WINTERS DIES UNEXPECTEDLY

Mickey Winters, long-time tuner, crew chief and well-known Texas drag racer, was found dead of an apparent heart attack at his home in Hurst, Texas on Feb. 8. Winters, 65, had tuned for Top Fuel and alcohol Funny Car teams such as the Stidham Brothers, Frank Cook's Drag-On Vega, and the Bad Moon Rising Funny Car. He leaves a son, Cody, age 13, seen here with his father in a 1998 file photo by Jeff Burk.

The funeral will be held Friday, Feb. 13. Arrangements are pending. [2-9-2004]

McCLENATHAN TO BE A CARRIER

Cory Mac has pulled it off again, getting a ride right before the season starts. This time the veteran driver has signed a multi-year contract to drive for the Carrier Boyz Racing Top Fuel team. McClenathan brings his Berryman Products sponsorship with him.

"These last minute deals are heart-stoppers, but I feel I've finally found a home with Andy and Mark and Carrier Boyz Racing," said McClenathan.

The team will test at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before beginning the NHRA POWERade season at Pomona. Jimmy Walsh is crew chief. [2-9-2004]

WORSHAM RACING'S THIRD CAR

Things will be jumping again in the Worsham Racing pit at the Winternationals when a third car driven by World Finals runner-up Cory Lee makes its laps. The car sat as it last raced, ready-to-run and awaiting some funding from Lee, but, according to a team source

ADVERTISEMENT

at Phoenix, it will be at Pomona joining Del Worsham and Phil Burkart Jr. (Zak Hawthorne photo) [2-9-2004]

RACERS 'TESTY' ABOUT FIREBIRD TRACK PREP

The racers weren't shy about making comments on the condition of Firebird International Raceway during the Phoenix test session just completed. (See our Notes from Phoenix in Race Coverage.) To say they were not happy might be an understatement. It seems to the Agent that if a track is going to offer professional teams a test session, the surface should be prepped to professional standards. It does no good for the teams or the track when it is otherwise. [2-9-2004]