Bruton Smith must be smiling right now. Anytime the billionaire businessman can get people talking he's happy and if that talk helps make rumor reality, he's smiling even harder.

Word has it that an international match race will go down in Qatar in December. Reportedly, a Pro Mod match race will pit the Al Anabi team against R2B2 Motorsports, featuring the Sheik Al-Thani against successful American businessman and Pro Mod driver Roger Burgess.

It is said the special race will be contested for healthy pot of gold. The program could also include nitro cars.

Don’t be surprised if the GM Pro Stock teams encounter some serious supply issues by the time the NHRA’s championship battle whittles down to the final phase of the Countdown.

Reportedly, a number of teams once supported by the now bankrupt manufacturer are concerned that a shortage of critical parts, ie. blocks and heads, could impede their performances when the championship comes down to the line.

Could there be another female Pro Stock racer on the tour in 2010? CompetitionPlus.com has learned that Nicole Lyons, an NHRA Division 7 sportsman racer, has had conversations with a major player on the NHRA Full Throttle tour about driving as part of a multi-car team.

A source close to the situation confirmed to CompetitionPlus.com that past U.S. Nationals Funny Car champion and record holder Mike Ashley will return to the nitro ranks during the last four events of the season. We are told that Ashley will begin licensing procedures for Top Fuel following the NHRA Nationals in Charlotte, N.C.

A solid source tells CompetitionPlus.com that the IHRA, and their Pro Stock sponsor Elite Motorsports, are toying with the idea of a professional small block, electronic fuel injected Pro Stock division. Reportedly the concept is high on the priority list for 2010. We are also told the cars will come awful close to what is being produced out of Detroit. Could we see a class chock full of cars similar the Shelby Cobra Steve Matusek runs in the NHRA's Comp eliminator? 

CompetitionPlus.com has learned that problems gathering parts has pushed the NHRA's nitro test to the Monday following the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. The first of what is expected to be many tests was originally scheduled for the day after the Chicago event but was then moved up to St. Louis. The purpose of the test, according to a source at the NHRA, is to gather data aimed at "knocking some speed off of the nitro cars". Based on the weather forecast for the St. Louis event, moving the test might not be a bad idea.

A source close to the situation has told the NHRA's highly rumored new engine combination will be tested by Funny Car racer Tim Wilkerson. An NHRA official told CompetitionPlus.com this past weekend that this combination is far from being considered "spec" but provides a good starting point for the NHRA to reduce horsepower in an attempt to return quarter-mile nitro racing.

CompetitionPlus.com has learned that Courtney Force, one of John Force's three daughters in competition, will soon debut new major sponsorship on the side of her A/Fuel Dragster. Ms. Force will carry the branding of Sanyo's Supercharged HD promo for at least five races in 2009. Could this be a ramp-up for Top Fuel? Time will tell on this one.

In other interesting Force news, a source close to the situation told CompetitionPlus.com that older sister Ashley Force Hood recently made laps in the A/Fuel Dragster in Courtney's absence.