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3/7/03
ust Wondering...With GM committing so
much money and PR resources to NHRA's Sport Compact Series,
I wonder how long it will take them to start lobbying NHRA
to expand the current three-race national event exhibition
schedule to something bigger.
Just Wondering...Isn't GM's involvement in the Sport Compact
series starting to remind you of the support they lavished
on the Pro Stock Truck program? Will Mopar and Ford get
more involved here than they did with the Pro Stock Trucks?
Just Wondering ...With the announcement that Toyota will
start participating in NASCAR in 2004, does anyone doubt
that it won't be too long before the high sheriffs out in
Glendora offer the same program at NHRA? Why not a Mercedes
AMG Pro Stocker or Toyota Celica?
Just Wondering ... How many factories have to be built
and jobs created by the Japanese and European car makers
here in the US of A before people get off of their backs
and welcome them to the party? What's the matter, are you
people afraid that GM, Ford, and Chrysler can't compete?
Have you forgotten that Ford went to LeMans and kicked their
collective fannies? I say bring 'em on! Drag racing has
always been about "run what ya brung" not "run what ya brung
as long as it's made in the USA!"
Just Wondering...Did you know that the late Dale Earnhardt's
cars speed as he impacted the wall at Daytona was just over
60 mph!? His track speed was higher, but the impact into
the wall was only 60. And drag racing's sanctioning bodies
still won't make head restraints mandatory?!!
Just Wondering...Did you know that insurance premiums for
all of drag racing's sanctioning bodies have gone up 50
to 60-percent and higher? Those insurance companies are
taking it in the shorts in the stock market like the rest
of us and they have to make that money up somewhere. They
raise the rates to the sanctioning bodies, the sanctioning
bodies pass that added expense along to the racers; that's
life in a capitalistic society. Wouldn't it have been nice,
though, if they had told the racers and fans that info instead
of just juicing the front and back gate prices without warning?
Just Wondering... Since IHRA has adopted NHRA rules for
Top Fuel why not take the next step and adopt NHRA's Alky
Funny Car rules too? If the screw-compressor cars would
have too much of an advantage, then hang some weight on
them -- but what harm could come from getting a few of NHRA
stars at IHRA events?
Just Wondering...With Chrysler's involvement with the proposed
track in Banning, California (which as far as I can determine
isn't under construction yet) is there a possibility that
more new tracks could develop a relationship with auto makers?
Just Wondering...Why is Ford so active in all of NASCAR's
series but limits its participation in drag racing to John
Force's nitro coupes? Since Bob Glidden retired they've
basically ignored any of the 'slammer classes. Maybe they
think that drag racing fans don't buy Fords. I know their
lack of participation caused me to buy a Mopar after a lifetime
of being a Ford man.
Just Wondering...With gasoline and diesel fuel inching
toward the $2.00 a gallon level and a declining economy,
will sportsman racers continue to support NHRA and IHRA
national events at the level they have in the past or will
they start attending more divisional races that require
less travel and fewer days off of work?
Just Wondering... Why does NHRA have their driver introduction
extravaganza at the front of the staging lanes? That location
is usually a long way from the closest seating making it
hard for the fans to see and relate to. Wouldn't it make
a little more sense to move the intro deal further down
track in front of the main grandstands where the fans might
actually feel a part of the pre-race production? For that
matter, why not move the winner's circle to the track, keep
the beer stands open and let the fans view the winner's
circle action from a comfortable seat?
Just Wondering...Whatever happens to the thousands of winners
circle photos taken by the 10-15 photographers in the winner's
circle circus? I almost never see those pictures in print
and they keep those drivers, owners and crews in the winner's
circle for hours, after they've already had a very long
day.
Just Wondering...Am I the only one who finds "Crash" Gladys'
top end interviews and between rounds act irritating? Nice
lady I'm sure, but a little shrill for my tastes and some
of those fans sitting around me at Phoenix's top end on
Saturday and Sunday were actually wincing while she was
talking. Also, I find it a little disconcerting when someone
nicknamed "Crash" should be interviewing drivers with "softball"
questions.
Just Wondering... Aren't drag race fans among the most
informed of race fans? Who decided that what they wanted
between rounds and during down times was clown acts instead
of information? Whatever happened to the practice of letting
the announcers pass pertinent information to the audience
between rounds? That precious couple of minutes between
laps that used to give the real fan information about the
last race or next--when the cars are quiet and the fans
can actually hear what the announcers are saying--now is
filled with fluff and stuff. I go to the drags to be at
a drag race, period!
Just Wondering...Why doesn't NHRA let Bob Frey, Dave McClelland,
Lewis Bloom or any of the guys on the staff do some five-
to ten-minute interviews with drivers or owners, put them
in the car, and broadcast those when the action on the track
is halted for oil or a crash? An interview combined with
a video clip of their cars shown on the Motel 6 big screen
would be better than Sports Magic, fat guys dancing in the
seats or T-shirt bazookas!
Just Wondering...Am I the only one who is having a hard
time concentrating on drag racing while constantly being
warned that war is imminent and to prepare for gas attacks
and terrorist attacks? About the only peace I have these
days is that four or five hours on Saturday and Sunday at
the digs and, boy, am I grateful. Peace.
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