Romine returns to DRO series at US 131 as hired gun

Paul Romine will return to the Mickey Thompson Tires DragRacingOnline.com AA/FC Challenge Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8, at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.

The two-time DRO series champion from Indianapolis sold his own “Man O’ War” Mustang operation earlier this year, and at Martin he will be driving the “Crop Duster” Funny Car for Frank Ousley. The Agent hears that the former IHRA Top Fuel champ will also drive Ousley’s dragster at the California Hot Rod Reunion in October.

Yeah, we figured he’d get tired of fishing in Florida after a while. (James Drew photo) [9/7/2012]

NHRA tries swinging another way?

The scene in April at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. The fall event only competes on two lanes. (Ron Lewis photo)

The Agent hears from one of his newly designated Southern operatives that next year they’ll try something new to build up spectator interest for the second NHRA national event at zMax Dragway, the Bellagio of all drag strips.

With three back-to-back weekend events beginning Sept. 13 at Charlotte, Dallas and St. Louis starting the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Charlotte track owner O. Bruton Smith will dub this stretch as kicking off the “Fall Swing” – copying what has been made popular over the years by the Western Swing of the NHRA tour through Denver, Sonoma and Seattle.

And don’t forget about the fourth race in a row next year at Reading, Pa., on Oct. 3-6. [9/7/2012]