Promoters Peter Biondo and Kyle Seipel have announced that to celebrate their 10th year of Fall Flings, the 2019 edition will be called the Fall Fling 500K and will pay the winner $500,000.

The race will be held Sept. 17-21, 2019, at Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway, where the first Fling was held in 2010.

Three auxiliary races, each paying $30,000 to the winner, will bookend the 500K Friday race. The 500K race pre-entry will be capped at 385 entries with no gate entries accepted, and all of the money 100-percent guaranteed. For more information visit www.bracketraces.com.   [09/21/18]

Paul Stephen will be at Mildura, Victoria, Australia’s Sunset Strip Nationals this weekend, Sept. 22-23, looking for a win in Supercharged Outlaws. The Sydney racer is currently second in the points driving his 1933 Dodge coupe and is fully committed to the 2018-19 season.

“After coming runner-up a couple of times and top five many times, my wife Dearne said we could have either another trip to America or go around again to ‘get this out of my system’,” laughed Stephen.

“The boys are back this year and we are not here for runners-up, we are here to bring home some trophies!”    [09/21/18]

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has launched phase one of an urgent response to aftermarket families affected by hurricane Florence.

“Applications for help increased 78% in the wake of last year’s unprecedented hurricane season, so we initiated crisis-response plans last week,” said AACF President Lynn Parker. “Thousands of aftermarket employees live and work in the impact areas. We will be working with our Awareness Partners, SEMA, the Auto Care Association, MEMA and others to try to reach aftermarket families in need as quickly as possible.”

Aftermarket families in need are asked to complete the simple application on the AACF website. Donations can be made online or by calling 772-286-5500.    [09/21/18]

The Agent will be paying close attention to see how the Mopar Factory Stock drivers do at St. Louis after the NHRA added 50 lbs. to their cars. We must admit we like to see those Challengers kick some butt after Chevrolet has dominated the Pro Stock ranks.  (Chris Haverly photo)    [09/21/18]

The Agent just received the weekly Performance Racing Industry newsletter and was happy to see a new seminar, Women in Motorsports, is planned for the PRI Show this December. However, reading the list of panelists, the Agent saw there was only one that had any drag racing experience and that was minor compared to her other racing.

The panel, led by Lyn St. James (former IndyCar driver) includes Cara Adams (IndyCar engineer), Katie Hargitt (IndyCar pit reporter for NBCSN), Shea Holbrook (IMSA driver), and Karen Salvaggio (some NHRA but mostly ALMS and sports cars).

Drag racing probably has more women involved than any other motorsport. Maybe we could find a good spokeswoman to spread the word?   [09/21/18]

JEGS 5 Gauge Dash Panel includes a Speedometer & Tachometer Combo that reads up to 255 mph and features odometer, trip meter, one-button calibration, 0-60 time, 1⁄4 mile ET, and high speed recall; all at the push of a button. Tachometer reads 0-9,900 RPM in 100 RPM increments. Speedometer can be used with the included Ford sending unit. Water Temperature Gauge includes a sending unit and reads 160 degrees to 240 degrees F. Oil Pressure Gauge reads 0-80 psi and the Oil pressure sending unit is included. Voltmeter reads 12-16 volts. Fuel Level Gauge reads Empty to Full in 1/4 increments and works with most existing fuel level sending units set at industry standard 0-90 Ohms.  [09/21/18]