Veteran 500-inch
Pro Stock racer still seeking deal to run 2008

Here’s a point that NHRA
Pro Stock racer Richie Stevens wants to make. Don’t count me out for returning
in 2008.

Stevens isn’t the only one
saying that, either. Reportedly an 11^th hour bid to bring back
longtime associate backer Valspar is in the works. That campaign is being
spearheaded by Valspar team member Randy Tinsley.

“We’ve met with them
through Randy and they didn’t shoot us down, in fact they asked to see a
proposal,” Stevens said. “They want to see some artwork. We’re trying. I’m
hoping a call will come for Christmas.”

Mike Edwards and his program “A Team on a Mission,” continues to
offer the perfect gift to kids around the country. With the support of fellow
racers, business executives, the racing industry, and team owners, joined
forces to raise more than $90,000 in helping send a kid to a Young Life camp.
To date, in only three short years, the “A Team on a Mission” has raised more than $200,000 in
support of kids. 

“This is a gift that will have a lasting impact on
many young kids around the country,” said Edwards. “By working with the racing
family, we are giving hope to many kids that need it the most and letting them
know that people care about their future.”

The "A Team on a Mission" program is set up as a simple
donation format. Edwards and a few of his fellow Pro Stock racers donate the
amount needed to send a kid to a Young Life camp for every round of competition
that he wins during the NHRA POWERade schedule. Fans, racers, and businesses,
can either match Edwards’ contribution to the program, or develop their own
style of donation, which can include a single donation, a set amount per event,
or whatever way they would like.

Allen Johnson just sent us these new pictures of his latest Pro Stock Dodge Stratus.

Last season,
the Evan
Knoll Top Fuel dragster driven by Clay Millican ran two salutes – one
to his oldest daughter Betsy and the rock group RATT and their Back for
More tour.

This year will bring forth
two more. For at least 19 races, Millican will drive the black-themed Torco
Race Fuels flagship, but in at least five events during the 2008 season, he’ll
change the skin on the dragster and promote SinFuel Choppers product line.

If you're sitting in your favorite reclining chair, channel-surfing
and looking for some good off-season drag racing action, here's a heads
up.

Today ESPN2 will showcase the 2007 edition of “NHRA Thrills
& Spills,” a 30-minute special that features the most spectacular
on-track moments from 2007 and past NHRA POWERade Series seasons.

With all the pre-race promotions flowing for the York US 30 Dragway Reunion event, we found this gem on YouTube.com promoting classic drag racing at the strip as well as Beaver Springs. This video can also be purchased at BEE ON VIDEO .

Two-time defending NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion Bill Reichert will
display his Rislone Engine Treatment backed injected nitro dragster at the
upcoming World Drag Expo, Jan. 19-20, at the Schaumburg Convention Center in
Schaumburg, Ill. 


The Rislone dragster will be the centerpiece of the main entrance into the show hall.

The World Drag Expo is one of the premiere trade shows in the
motorsports industry. Clayton Parks, Vice President of Marketing for
Bar's Leaks/Rislone said he is excited to have Reichert's
championship-winning car as the focal point in the prominent exhibit.

Roger Gustin, President of AutoStar Productions, Inc. announced recently that JEGS
has retained the Title Sponsorship of the JEGS Bracket Two Battle at all Super
Chevy Show events in 2008.  JEGS has also
been named presenting sponsor of events in Tucson and Atlanta, as well as the
sponsor of the Monte Carlo Car Class within the TREMEC Transmission Car Show
Series.

Since 1999, Torco's CompetitionPlus.com has offered the spirit of
friendly competition amongst the racing community in a "Best of"
competition. Our readers have assisted us in voting on everything from
the best drag racers to their favorite drag strip to the presigious
Person of the Year. There are also a few new categories. Please cast your vote in this annual tradition.

DOT COM AWARDS BALLOT 

Speaking from the airport in Houston, Texas, Whit Bazemore revealed that he will not be competing on the NHRA circuit in 2008.

“Nothing, actually,” Bazemore said in his standard straight from the
hip style when asked what he might have in the hopper for the coming
season. “It's doesn't look like I will race next year.

“I guess you could say I am taking a sabbatical.”

No tears. No sound of depression. If anything, Whit expressed a feeling
of relief knowing he isn't facing the issues confronting the sport in
2008 that his fellow competitors will not be able to avoid.