Finally, entertainment has come back to the Rock or  ‘Is Don King in the house?’

Normally we charge for ads like this, but we’re making an exception in this case. Our pal Steve Earwood at Rockingham Dragway must have hired former Charlotte NASCAR promoter “Humpy” Wheeler -- either that or he is channeling P.T. Barnum these days.

This weekend at “The Rock” the headliners include “The Thriller,” “The Beast from the East,” “Timber the Insane Lumberjack,” “Chief Red Thunder,” Dylan Gage, Alex Adonis, “The Lumbee Warrior,” Jack Hammer and  “Berserko.”

Ah, to be at the Rock on the nation’s birthday when insanity reigns and men are drinking clear fluids from Mason jars.  Jet cars, Pro Wrestling, “Berserko” Bobby Doerrer, and a Christian rock band with the appropriate for the 4th of July name of “Fire for Effect!” What could go wrong?

Gates open Friday at 6 p.m. with the “racin’ and rasslin’” program starting at 7 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Adult admission is just $20 with junior tickets, for kids six-to-16, only $5. Children under six are admitted free with a ticketed adult. There is a $5.00 discount coupon off adult admission available on the dragway’s website at www.rockinghamdragway.com. Beee therrrre! [7/2/2009]

Bluebaugh adds horses in mid-stream

Bluebaugh Racing’s Team Magna Fuel will take a chance with a new engine combination in mid-season. The Monte Carlo will move up to a 780 c.i. engine with four stages of nitrous.

Crew Chief Deborah Woodard and the team will begin testing next week with barely time to spare before driver Kelly Bluebaugh is due to compete in Bakersfield later this month.

Teammate and fellow Pro Street rookie Joe Alsworth advanced funding for the new engine. Bluebaugh will sell the Fulton 728 engine currently powering the car to help defray the cost of the new engine as Alsworth continues to refine his skill. (James Drew photo)  [7/2/2009]