ACE IS OUT

Don Prudhomme Racing announced Aug. 4, that Ed "Ace" McCulloch, crew chief of the Skoal Green Racing Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car driven by Ron Capps, has been relieved of his duties effective immediately.

Tuning responsibilities of the "Green Team" have been assigned to current assistant crew chief Todd Okuhara. Snake Racing will evaluate Okuhara's abilities in this new role, and will also consider other opportunities before officially naming a new crew chief for Capps.

"I wish Ed the best of luck in the future," Prudhomme said. "However, right now our main focus is to restore consistency and competitiveness to the Skoal Green team. Ron has done an excellent job driving no matter what the circumstances. Now it is our job to give him a better horse to ride, as we try to win races and work toward capturing our first NHRA POWERade Funny Car championship."

Capps currently sits sixth in the Funny Car standings and has one victory (Phoenix) in two final round appearances this season. (photo by Darr Hawthorne) [8-5-2003]

IHRA MAKES TOP FUEL 'SWEET 16'

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Since the adoption of NHRA's rules at the beginning of this year, the IHRA has seen an increase in the number of Top Fuel dragsters at events. For the Aug. 21-24 World Nationals at Norwalk Raceway Park, the class will become a 16-car field, a first for the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series.

With the larger field, the payout will increase as well, with $30,000 to the winner; $15,000 to runner-up; $12,000 to semi-finalists; $10,000 to quarter-finalists; and $8,000 for first round.

Let's see if Clay Millican gets a bit more competition for his domination of the class.
[8-5-2003]

BESWICK BURNED AT MISSOURI TRACK

Arnie "the Farmer" Beswick is currently in the burn unit of St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri and is in critical condition according to a hospital spokesman. The 73-year-old drag racing legend was racing his nitrous oxide-injected GTO at the Nostalgia event at Mid-America Raceway in Wentzville, MO, which is just west of St. Louis about 30 miles.

According to eyewitnesses, Beswick's car had completed a pass with the engine popping and banging. After he pulled off of the racetrack there was an explosion. The eyewitnesses told DRO that the on-track crew used two fire extinguishers trying to put out the fire before Beswick was pulled from the car by a couple of local racers. DRO will keep you posted on Beswick's condition. [8-5-2003]