aug. 30 - Sept. 4.