Midnight Mayhem begins Friday, then Las Vegas looks nostalgic this weekend

The “Beach City Chevrolet” was displayed at last year’s Mooneyes Xmas Party. (James Drew photo)

The 2009 Midnight Mayhem Presented By MetroPCS Series resumes Friday evening, May 15, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Gates will open at 8 p.m. and street-legal racing will take place from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Now in its eighth year, Midnight Mayhem is open to any licensed driver with proof of insurance. Minors must present a signed parental consent form, which may be obtained by calling The Strip's office at 702-632-8213.

Four nitromethane-burning nostalgia Funny Cars will headline the second annual Las Vegas Speed Spectacular for the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series this weekend, May 15-17, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The four cars will make exhibition passes on Saturday, May 16. Cars scheduled to appear include Nathan Bugg in the "Li’l Nate" Barracuda, Dennis Taylor in the "Future Flash" Dodge Charger, the "Beach City Chevrolet" topless Corvette driven by Ed Schwarz and the "McCain's Bomb Squad" Plymouth Duster piloted by Mendy Fry.

The weekend will include nostalgia drag racing, a vintage car show and music. Also on the weekend’s card is the world-famous “Nanook” AA/FA fuel altered owned by Dave and Linda Hough. Classes at this year’s show include: A/Fuel, AA/Gas, Junior Fuel, Nostalgia Eliminator, A/Gas, B/Gas and C/Gas, among others. [5/12/09]

It's Nitro and Tire Smoke on Saturday morning

Sammy and Bob will be live from Houston Raceway Park this Saturday morning, May 16, at 10 am till noon on ESPN RADIO 97.5 The Ticket.
Go online and check them out at www.sammyandbobshow.com. [5/12/09]

Fuller to drive Vandergriff’s dragster with new sponsor at Joliet

“Hot Rod’ Fuller will make his 2009 debut at the 12th annual United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals on June 4-7 in Joliet, Ill. After missing the first half of the season when team owner David Powers announced he’d be pulling out of drag racing, Fuller will rejoin the tour with Bob Vandergriff Jr., who will turn over the reins of his Top Fuel dragster to Fuller for the Chicago-area race.

“I drove the car at the recent Atlanta race for our sponsor partner, SpeedCo, and ran the third quickest time on the very first qualifying pass,” Vandergriff said. “The car is now being set up for Hot Rod’s specifications and our team will provide everything we can to get him to the winner’s circle.”

Patten Cat Industries will join the team as the official sponsor of the car for the Joliet race. “The fact that I was born in Chicago and now have the opportunity to drive for Patten Cat, a dealer that has been in business in northern Illinois for more than 75 years, has made it worth the wait to get back out on the circuit,” said Fuller. [5/12/09]