CHECKING THE OVER-NIGHTS
“Driving Force” is quite the talk in the television ratings world since the numbers for the show exceeded even A&E's expectations. The show did 1.15 million, ages 18-49, in the first half hour and 994,000 in the second half hour. Household impressions were 1.44 million at 9 p.m. and 1.18 million at 9:30. It's the third biggest debut in A&E history. Only "Dog, the Bounty Hunter" and "Criss Angel: Mind Freak" opened bigger.
A&E already has ordered four more episodes for a total of 14, considered a full season.Don’t forget to cast your vote in this week’s DRO poll about the show. [7-19-2006]
MOPAR COMING TO YOU
Mike Bumbeck, editor of our sister publication MoparMax.com, was hard at work at the NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Denver, shooting photos and talking to the movers and shakers.
MoparMax.com will make its debut on Aug. 1. (Les Welch photo) [7-19-2006]
DENVER STATS
Jim Hawkins, DRO’s statistician, gave us some notes after the Denver race: 1. Of course that wasn't Gary Densham's first No. 1. During the "Force years" he qualified No. 1 eight times. 2. All of the talk about 6-second Pro Stock runs, which Hawkins predicted (really the stats did), did not materialize, mainly because of the weather.
But if you wanted to see a 6-second doorslammer, why wasn't anyone watching Vinnie Deceglie's 6-second No. 1 qualifier A/A car in Comp? A very stout car, but Vinnie redlit in round one. 3. Jim Jannard stood underneath the tower watching Saturday's first round of qualifying and cheering on Gary Scelzi. Jannard’s stats: Forbes magazine lists him as the #606 richest in the world and #207 in America. 4. Bud and Denver don't mix (well, it is Coors country, after all). Brandon Bernstein lost to Scott Kalitta on a holeshot in 2004; in 2005 after qualifying No. 1 he "lost" to Rob Passey, when the engine failed after the burnout; and was outrun by No. 14 qualifier Mike Stasburg in round 1 this year. [7-19-2006]
