FORCE, SCHUMACHER NAMED TO AARBA ALL-AMERICA TEAM
John Force and Tony Schumacher were the drag racers among 17 drivers from six different racing disciplines selected to the 2006 Auto Racing All-America team by the membership of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.
The other AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team, 2006 first team members are Sebastien Bourdais, Sam Hornish Jr., Open Wheel; Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Stock Car; Jorg Bergmeister, Rinaldo Capello/Allan McNish, Scott Pruett/Luis Diaz, Road Racing; Donny Schatz, Josh Wise, Short Track; Todd Bodine, Frank Kimmel, Tour Series; J.R. Hildrebrand, Travis Pastrana, At-Large.
A record number of drivers earned first team recognition because five were selected from a road racing category in which multiple drivers share duties in the same race car.
Drag racers on the second team were NHRA Top Fuel standout Doug Kalitta, IHRA Top Fuel champion Clay Millican and NHRA Pro Stock Champ Jason Line.
The All-American team members will be recognized at the AARWBA banquet at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Indianapolis on Saturday, Jan. 13. [12-6-2006]
SUPER CHEVY SHOW ADDS KANSAS CITY EVENT
AutoStar Productions, producer of the nationwide circuit of Super Chevy Shows, has reached an agreement with Kansas City International Raceway to host an event, August 17-19, 2007.
A Super Chevy Show includes sportsman bracket racing, The Tremec car show series, manufacturer’s midway, swap meet, and car corral. The pro show features 230-mph Nitro Coupes, 300-mph jet cars, wheelstanders and other race cars.
AutoStar President, former jet car driver Roger Gustin said, “I raced at Kansas City International Raceway for many years. We have wanted to bring out Super Chevy Show to Kansas City; it is a great market and we look forward to an outstanding event.” [12-6-2006]
NITRO NEWS AND NOTES
The Agent hears that Don Prudhomme had his Top Fuel car in a wind tunnel near Toronto, Canada, getting ready for the 2007 season. Prudhomme has reportedly told a few people that he will have deal for the 2007 season.
Paul Romine has kept his Top Fuel license current and told the Agent that if the right deal comes along he still wants to get an NHRA “Wally” before he hangs up the firesuit for good.
The Agent heard from a source that Andrew Cowin won’t be returning to drive the Serta-backed Top Fuel car and that team may not return at all for 2007. So far this is just a rumor.
One crew chief told the Agent that one of the new rules for Top Fuel will be that the windscreen will have to extend at least a half-inch above the top of the driver’s visor and, that as he understood it, this was supposed to keep stuff from hitting the driver. Are they kidding? What is a piece of plexiglass going to stop on cars that can exceed 280 mph at the eighth mile?
Congrats to Jeff Arend and condolences to Phil Burkart. Arend will bring Erie Educational Services as a major associate sponsor to the Worsham’s blue CSK-sponsored car. [12-6-2006]
