This was spotted in the stands at Las Vegas during the NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals. (Jon Asher photo)

New Mexico resident Johnny Gray was in Las Vegas walking the pits, but
decidedly not “working the pits,” i.e., he wasn’t actively seeking a
ride.  Gray last competed in a Chuck and Del Worsham-owned CSK-backed
machine, but he would not return to action in a similar arrangement
with anyone.

Tim Marshall captured Cory McClenathan's first-round fire opposite of
the returning David Baca. McClenathan was uninjured in the incident.

Relive the glory days of funny cars in the Bar’s Products booth at
AAPEX, where the legendary Chi-Town Hustler will be on display.

The Chi-Town Hustler funny car was made famous on the Midwest
match-racing circuit in the 1970s by Chicago-area racers John Farkonas,
Austin Coil (now John Force’s crew chief) and Pat Minick. The car has
been restored as a tribute to these three men and the spirit of the
years when funny cars ruled the drag strips. It is built on the
original Romeo Palamides chassis, with restored Mini-Charger and
Mustang bodies. It carries a 426-cubic-inch Nitro-burning Hemi engine
built with the outlines of yesterday, but the safety guidelines of
today. The current Chi-Town Hustler is owned and driven by Troy Martin.

J.R. Todd’s being rather circumspect about his plans for the upcoming
season, although he did tell Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com, “I will be at
the race track driving a Top Fuel dragster with Evan Knoll’s name on
the side of it.  I do know that.”

Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has confirmed with Tommy Johnson, Jr. that he's been relieved of his duties as driver for Don Prudhomme Racing. We have confirmed with multiple sources that the sponsorship with Skoal will move over to the dragster for the 2008 season. Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has yet to confirm the sponsorship transferral with DPR at this time.

We'll have more on this developing story as details become available.

UPDATE: Johnson has confirmed that he will drive at the final event of the season next weekend in Pomona. 

Super-tuner Dick LaHaie, who was lured out of retirement by the
blandishments of team owner Connie Kalitta, will return to a quieter
existence after next weekend’s Finals.

Las Vegas’ own “Hot Rod” Fuller completed the best weekend of his
three-year professional career by winning the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA
Nationals to surge back into the POWERade points lead with one race
left in the season.

Fuller's third win of the year in his CAT dragster and sixth of his
career followed a thrilling victory Saturday in the Technicoat Top Fuel
Shootout.

In Funny Car, Tony Pedregon put a stranglehold on the 2007 title chase
with his fourth win of the year in his Q Horsepower Chevy Impala SS,
the 36th of his career and his third in Las Vegas. The other three
racers fighting for the Funny Car title in the Countdown to 1 all lost
in Round 1.

Point standings for the four drivers in each class who have
qualified for the Countdown to 1, following the Seventh annual ACDelco
Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the
22nd of 23 events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series -

Sunday's final results from the Seventh annual ACDelco Las Vegas
NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is
the 22nd of 23 in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series: