BURK, KEPNER INDUCTED AT GIR

Jeff Burk was inducted into the first class of the Gateway International Raceway Hall of Fame during ceremonies on June 1. The leader of Drag Racing Online has been covering racing at “The Swamp” for more than 30 years and even announced for a while back when it was St. Louis International Raceway.

St. Louis native Bret Kepner has announced, raced as “Mr. Dirt” and taken photos at the track for most of his adult life (that’s assuming he ever grew up) and probably knows more about the history of the track than anyone alive. Congratulations to both! (Cher Petrovic photo) [6/2/2008]

GILMAN STEPPING DOWN

The Agent hears that Jay Gilman has resigned as Vice President and General Manager of Pueblo Motorsports Park in Pueblo, CO. The facility is facing a hostile takeover. Will this move keep the present owners in place? We’ll have to see. [6/2/2008]

OH WHAT A FEELING, TOYOTA!

Former world champion Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon was pleased with the progress his Advance Auto Parts race team made in its inaugural outing with the group's slick new Toyota Solara body. Pedregon made five consecutive runs down Heartland Park Topeka.

"Our crew chief Rahn Tobler was focused all weekend on finding the consistency we had at the start of the year," said Pedregon, a 27-time national event winner. "We had a great meeting (Sunday) and we both realized we're in a really good place with the car and the tune-up right now. The plan is to keep doing what we're doing.

Tobler tuned Pedregon to consecutive passes of 5.026, 5.042, 4.988, 4.965, and 5.021 seconds. His Sunday morning pass of 5.021 seconds would have been much quicker -- possibly as good as 4.90 seconds -- had Pedregon not retired early after realizing he had posted a rare red-light start against first-round opponent Ron Capps.

Pedregon pointed to his new Toyota Solara body as one of the reasons the car posted big half-track speed numbers throughout the weekend.

"I'm very impressed with this body," he said. "Obviously, the design speaks for itself. It looks fast just sitting on the ground. The visibility was so good I actually felt a little exposed the first time out there. I have never been in a car where I can see so much. It offers an exceptional view from the driver's seat. It's pretty incredible.” (Ron Lewis photo) [6/2/2008]

GREEN GETS THE ‘GREEN’ AT BAKERSFIELD

At the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, Bakersfield Fuel and Gas
Championships at Famoso Raceway over the weekend, High Speed Motorsports driver Troy Green (far lane) made a 5.749/261.09 MPH lap in his final round victory over Adam Sorokin in the RB Entertainment dragster. This event marked the first time that the new Hoosier Racing Tire 12.00/16 Top Fuel drag slick sat on both finalists in AA/FD competition. Green had qualified in the #2 position with a 5.715 ET at 252.80 mph. We’ll have event coverage tomorrow in DRO. (James Drew photo) [6/2/2008]