PAWUK’S PONTIAC GTO GETS A NEW LOOK
Mark Pawuk missed competing at Denver’s Mile-High Nationals while his new car from Jerry Haas was getting some finishing touches, including a new paint scheme. “We’re going to appear in the same basic silver with blue and orange highlights that we brought back with our last GTO beginning at last year’s U.S. Nationals,” Pawuk said, “but graphic artist Bruce Tatman has made some very cool changes to the cars overall appearance, and I think our fans are going to like what they see.” The Pawuk team will return to the NHRA schedule at this week’s Seattle race. [7-18-2006]
DUPUY TAKES A HIKE ON HERBERT, BRISSETTE STEPS UP
Doug Herbert got a cell phone call as he was boarding his plane to leave Denver after the NHRA event last weekend. It was his soon to be ex-crew chief Wayne Dupuy who was calling to say, according to a Herbert press release, that he (Dupuy) was overloaded and needed to take a leave of absence and would not be able to continue as crew chief on the Snap-on Tools race team. Herbert’s team has been struggling of late so this was no major surprise. Unfortunately for the Herbert team, a lot of long-time Herbert team members have been let go, reportedly at the request of Dupuy. Jim Brissette, Herbert’s old friend and former crew chief, will step into the breach. [7-18-2006]
‘THRILLER’ TAKES SUPERCHARGED WARRIORS WIN
Quaker City Raceway hosted the Supercharged Warriors for their Mid-Summer Explosion. Joe Veschusio in the “Thriller” Fiat (shown) was No. 1 qualifier with a 7.83. The final round had a close start but the Thriller ran a 7.83 to a break-out 7.76 for John DeCort to get their first victory of the year. Next race is at the IHRA Thunder Jam at Skyview Drags on July 22. (Maureen Beno photo) [7-18-2006]
