Last year, when the NHRA POWERade season came to a close, the rumor mill was uncharacteristically quiet. "Silly Season" failed to deliver a laundry list of titillating possibilities in any of the four professional classes.

Other than Wes Cerny moving to Team Schumacher to tune for Tony Schumacher's U.S. Army dragster and a total realignment of management and personnel at Team Mopar's Pro Stock operation, big changes were fairly uncommon.

Welcome to "Silly Season 2003," where everything changes.

In almost every category there are changes in the works that will be plainly evident when racing resumes at the K&N Winternationals in Pomona next February. But one team, which had every intention of making big news for next year with the addition of a second Top Fuel dragster has now reversed field, and will stick with a single entry in 2004.

Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, who has watched his Miller Lite team race to two consecutive POWERade championships in 2002 and 2003, has announced that his plans to bring on a second dragster, to have been driven by Melanie Troxel, have been shelved for now. Prudhomme had been talking to a number of possible primary sponsor candidates, including a major telecommunications company, but the Hall of Fame team owner has made it clear his blueprint for expansion will have to wait.

With one Top Fuel team and his two Skoal-sponsored Funny Cars driven by Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr. gearing up for next year's campaign, Prudhomme believes the time to increase his outfit isn't ideal.

"It's no secret that we have been working with driver Melanie Troxel, as I believe she has the talent and ability to be very successful both on the track and as a company spokesperson," said Prudhomme. "However, at this point in time I do not feel that the addition of a fourth team would be in the best interest for our current teams, drivers, and sponsors.

"While we have had several positive meetings with companies which recognize Melanie's unique talents, it is more important for us to concentrate on improving the performance of our Funny Cars, defending our Top Fuel championship, and doing the best job we can for Skoal Racing, Miller Brewing Company, and all of our racing partners.

"I believe strongly that Melanie will find a car to drive next season and I will enjoy watching her get that opportunity. Now is just not the right time for us to pursue any additions to our team, regardless of whom the driver or sponsor might be."

Prudhomme obviously knows 2004 may present the greatest challenge to his Top Fuel dominance of the past two seasons that he has faced yet. Dixon's 2003 season got off to a scorching start, but it was evident that in the year's closing events, other teams such as those of Tony Schumacher, Doug and Scott Kalitta, and Kenny Bernstein, who will once again step aside for son Brandon in '04, were poised to become legitimate threats for the title next year.

You can be assured there will be other major shakeups throughout the NHRA talent pool before next February. At least for now, don't expect any at Snake Racing.

Bill Stephens covers the NHRA for ESPN and ESPN.com.