VOLUME XXI,  NUMBER 1 - JANUARY,  2019

NHRA goes ‘outlaw’ at season opener

The Agent was surprised to see an official NHRA press release touting the “Kall Out Kings” making an appearance at the Winternationals. Hoonigan’s Jon Case and Roadkill’s Mike Finnegan will face off two (or three) times in match race competition on Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9, at Pomona.

 

The Agent wonders if the ‘Outlaw Match Race’ will be part of the FOX broadcast since Outlaw drag racing is the most watched drag racing on TV and they might try to ride the Outlaw trend to attract more fans? Also, why not announce to the non-NHRA broadcast fans that the match race will be part of the Winternationals broadcast?

 

Will the addition of “outlaw” racers increase the excitement level or the number of fans in attendance or tuning in? Remains to be seen. [01/23/19]

New owners for Kansas International Dragway

Wichita, KS, area businessmen Donald “JR” Sandlian, David Dockens and Jason Caldwell have acquired Kansas International Dragway and are preparing for the 2019 season.

 

The new owners plan to keep a majority of the KID staff in place and will focus on growing their sportsman racing program, including adding several new events and expanding their Midnight Drags head-up program.  [01/23/19]

Lucas expands backing of Afshar’s Subaru in import drag racing series

Afshar ran 7.22 at the 2016 Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals.

 

Producer Ali Afshar’s ESX Motorsports & Entertainment (Home of the World’s Quickest and Fastest Subaru’s) has announced an expanded sponsorship with Lucas Oil Products in 2019.

 

The Lucas Oil/ESX team will kick off their season, racing an 1800-hp twin turbo Subaru BRZ at the Import Face Off (IFO) Drag Race Series, co-sponsored by Subaru of Glendale, at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, on January 27.

 

Movie producer, actor, race car driver and former high school wrestling standout, Afshar's ESX Entertainment is based on the Warner Bros lot. These days he is best known for producing a slate of movies for his ESX Productions and the newly formed Forrest Films – co-productions with Lucas Oil Founder, Forrest Lucas.

 

The 2019 the Forrest Films slate will include "RIDE" starring rapper/actor Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges; plus action/drama, "Bennett’s War;" romantic drama "Roped;" sports themed "American Fighter" and "Lady Driver;" plus thriller "The Stand at Paxton County;" and "Wheels of Fortune." [01/23/19]

Firefighter launches Funny Car career

Chris King, a 43-year-old fire fighter from Racine, WI, has spent the last 10 years of his 23-year career in Chicago, but now is ready to live the dream he has had since attending Great Lakes Dragaway when he was a kid.

 

King recently completed his nitro license in Paul Richards’ Funny Car tuned by Paul Smith and will begin his dream of being a professional driver. He plans to compete at 10-12 NHRA events this year.

 

"We can't wait to get out there and spread our public-safety message across the country," he said. "Our plan is to hit at least 10 races, but we're open to more if we can find the support and funding. The more people we can get in front of, the more people we can help be fire-safe. That's the goal of The Ronnie Thames Foundation and my goal as firefighter.”

 

The Ronnie Thames Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to helping children and their families that have suffered through a fire.  [01/23/19]

Mickey Thompson returns as NHRA sponsor

Tii Tharpe (far lane) was the 2018 M/T Top Fuel Harley champion taking the final-round win over Doug Vancil.  (Ron Lewis photo)

 

Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels will return as a major event sponsor of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

 

The company will continue as a contingency sponsor for all NHRA sportsman classes as well as Pro Mod and Pro Stock Motorcycle. It is the title sponsor of the Mickey Thompson Tires Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series.

 

MT will also be a Divisional Level Associated Contingency Sponsor of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and will continue its Team M/T program, including champions Dan Fletcher and Luke Bogacki.   [01/23/19]

Spinozzi brothers get first ‘5’

Emilio and Adamo Spinozzi got the 'five-second monkey' off their backs at Sydney Dragway on Saturday, Jan. 19, running a personal best 5.99 second pass in the Speedmaster Chevelle Pro Slammer.

 

Emilio and the Speedmaster team broke through in the second round of competition at the Santo's Summer Thunder event, which was the fourth stop for the 400 Thunder Pro Slammer Championship season.

 

Spinozzi's 6.12 pass in round one couldn't get by a 5.70 from opponent Steven Ham, while event winner Sam Fenech had a 5.65 opposite the Speedmaster Chevelle's 5.99 in round two.

 

Round three saw a turn around with Spinozzi able to muster a messy win over Michelle Davies where both drivers had traction issues early in their runs.

“We were happy to bring home at least the one win, that will keep us very close with Ben Bray in the points battle,” Spinozzi said.  [01/23/19]

Elite Motorsports add Turbosmart to Pro Mod operation

With an eye on outside-the-box and innovative thinking, Steve Matusek and Elite Motorsports’ Pro Mod operation announced a key partnership with Turbosmart, a leading worldwide manufacturer of performance accessories for forced induction vehicles, that will stretch across the entire Elite Motorsports Pro Mod group.

 

On the heels of the recent announcement utilizing Garrett Advancing Motion turbochargers, this represents another major move for Matusek, Elite Motorsports, crew chief Shane Tecklenburg, and Modern Racing’s Justin Elkes as they prepare for the 2019 NHRA Pro Mod season. Tecklenburg’s previous relationship with Turbosmart was instrumental in putting together the deal between the company and Elite Motorsports.   [01/23/19]

New Product of the Day

 

Good Vibrations Supercharger Lifter Kit

This supercharger spacer kit can help with supercharger clearance issues and allow more visibility for the driver. Manufactured from aluminum and highly polished for that show look. Machined 4 inches high with burst panel provision (optional). Includes SFI burst panel, cage kit w/bolts, two gaskets and 8 aluminum studs (6 standard and 2 .500” longer to affix throttle bracket).  [01/23/19]

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