Sam,
I don't know of the other guys you mentioned. I don't see or talk to Joe on a regular basis. Really only met him a couple times. Bob Hendrickson is a good friend of mine and I watched the Bounty Hunter get restored at his place in Pleasantville. I went with them and the dragster to the first NHRA Hot Rod reunion in Columbus several years ago. Connie Kalita flew in and squeezed himself back in the seat in front of the stands for a photo-op.
Fun trip.
Verne