:::::: News ::::::

KALITTA TRIBUTE STICKERS

kalitta_tribute_decal.jpgThe 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 - "MEANING OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP"

7-1-08scottpalmer.jpgScott 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.

T-PED - "MARKETING WITH IMG"

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 KYLE FICKLER ASSUMES POSITION AS CHAIRMAN-ELECT OF THE SEMA MFG. COUNCIL

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.

MOPAR BIG BLOCK PARTY KICKS OFF NHRA MOPAR MILE HIGH NATIONALS

mopar_party.jpgThe 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.

HARVEY WINS PIEDMONT DRAGWAY'S POWERJAM

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.

ATHEY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

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.

MMP'S BIG EVENT THIS WEEKEND

Montgomery Motorsports Park promoter Jim Howard has opened up the purse
strings for this weekend’s (7/4-6) Mullis Super 7 Series event.  Howard
has invited Footbrake racers to buy a weekend spectator pass for ONLY
$40 and race for up to $5,000 each day Saturday and Sunday (minimum of
50 cars).  Pro racers will vie for $10,000 each day (if a minimum of 90
cars enter).

YORK AND THE EVOLUTION OF DRAG RACING

In the early days of drag racing on the East Coast one race track stood out from all the rest and that was York US 30 Dragway
operating on an active runway in Thomasville.
 
The airport was closed to daily flight activity when the races were
scheduled and cars from far and wide came to the "diamond in the rough"
in York.  Occasional necessary flights would stop racing activity until
the aircraft could leave the airport or arrive from distant areas.
 
The York US 30 Dragway contributed more to the evolution of early day
drag racing than any other Eastern race track and became the track that
everyone that was anyone in drag racing had to lay claim to competing
at one time or another in their storied careers could say "I was at
York". It is a fact that stands in drag racing history.
 
These memories are relived the second weekend of July every year at the York Expo Center, York Fairgrounds, Toyota Arena
with this year's presentation of the 7th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion.

1320X DRAG RACING FREEDOM FEST - JULY 5

On July 5th, Rockingham Dragway will host the 5th Annual Freedom Fest
with a new series of festival-style events combining grassroots drag
racing with classic rock ‘n’ roll. Created by the producers of the hit
Speed series PINKS, 1320x is an all-day celebration of the American
muscle car and is presented by Ellerbe Telephone Communications and RBC
Bank.

Along with the heart- pounding excitement of heads-up, outlaw, and
bracket racing, the event will feature the Classic Gear Jammers circuit
and a car show— capped by a concert by popular local groups "Twisted
Motive" and “Zephyr’s End”.

“The American muscle car— Fords, Chevys and Mopars—represents freedom,
and it has propelled freedom around the world,” said Stephen Pullin,
executive producer and president of Pullin TV. “And, there is no better
place than Rockingham Dragway to celebrate these great cars and launch
the 1320x brand.”

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