The Straightline Strategy Group, a marketing and management company specializing in drag racing entities, announced the formulation of a marketing alliance group that includes racers from a broad range of professional classes. Joining the marketing alliance include Matt Hartford with his Total Seal Pro Stock Camaro, Paul Lee and his McLeod Nitro Funny Car, No-Prep Kings/Street Outlaw Chevrolet racer Jeff Lutz, and Janette Thornley with her AMRA Pro Fuel Harley-Davidson.

Paul Lee  (DRO file photo)

Paul Lee will compete in the 2019 Mello Yello NHRA Nitro Funny Car category under the management umbrella of the Straightline Strategy Group with Jim Oberhofer named as Crew Chief.

“Our first order of business was securing a highly talented Crew Chief and are pleased that Jim accepted that position” said SSG Partner Doug Stringer. Oberhofer will initially assist Mike Kloeber, Crew Chief on the Parts Plus, Strutmasters.com Top Fuel Dragster until he transitions into his main role as Crew Chief on the Paul Lee entry.

Oberhofer, who last tuned the Hennen Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster driven by Kebin Kinsley, had previously been an executive at Kalitta Motorsports with a 30+ year stint.  (DRO file photo)

On the administrative side of things, industry veteran Steven Cole has joined Straightline Strategy Group (SSG) as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. Cole brings over 25 years of marketing experience to SSG and will be handling corporate marketing efforts with SSG Partner, Scott Gardner. Prior to joining SSG, Cole worked for John Force Racing as Vice President, Sales.  Prior to that, Cole served as a Senior Director of Sales at the International Hot Rod Association as well as at Action Performance Companies, Inc., as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and PR. In addition, he has prior experience working in professional sports marketing agencies and player management groups within NFL, NHL, and minor league baseball. (DRO file photo)

Misty Starkweather has been appointed Director of Hospitality and Guest Services. Starkweather owned “Home Maid” for 19 years, a full-service cleaning company voted #1 several times in cleaning services. In addition, Starkweather worked as a staff member with the lighting and audio crew for the IHRA Nitro Jam Tour before working as the lead in hospitality at an NHRA national event facility.   [12/07/18]

In February, Ford Performance Parts announced the creation of the Bob Glidden “85/10” Award, intended for recipients who share the same grit and determination that the legendary racer embodied. On Thursday, at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, Ford Performance Parts presented the inaugural award to longtime Mustang Cobra Jet pilot John Calvert.

“I’m so honored to have been selected as the first recipient of the Bob Glidden 85/10 Award,” said Calvert. “I feel as though Ford Motor Company and Ford Performance, while helpful and generous to all, welcomed me into their family.”

Born in Lancaster, California on April 22, 1951, Calvert credits his love for speed to the lead-foot nurturing of his mother. He started out racing his own car in demolition derbies and dirt ovals before finally settling into drag racing. Calvert entered his first Winternationals in 1975 and by 1991 was an NHRA National Champion in the Stock division.

Calvert continued racing, racking up numerous additional final round appearances, including Winternationals wins in 1995 and 1996. He also started a business manufacturing leaf spring suspensions and prepping race cars. In 2009, he prepared and drove Brent Hajek’s second-generation Mustang Cobra Jet at the Winternationals, painted to honor the 1968 car that Al Joniec captured the first Cobra Jet win in. History repeated itself, Calvert captured the win and ignited a fire in the sportsman stock class culture.

“There will never be another Bob Glidden, it’s true, but we couldn’t be more pleased to have racers like John Calvert continue his legacy with Ford,” said Eric Cin, global director, Ford Performance Parts. “A family man who has definitely earned his own place in both Ford Motor Company and drag racing history, John is the perfect choice for our first recipient of the 85/10 Award.”

“Bob was such an inspiration to me, both personally and professionally, and to now have my name associated with such a legend is truly humbling,” added Calvert. “I hope that this award will inspire other Ford racers to even greater heights in the future.”  [12/07/18]

VP Racing Fuels, Inc., has introduced their new STAY FROSTY™ Race-Ready (shown) and High-Performance coolants. “STAY FROSTY is a proprietary coolant formulated for engines that require additional protection from overheating,” said Andy Deel, Division Manager – VP Consumer Products. “In street and off-road uses, operating temperatures are reduced by up to 25° F compared to the conventional glycol-based coolants. For race applications, the ready to use STAY FROSTY race formula can reduce temperatures by as much as 100°F, and since there’s no glycol, track surfaces won’t get slippery if there’s a spill or leak.”   [12/07/18]