by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has announced that it will change the distance run for the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes, from a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) to 1,000 feet. The NHRA stages two events every year at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This change will last while the NHRA investigates how to make the sport safer for the drivers, including parachute rigging, horsepower, etc. Funny Cars today are reaching speeds in excess of 330 mph on a regular basis. This change will cut down on the top speed, since the car reaches its top end during that final 320 feet.

The change was brought about by the death of one of its champions, Scott Kalitta, who was killed while competing in the 39th Annual NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. on Saturday, June 21st. Scott was a two time champion in the Funny Car Division, 1994-95. He quit racing following the 1997 season, returning in 1999, and once again hung up his helmet. However, the lure for speed was too much for the former champion to ignore and Kalitta returned to compete in 2003. He is the son of the famous innovator, mechanic, crew chief and racer, Connie Kalitta. Scott is survived by his wife, Kathy and two sons, Colin (8) and Corey (14).

Teddy Davey, one of the original Las Vegas Tenors, has asked Norm Johnson to pass the following on to my readers and his many friends: "I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of genuine kindness during my recent stay at Summerlin Hospital. I have asked Norm, to help me thank so many people who diligently called, visited, sent flowers, cards, gifts, text messages and e-mails to me To them, and especially to my family, long time friends, die-hard tenor fans, fellow artists and entertainers, Dr. "PK" Bhatnagard (my surgeon), the excellent nurses and staff of 5 south, and of course, Lorena (my number one nurse), I am eternally grateful. I look forward to seeing you all 'In All the Old Familiar Places,' very, very soon."

Teddy will join Bill Fayne and Bobby Black at the Suncoast this weekend. In addition, the Tenors will have three special guest stars, starting off with the fabulous Clint Holmes on Friday (July 4). George DeMott, who is a star on the Crystal Cruise ships, and does a fantastic Mario Lanza tribute show, will guest star on Saturday as well as Mosaic. Chris Coyne, who filled in for Davey at the Las Vegas Hilton, on June 1, will be guest tenor Sunday evening.

Fayne has arranged a very special medley for the weekend, calling it "An Americana Medley." Among the numerous songs will be two very special ones: "America" and our national hymn, "America The Beautiful." In addition, the group will present, for the second time this season, the new "Beatles Medley," including "All You Need is Love" and "Hey Jude."

For further information or reservations, call (702) 636-7111. Tickets range from $22.00 to $44.00 with show time set for 7:30 p.m. each evening.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Shades of Sinatra will be performing a very special one nighter at the Starlight Theatre in Sun City Summerlin on Sunday, July 20th. If you love the music of The Man, Francis Albert Sinatra, then this is a must see event for you. I never get tired of watching these three guys and the gorgeous gal (Ryan Baker, Carmine Mandia, Larry Liso and Lisa Smith) sing those wonderful songs - the ones you don't hear too much anymore, unless you listen to KJUL radio. Showtime is 3:00 p.m. with tickets priced at $15 for residents of Sun City and $17 bucks for the rest of us... Oh, well; such is life in the Big City (our village)... Don McLean's "American Pie" will be featured on Viva Vision (the overhead screen), at downtown Fremont Street Experience beginning over the July 4th weekend through Sunday at 9 and 11 p.m... "Raw Talent Live," a new innovative interactive dance show, with live original music and high tech illusions, will make its debut at the Sahara Hotel in August, according to a release by the hotel... Believe it or not: They are going to restore the very old and very historic Thunderbird Lodge on Lake Tahoe. Built in 1939 by millionaire George "The Captain" Whittell. The lodge housed not only guests but wild animals and even had a special building for the owners pet elephant... Bob Anderson, who this writer considers one of the all-time greats when it comes to singing impressions, will once again be performing in Branson, with Andy Williams, beginning in September. However, he reports, that he and his wife, Karen, may move to Charleston, S.C., since their two sons have moved out of the house and are getting married. Wow, how time does fly...

Well, that's about it for this week.

I'm outa here!

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