Expect a decision within the next ten days from Don Schumacher as to whether he will keep Jack Beckman in his record-setting Funny Car or move him to Top Fuel. Sources indicate that Schumacher is seriously torn as to which direction to go. We are hearing the largest sticking point is that Schumacher is not keen on taking Beckman away from a crew that is performing really well, not to mention the fact the team just set the world record.

The popular word is that a third Toyota flopper could join Scott
Kalitta and soon-to-be-announced Jerry Toliver in the research and
development group. If this story pans out, it could mean that at least
one single-car Funny Car operation could have some partners to battle
against the multi-car Ford, Mopar and GM efforts.

Multiple sources have indicated that NHRA Funny Car driver Mike Ashley
will make his long-awaited announcement regarding his future in the
class during the first day of qualifying in Pomona. The announcement is
expected to detail his departure from Don Schumacher Racing, who has
managed the team since July. The popular rumor is that Ashley will
field his own team with backing from Evan Knoll and Knoll will dissolve
his ownership of the Funny Car team.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Scotty Cannon will return to competition in 2007 behind the wheel of Evan Knoll's Top Fuel dragster. The word is that he will run the full IHRA schedule with a few stops on the NHRA tour. No word yet on the tuner yet, but most likely it will be a current established runner. We'll have more on this as it develops.

Sources indicate that the American Drag Racing League will host an event in Norwalk, Ohio. The kicker, from what we hear, is this event will be hosted on the weekend previously reserved for the World Nationals - August 24 - 25.

The word floating around is that ESPN2 will soon announce plans for a show that will be hosted by Tommy Johnson Jr., and Melanie Troxel. This is said to be ESPN's equivalent to PINKS on Speed. The car owners will race for titles and have the ability to bring their winnings back the next week. The show will be called "King of the Streets." The action will be filmed at Bristol Dragway.

A reliable source has confirmed that newly christened TAD licensed driver Kate Harker will drive for veteran team owner Tom Conway during this weekend's NHRA divisional in Las Vegas. Lee Callaway will return in Pomona as the driver.

Sources have indicated that the NHRA will announce a new sponsor for the event in Norwalk, Ohio. The event was previously hosted by National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio with Pontiac and General Motors as the title sponsor. Now that title will be held by Summit Racing Equipment.

We reported a little over a month that tensions were strained between the sanctioning body and a GM representative over the way the switch was handled. This move should confirm many suspicions.

Don't expect Andrew Cowin to be using the Serta Sheep line anymore. The second-generation Aussie driver was relieved of his duties by team owner Scott Griffin following the IHRA season-ending event in Rockingham. If what we've been told by reliable sources is true, a full-time driver on the NHRA tour will drive Griffin's car in the non-conflicting events.

Those that we asked close to ESPN2 are keeping quiet, but the reliable
word that we are hearing is that former Indy 500 announcer turned drag
racing commentator Paul Page will return for all 23 NHRA races in 2007.