Nitro Burnin' Funny Meat Loaf

NHRA Funny Car driver Dean Skuza is once again capitalizing on his love for music by debuting a special paint scheme with international recording star Meat Loaf. Action Collectibles is producing a 1/24 scale die-cast collectible of the Couldn't Have Said It Better race car, promoting the upcoming release of Meat Loaf's new album and the North American leg of his world tour.
Skuza, coming off increased success on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour and a semi-final appearance this weekend at the Mile High Nationals in Denver, will run the Meat Loaf car in Sonoma, California, at Infineon Raceway's NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals, August 1-3. The car is one in a series that fans are calling "Skuza-palooza," as the 36-year-old drag racer from Cleveland, Ohio, in conjunction with Knockout Talent Inc., ran three races earlier this year with a sponsorship from Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wilde and his band, Black Label Society.
"I think my mom is more excited that anyone." said Skuza, "She's a huge fan and had Bat Out of Hell on her Marantz hi-fi before they ever played it on the radio. I vividly remember her going to Peaches Records in Cleveland to buy it." Skuza must have a good memory, since he was only 11 years old at the time of the album's 1977 release!
Skuza and Meat Loaf came together last November for this partnership. "We met him last year on a short tour that came through Cleveland. He's a really cool guy--we talked about sports, music, racing--you name it. He's a very bright man and the theatrical emphasis that he brings to his rock and roll show is something that few other performers can provide. His fame is far reaching and could help to bring us the attention that it takes to land a major sponsorship for 2004."
Born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, Meat Loaf first gained widespread attention as Eddie, the brain-dead zombie in 60;The Rocky Horror Picture Show.61; The aforementioned rock album Bat Out of Hell was one of the biggest selling albums of all time, selling over 30 million copies. In 1993 Meat Loaf again collaborated with partner Jim Steinman and released Bat Out of Hell 2: Back into Hell, with the single, "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" that introduced "Meat" to a whole new generation. Since, he has played a number of quirky, emotional roles in movies such as Fight Club, Crazy in Alabama and Formula 51. Meat Loaf has toured the world many times over and sold over 60 million albums worldwide.
Meat Loaf's new studio album is making its way to North America after great success in Europe, where it is approaching Platinum sales. Couldn't Have Said it Better marks a triumphant return for Meat Loaf who has once again proven that he can hold his own in a musical world dominated by younger Pop/Hip-Hop artists. Meat Loaf will crisscross the globe playing amphitheatres, festivals, and arenas supporting the new album, his eighth studio album in 25 years.