Rumors, Facts and Tidbits

Nov. 22, 2004

No John Force announcement today on the third driver replacing the departed Gary Densham. It is expected that son in-law Robert Height will have the seat. But it could be good buddy Ron Capps.

Jeg Couglin confirmed that he will be one of the drivers for Don Schumacher's Pro Stock team. Bob Glidden is the team manager/engine builder and crew chief. Backing to come from Jegs's Mail Order.

Warren Johnson did not have alot of praises for the NHRA on the Speed Freaks TV radio show, as he basically said that the current management team is not likely able to manage any company properly for more that 24 hours, little-own the NHRA. He stated the NHRA has to get to the next level and the current regime is not the one to do that.

Nov. 19, 2004

(Ron Capps)........is rumored to team up with the other 'Don' and his mega racing team. Don Schumacher is expected to sign Capps and has already hired Ed McCullough to tune the car. The rumored sponsor is 'Faberge' (Brut Cologne).

Contrary to reports that Salt Lake would host a Sport National event which could include the AMS series, word from Division 6 Director Mike Rice is that in fact they will not have a race at least in 2005, due to conflicting dates and a lack of space (which they are working of for the future). The date they wanted for the event was a conflict with both Division 6 and Division 5 which are hosting Lucas Oil series events on the said weekend, which are two of the four divisions which would feed this event. Division 1 or 4 is the likely spot for the next Sports National event. The west coast will likely have on in 2006.

One of the rule changes in the TAD class is the A/Fuel cars getting dropped down to 96%.

The new AMS/TLR pro mod series has big announcements here

 

Nov. 16, 2004

Bud Park renovation is well under way. Go here for photos and the story. Great to see the work going into the track. If Calgary's management would go to the effort as well, it would be a very successful track.

Nov 8 - Nov. 14, 2004 Rumors, Facts and Tidbits

Brainerd International Raceway and Resort could be closed?..... turned into condos/golf course!!!

Could Brainerd be out of the loop as early as next year. Word has it that the three main executives of the Minnesota facility were let go in the last few days. President Bill Singletary, BIR GM Scott Quick, and manager Tim Burns were all released. We'll stay on this deal.

Along the same vane, is word of a bill passed in New Jersey with regards to noise bylaws covering all racing in the state, Englishtown, Atco and other facilities will be affected. New start times according to the bill is "no earlier than 11.00 am any day of the week, and no later than 10:00pm every day except Sunday which would be 7:00 pm".

Warren Johnson announced Today that 2005 would be his last year in the seat of the GM Performance Parts Pontiac Grand Am. No word on a replacement yet. The 2005 tour will be called the, "Schools Out Tour".

The Darrell Russell Auction Saturday night earned in excess of $270,000. All proceeds go to the wife (Julie) and family of Darrell Russell.

Shawn Gann was DNQ'ed from Pro Stock Bike competition this weekend for a fuel infraction. Was reportedly fined 1,000 as well.

Which driver will be out at the Snake camp. Rumor has it that Ron Capps will be in a Force car in 2005, it is more likely that Force will have son-in law Robert Hieght in the third Funny Car. Maybe Capps will be in a Dragster for Force, or possibly a third or fourth Funny Car for Don Schumacher

Doug Herbert and Joe Amato are rumored to be exploring the possibility of running together as a two car team in 2005.

Rumor had it that Don Schumacher was thinking of switching to either the Buell or Harley for the 2005 season, but Don stated that they were getting a very good handle on the Suzuki and were NOT changing (Don has put spins on his statements in the past, and being that Harley/Buell are American and the bike portion is sponsored by the American Army, it seems likely to me).

Jerry Toliver's multi year deal is said to be over with Schick. A number of team members were said to be looking for work already.

ESPN's Bill Stephens will not be back in 2005 for the ESPN NHRA telecasts. "The rumors are true. I won't be back with the NHRA national event crew next year. There are several reasons for my resignation but primarily, the time away from home has been a big one. I have been living on the road for 10 months out of the year since 1994. I absolutely love my job and for a motorhead, it doesn't get any better. But my wife, Debby, and two sons, Billy and Sean, really miss having me around and that's been a bummer for me". He will be back with the parent company Masters Entertainment is some capacity.

The AMS Pro Mod series in 2005 will be called the TLR/AMS Pro Mod series. It will be an 10-12 race schedule including an eight race National event schedule and a 2-4 race regional or sportsman national event schedule. 16 car fields, a purse of between 7,500 and 10,000 to win as well as a substantial point fund. It will have rules that will not allow the cross over from IHRA to the AMS deal. 29% OD, 2600 lbs. with 50 lbs added for 63 Corvettes and 100 lbs added for newer body styles. They are supposed to be allowing unlimited cubic inches for the nitrous cars and more systems allowed and a lower minimum weight as well. Also Turbo-Charged cars will be part of the series, and it will be invitational again. Rumor has it that Jim Halsey and a couple others are building or have built the bigger engine and have had optimistic results on the dyno. I don't believe that rumor, and have been told that all the big hitters such as Jenkins, Castellana, Rickie Smith, Dennis Radford, Harold Martin and Ed Steffy will not return to the series.

Division 6 Pro Stock competitor JR Carr is working hard on having Greg Stanfield on the team in a second car for the entire 2005 season.

In talking to one of the premier Super Stock Hemi team owners, word has it that there are discussions with the sanctioning body to run a few exhibition shoot-outs including TV coverage, along the line of the AMS deal. We all know there is ample financing on the part of a few of the teams involved to make this rumor very possible.

Bill Glidden will run the Don Schumacher Pro Stock operation that will probably include two cars, with one driver being Jeg Couglin. Steve Schmidt has left the side of Bob Glidden and has gone back to running a brand new engine shop.