Front RunnersNHRA's thriving Summit Racing Sports Compact division, a series which is entering it's sixth year of existence, will once again feature some impressive Mopar machinery.
North Carolina's Darrell Cox and his driver Mike Crawford are scheduled to run a spectacular Mopar-sponsored Dodge SRT-4 in the series' Hot Rod division. The duo were solid Championship contenders the last two seasons, finishing second and fourth in points respectively.
"We have a new race car and an entirely new setup for the front end," Crawford revealed. "We also have a new cylinder head and motor program that has looked really good on the dyno. Our plan is to attend all the NHRA Sports Compact events and to compete again for the overall Hot Rod title."
The Hot Rod class has been a fast developing category, where despite the mini-motor nature of the class and the mandatory front-wheel drive, its racers are now capable of times in the high 7-seconds zone and speeds topping 170 mph.
Maryland's Scott Mohler, who flirted with the overall Championship title for the Honda-sponsored All Motor category last season, will also have a new direction for 2005. The racer is coming off a highly impressive 2004 racing season, which saw him miss the crown by a scant 12 points driving his unique Mopar-sponsored Neon-the only Dodge in the category.
Scott's father, David Mohler, will now spearhead the team's tuning efforts, which will feature a motor program by Jim Justice.
"We are basically changing everything- we have a new engine builder, setup, and transmission," Scott revealed. "With Jim involved, we now have the convenience of someone close to home working with us. Our objective this season is consistency and reliability because that's what wins races."
Performance projections for the A/M class, which does not allow turbochargers or nitrous oxide, are also rather impressive with class competitors routinely posting elapsed times in the high 9s.
NHRA's Summit Racing Sports Compact series will run a total of 10 events in 2005. That will include scheduled racing at two NHRA POWERade national events for Championship categories: Pro (rear-wheel driver), Pro (front-wheel driver), Modified, Hot Rod, and All Motor (A/M).
EventsJune 18-Wichita, KS: 20th annual Wichita Area Mopar Club/Air Capitol All-Mopar Meet, New Market Square, 21st and Maize Road, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Info: Lyle Suhr, (316) 262-8355; Jim Homan, (316) 377-0050.
June 18-Belen, NM:10th annual Hub City Mopar Fest (Anniversary Show, Father's Day weekend). All Mopar Car Show, Swap Meet and Model Car Show.Trophies for 20 classes including under-construction and daily driver, as well as many special awards including long distance. Goody bags to first 125 entrants, event tees, vendors, great raffle door and prizes, swap meet.Info: www.moparclub.com; Paul, (505) 896-8115.
June 16-18-Lebanon, TN: Tennessee Cruzin Classic Car Show at the Nashville Superspeedway. This three-day event will feature more than 2,000 American-brand cars built between 1900 and 1980 competing for up to $200,000 in prize money. Approximately 1,000 more classic cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles of any model years will be on display. Info: Dale Holland, (800) 427-8946; www.tennesseecruzin.com.
June 18-19-Madison, WI: 18th annual National Dodge Charger Meet, sponsored by The Dodge Charger Registry. No entry fee. Info: Scott Wagner, (414) 546-0577 (Wisconsin); Wayne Wooten, The Dodge Charger Registry, P.O. Box 79, Meherrin, VA 23954; (434) 223-1305; www.thedodgechargerregistry.com.