IHRA CHANGES 2 RACE DATES
Due to a schedule conflict with one of their event sponsors, the IHRA has changed the dates next year for their events at Grand Bend, Ontario, and Epping, NH. The MOPAR Canadian Nationals will now be held July 20-22 at Grand Bend Motorplex and the Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway moves to Aug. 10-12. [11-8-2006]
JUST A LITTLE KISS
Don Berstley's giant wheelstand at the PSCA Finals in Fontana, CA, resulted in him losing control and denting the guard rail hard enough that track manger Dave Danish got a Caterpillar to move the cement rail back in place. For complete results of the race, see our Lead Story. (James Drew photo) [11-8-2006]
SUMMIT TO SPONSOR INAUGURAL RACE AT NORWALK
The NHRA sent out a press release announcing that Summit Racing Equipment has signed on to be the primary sponsor of the inaugural NHRA Nationals at Norwalk Raceway Park in Norwalk, Ohio. But last week Bill Bader Jr. announced that the performance automotive parts and equipment marketing company had signed on for naming rights to NHRA’s newest track. So, the Agent guesses that the June 28-July 1 event will be known as the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Raceway Park. Kinda rolls trippingly off the tongue, doesn’t it? [11-8-2006]
KUCH JOINS HERBERT TEAM
Doug Kuch joined the crew of Doug Herbert’s Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster at the recent NHRA event in Las Vegas.
Kuch (pronounced Cook), a native of Ohio, has an extensive background in drag racing. The 48-year-old began in 1987, working for Eric Reed and crew chief Lance Larsen. The next year Kuch went to work on the Budweiser King with crew chief Dale Armstrong. His next job was a five-year stint working on and off for Darrell Gwynn and crew chief Ken Veney.
In 1996, Kuch started running the Top Fuel car for Danny Dunn and Glen Camp on the IHRA tour. Kuch spent two seasons working for Top Fuel driver Bruce Litton (2003-04) before becoming part of the package in a turn key purchase of one of Litton's cars by Doug Foley. He spent the 2004 season working for both drivers. In 2005, Kuch went to work full time for Foley, tuning him to IHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 2005 and a runner-up finish in Top Fuel in 2005 and 2006. Kuch joined Doug Herbert Racing at this season's second Las Vegas event and Herbert saw immediate results, enjoying his best qualifying effort since Englishtown. (Bill Waters photo) [11-8-2006]
