INNOVATING IN AUSTRALIA

After winning the Australian Top Bike championship last year Perth’s Jay Upton has had nothing but trouble trying to develop a new Honda head combination. As can be seen here the sparks under the bike are a prelude to a massive explosion that took him out in the first round of racing at the ANDRA Nitro Champs at Western Sydney International Dragway. For complete results see our Race Coverage.  (Jon Van Daal photo) [5/13/2008]

HEY DAD, CAN I BORROW THE CAR?

Dan Wilkerson, the 20-year-old son of NHRA Funny Car points leader Tim Wilkerson, will make his Nitro Funny Car debut May 23-25 at the IHRA Motor City Nationals at Milan (Mich.) Dragway. The elder Wilkerson will be turning the wrenches and making clutch calls on the same car he has driven to two event wins this season.

Dan, the defending NHRA Division 3 AFC champ, got his nitro license last year, but hasn’t driven a nitro car in competition. So is dad nervous about his son borrowing the family car? “I hope I’m not that freaked out about it,” Tim said. “He’s done okay in the alcohol car over the years so I’m not really concerned about it. He has a good head on his shoulders and knows what he’s doing.” [5/13/2008]

COMP CASH REWARDS CONTINUES IN HOUSTON

As the Lucas Oil Drag Racing series rolls into Houston Raceway Park this weekend Comp eliminator racers will continue to earn a stake in one of the largest Comp eliminator purses in NHRA drag racing history.
Comp racers have the opportunity to compete at three of six races in the South Central division to qualify to run for a $25,000 season ending purse at the seventh and final race of the year in the division, at Noble, Okla., in October.
So far 14 drivers have met the requirement of competing at three events, another 10 will probably complete their fulfillment at this weekend’s event, and over four dozen drivers already have a leg up on earning a shot in Noble. With this weekend’s event in Houston, another in Memphis in July and a final qualifying event at Red River Raceway in September, racers from across the country still have the opportunity to earn their berth for the season ending event in Noble.
While the Comp Cash Rewards program is only contested in the South Central division, every Comp racer in the country is invited to attend and pursue the Comp Cash Rewards bonus dollars. [5/13/2008]

OOPS…THAT’S ONE THING NOT LISTED ON THE ROUND SHEETS

A couple of readers let us know that in our coverage of the Comp final at St. Louis, we got too cute with our caption and assumed rather than checked for fact (and you know what assume stands for). Cordis Johnson is the father of Michael Johnson, and therefore is not a “lady” – although if he were female, we’re sure he would be a well-mannered lady who doesn’t hold a grudge. Our sincere apology, Cordis.  (Linda Brock photo) [5/13/2008]