Visiting Pocono Int’l Raceway for other than an auto race is strange for us, but that’s what last weekend’s visit was for — something different. Arriving at the Pocono track is always a pleasure seeing it undergo constant improvement in the hands of its owners, the Mattioli family. Though the grandstands were empty, the infield road course was a throbbing place, thanks to IMPA (the International Motorsport Press Ass’n not to be confused with IMSA, the International Motor Sports Ass’n). IMPA’s annual “Test Days,” which provide automakers with an opportunity to display their wares to the automotive press, freelance writers and other auto-oriented big-wigs, was in progress and, according to regulars, was the largest such gathering in the event’s history. As close to150 IMPA members, all of whom paid $95 for the privilege of attending, showed up for dinner at the Galleria Hotel in nearby Split Rock. Talk was of the impressive array of 125 vehicles the 25 involved auto manufacturers had furnished for tryouts on the track’s 2.5-mile road course. Mentioned with great pleasure by members and car types was that there had been no blown engines, no stripped gearboxes and no wall-smacking episodes, as in the past, which put all in high spirits. This group included dozens of high-level car-company types including a new face, Chris Wall, Porsche’s recently appointed Manager Automotive Media Relations, taking the place of Bob Carlson, who now is concerned only with Porsche motorsports. The IMPA exec responsible for the event’s massive organizational task was one Paul Licata, whom we failed to meet. P/R and publicity specialist Mike Geylin was busy from dawn to dusk spurring on this project. The increase in size, and interest, in this unique event was reflected in the uptick from an initial $800 charitable contribution by members at the first test days years ago, to the $12,300 contributed this year, the 2007 beneficiary being the “Hole in the Wall Gang,” founded by actor-racer Paul Newman.

The Chicago Tribune reports it has located a Web site entitled “Wickedstepmom.com” which takes Teresa Earnhardt to task for not allowing her stepson Dale, Jr. to use the No. 8 on his 2008 NASCAR car. The site sells wearing apparel with a No. 8 on it with a red X through it or covered with a red circle and slash.

After NASCAR admitted to a mistake in penalizing Kyle Busch that may have cost him victory in last month’s Busch series race at Bristol for an error he never made, drivers inquired around as to what should they do when they disagree with a penalty call. During the drivers meeting the next night for the Cup race, the matter came up and Race Director David Hoots said drivers should convey their thoughts to a NASCAR official so the sanctioning body could work on it. But Rick Hendrick, owner of the car Kyle Busch drove the previous night, was quoted as saying, “I’m going to run out on the track and stand on the line until they stop the race and run over me, or handcuff me and take me away.” Video confirmed the sanctioning body’s gaffe, to which VP of Competition for NASCAR Robin Pemberton commented, “We’re human and we’re no different from most other sports, it’s still an umpire or referee making split-second calls.”

When West Coast businessman Gene Haas, who also owns a NASCAR team, pleaded guilty to defrauding the government of more than $34 million in taxes, his Haas CNC Racing Team of Oxnard, Calif., agreed to pay a fine, back taxes and interest totaling $70-plus million, said the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles.

Busy, busy Brownsburg. This tiny Indiana community just west of Indianapolis is fast becoming a drag-racing center. David Powers Motorsport recently announced it would create a 30,000 square-foot facility on Southpoint Circle in Brownsburg for its Houston-based drag-racing team. Envisioned are 42 jobs. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. reported $260,000 in tax credits will be issued to Powers for the $3 million project. And John Force, a 14-time NHRA Funny Car champion, is expanding his Brownsburg facility and is considering moving all his racing operations from California to Brownsburg, allowing his West Coast facility to become a museum.

When 54-year-old Max Naylor, an NHRA runner in his second Pro Stock season, was the fastest qualifier at the U.S. Nationals in Indy, it marked the first time in more than 800 events a car on Hoosier Tires car had won that distinction. All prior NHRA Pro Stock fast qualifiers have ridden on Goodyear tires.

Bye-bye golf, hello auto racing. Officials of the Prairie Hills Motorsports Club in Lake Village, Ind., a small Newton County town about 130 miles northwest of Indianapolis on I-65, have announced receipt of a Planned Use Permit from the County Planning Board for a country club with an auto race track in place of a traditional golf course. A 275-acre site has been targeted.

Bruton building again? When the NHRA announced its 24-event 2008 National Event schedule, it included a new event, location TBA. Straightline regulars are wagering it will be a new strip at or near Bruton Smith’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway, just north of Charlotte, N.C.

Controlling interest in The Hall of Fame Racing team, created in 2003 by NFL quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, has been acquired by Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Mourad and NFL COO Tom Garfinkel, formerly the executive VP of Chip Ganassi Racing. The two founders, along with Mark Griege, Bill Saunders and Paul Whitman, remain minority partners.  

Big bucks Bernie (Ecclestone) and Renault F-1 team principal Flavio Briatore are saying they will buy Britain’s Queens Park Rangers Soccer club. London newspapers say they’ll pay $60.5 million for the team. 

Though said to be unhappy with the way his career in the IRL is going of late, 2006 Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish is happy about his wife Crystal’s condition these days. She is expecting their first child Feb. 10th.

The IRL may give up the opportunity to have a second race at Texas Motor Speedway if track boss Eddie Gossage continues to insist it be the first event after the Indy 500, a date that tradition says belongs to the Milwaukee Mile. Negotiations continue.

Reports indicate the Champ Car World Series may follow the lead of the IRL and go to Ethanol fuel in 2008.

Prior to WWII auto racing books were virtually non-existent. Peter dePaolo’s mid-1930s “Wall Smacker” being the only U.S. title in memory. Shortly after the war ended, racing novels by Switzerland’s retired Grand Prix driver Hans Reusch, a regular on European circuits from the mid 1930s, arrived from Europe. Reusch passed away recently at age 94. Some of Reusch’s novels became movies, including “The Racer” which starred Kirk Douglas.

Few know the Formula One car classification was not created until 1950, as was the world driving championship, along with the FIA, previously known as the CSI, for Commission Sportive Internationale.

Automotive publications are forecasting the death of Ford’s Mercury brand, noting its 2006 sales dropped to 180,848, the lowest in 10 years. Of interest, was learning that among Mercury’s 1,920 dealerships, there is only one stand-alone Mercury store. All others are coupled with Ford and/or Lincoln. Ford is saying it wants to cut 600 dealerships from its current total of 4,138.

Constant reader Lou Ensworth of Allegany, N.Y., writes glowingly of the recent gathering of old-time midget racing cars, their owners and drivers, at New York’s Little Valley Speedway. He explained the dropping of Empire Super Sprints from the day’s doings was a decision by the track owners with the ARDC midget group having nothing to do with it.

This Sunday the 16th, on the outskirts of Roslyn, N.Y., on the north shore of Long Island, a Centennial Celebration of the Vanderbilt Cup Races is scheduled. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Child Frick’s estate in this lovely waterfront village 25 miles east of New York City. A six-tenths-mile “demonstration course” has been set up by organizer Guy Frost for owners of still-driveable cars. The estate is also the home of the Nassau County Museum of Art. Saturday evening will see a gathering of the racing faithful for dinner at the Chalet Restaurant, 5 Railroad Ave., Roslyn. Call (516) 621-7975 for your reservation.

Noted New York City chef and restaurateur Mario Batali, who has fallen in love with auto racing and is often seen (and cooking) at NASCAR events, has been bounced by TV’s Food Network. No longer will he be seen on the “Iron Chef America” series and he has lost his own “Molto Mario” show.