SPEED TV has revised the show times for the four hours of coverage it's
devoting to the fourth annual Whelen Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge.
The first race will begin airing at noon, Jan. 18, with the second show
starting at 4 p.m., Jan. 25.

While the usual testing venues in Gainesville, Fla., and Valdosta,
Ga., were in the midst of a southeastern freeze, the newly rennovated
Palm Beach International Raceway in south Florida was just the right
temperature for some of the leading nitro racers. CompetitionPlus.com
contributor Bill Walters will be on hand with all the action over the
course of the weekend. Our veteran lensman Roger Richards will be there as well with a
full gallery posted.

Recognizing the tough times currently faced by our fans across the
country, and their desire to continue to enjoy the thrill and
excitement of attending NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events,
NHRA has announced several fan relief programs for the 2009 season
including reduced priced general admission tickets, children 12 and
under free, and a military appreciation offer. 

The fan relief program will be available at all NHRA company owned
facilities in Pomona, Gainesville, Atlanta and Indianapolis, as well as
at additional participating national event tracks.  The program will
begin with the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, with details on
subsequent events to be announced after the season opener.

At the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona, Feb. 5-8, NHRA has announced $20 adult general admission
tickets in a special section of the west-side spectator grandstand.  
The $20 ticket is available through advance purchase only, on a
first-come first-serve basis, by calling (800) 884-NHRA and mentioning
“fan relief offer” when ordering to take advantage of the discount. 
NHRA is making available 1,500 tickets per day at the $20 price,
representing a total of 6,000 tickets for the four-day event.

ADRL officials have announced today that nitromethane injected
big-block engines – commonly referred to as A/Fuel motors – will be
legal for use in the National Guard ADRL Pro Extreme class beginning in
2009.
 
"I think this is something that will be real exciting for the fans,"
said Bubba Corzine, ADRL Vice President of Competition. "Watching the
flames rise over the roof of the car at night will bring a whole new
level of excitement to the ADRL."

Top
Fuel racer Darren Morgan wants to make his comeback this Friday and
Saturday in the best possible fashion – with a win at round two of the
ENZED International Nightfire New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway.

Morgan and his crew have built his new Rocket Industries/Wicked Quick
dragster from scratch to have it ready for a test run today ahead of
tomorrow’s qualifying, less than three weeks after the Boxing Day crash
that saw his Top Fuel machine completely destroyed in Sydney.

Morgan walked away with no injuries except a briefly sore finger, but
the team has had a long haul ahead of them to get the new car built and
the accompanying parts inventory together for their Willowbank Raceway
assault this weekend - today proving they have risen to the task.

NHRA Pro Stock Car Owner/Driver and retired NBA player Tom Hammonds is
credited as guest contributor for February 2009 Ebony's column "For
Brothers Only."  "For Brothers Only" is a monthly column that shares
motivational life messages and experiences aimed at male readers. 

"When Ebony approached me with the opportunity to write an
inspirational piece for "For Brothers Only," it was a no-brainer," said
a reflective Hammonds.  "Once again, I am very excited to be able to
share encouraging words, as it pertains to my life's experiences in a
publication that is a staple in American and African American heritage."

Mike Ashley Racing (MAR) has acquired the racing assets of the Matco
Tools Top Fuel team from 3B Racing it was announced today. Antron Brown
will continue to drive the Matco-backed rail. It also was announced
that Matco Tools has extended its partnership with MAR through the 2010
NHRA season.

“Our entire organization will provide Matco and our marketing partners
with a first-class hospitality and activation program, coupled with a
winning on-track performance,” Ashley said. “Our immediate goal is for
an easy transition as we are right around the corner from the start of
the season. I will make changes to be announced that I believe give our
team the best chances at long term success. Our goal is to compete for
the NHRA Full Throttle championship in 2009. Antron (Brown) will remain
as our driver and I am proud to have him represent Mike Ashley Racing.
He has been an overall winner for Matco Tools.”

Brown, an 18-time NHRA winner, including two Top Fuel wins last season,
returns to pilot the bright blue Matco Tools dragster that will now be
tuned by co-crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, the 1984 NHRA
Funny Car champion. Among the assets changing hands include the entire
Top Fuel operation, support trailer, Iron Eagle Club hospitality unit,
and the team’s striking Brownsburg, Ind. race shop. The team will begin
its preparation for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on
Jan. 23 during the National Time Trials at Firebird International
Raceway near Phoenix. Brown will continue to make Votech school
appearances or participate in tool truck rides with Matco distributors
prior to each race.

Rookie Driver from UAE will Attempt A-Fuel Dragster License

Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing, a new two-car NHRA Full Throttle Drag
Racing team, will debut this weekend at Palm Beach International
Raceway in West Palm Beach, Fla. in a three-day test session starting
tomorrow, it was announced today.

The team will start the test session with Larry Dixon’s Top Fuel team
on Friday.  Del Worsham’s Funny Car will begin testing on Saturday, and
both cars will be on the track Sunday, Jan. 18.  It is a closed test
session, with only invited teams permitted on the grounds. Among the
invited teams are Don Schumacher Racing, team owner Alan Johnson’s
former team, Tim Wilkerson Racing and Kallita Racing.  Both Alan
Johnson Al-Anabi Racing entries will also test in Phoenix next weekend.

Don Schumacher confirmed today that Mike Green will be the crew chief
on the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by six-time NHRA champion
Tony Schumacher in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Schumacher also confirmed that Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler will be
co-crew chiefs on the FRAM Top Fuel dragster piloted by Cory
McClenathan. Assisting Green will be Neal Strausbaugh, Green's
"sidekick" for several years, including 2008 on the FRAM team.

Green joined Don Schumacher Racing in November 2007 for the 2008 NHRA
season as crew chief on the FRAM dragster, reuniting with McClenathan,
who drove the Joe Gibbs-owned dragster Green tuned in the late '90s.
The pair collaborated to win 12 races from the second half of 1997
through the first half of 1998. In 2008, Green tuned the FRAM dragster
to a third-place points finish for the year, including one victory in
three final rounds.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Green. "We have a great
organization here at Don Schumacher Racing, where we share information
among the teams. And with Phil and Todd working on Cory Mac's FRAM car,
I know both teams will benefit from each other's input. Our goal is to
win another championship for DSR, and maybe we can make it a one-two
finish at the end of the year."