Just wondering... Will somebody please tell me exactly when sanctioning bodies decided that drag racing was about controlling speed, elapsed time and innovation instead of rewarding innovation and the first racer to the finish line?

Just wondering... When will the powers that be realize that there is no such thing as controlling spending in professional classes by making rules? The fact is that regardless of what rules are made for professional classes some racers will spend a fortune to make their hot rod go fast. It seems to me the actual fact is that the more restrictive rules you have, the more expensive racing gets. Can you spell NASCAR?

Just wondering... Do we have to print the definition of the word rumor as printed in my Webster's Dictionary so that some people understand what it means? When we call something a rumor in Agent1320¹s notes, it is just that -- a rumor. Don't take it too seriously.

Just Wondering... When are the people still beating the drum about Pro Stock truck going to wake up and realize that it¹s time to move on? Elvis is dead and so is the Pro Stock Truck class... at least as far as NHRA is concerned.

Just Wondering... Why are all automotive sanctioning bodies so damn secretive? All most racers and fans want is to not be blind-sided by the associations they race with. "Want to put Agent 1320 out of business? - Keep your customers informed." C'mon, we're talking about drag racing -- a hobby to most people -- not something that involves the national security. Would it hurt the sport to tell the racers and fans that support it what's going on a little more in advance?

Just Wondering... Why don't race fans show up in hordes at the test sessions at venues like Firebird and Tucson? There had to be 20-25 Nitro teams at Firebird including Force, Prudhomme's team, Bernstein, Schumacher alcohol flops and diggers and a trick Pro Mod. The ticket price was under $20 bucks and it is the best place to get close to the teams before the season starts. I don't get it.

Just Wondering... When are the sanctioning bodies and promoters going to figure out that the most important pay-out in a purse structure is how much the first round runner-up is paid? Why not make eight guys in a 16-car field happy they came and raced, instead of just the two guys that get to the finals? Both NHRA and IHRA are doing much better in this area for the Pro classes and "Pro" sportsman classes, but the situation still needs to be improved for the true sportsman class racers.

Just Wondering... Who decided that fans or the press would be more interested in watching or attending a motorsports event because the winner gets a six- or seven- figure check? The attraction has always been and always will be about the drivers, the cars, and the competition.

Just Wondering... Are the really big purses ($50,000 and up to win) going the way of the Dodo bird? Rockingham Dragway promoter Steve Earwood, who started the "Million Dollar Race" along with George Howard, seems to think so as he won¹t have one on this year¹s schedule.

Just Wondering... When will the sanctioning bodies come to their senses and allow injected nitro Funny Cars? The injected fuel dragsters have become the developmental class for Top Fuel why not allow injected fuel funny cars to perform the same service for the Funny Car program. Besides, they make more noise and they smell.

Just Wondering... How long is NHRA going to wait until they say something about the AMS-sponsored Pro Mod Challenge? As of this writing, it's been four days since the deal became official and still nothing about this news on NHRA.com. Maybe this news just isn't important enough to warrant coverage by NHRA's house organs. I always thought those publications' main job was to promote NHRA sponsors, racers, and classes regardless of what the independent drag racing press does or doesn't do. If I treated my customers like that, pretty soon I wouldn't have any...

Just wondering.

photo by James Drew

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