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6. Why is it...
that payouts have always been so "top-heavy"in
drag racing? If we all pay the same entry fee
and races are determined by thousandths of a
second why isn't the prize money spread out
better over at least the last four racers? Is
it because if a race paid $750 to win, $650
runner-up and $500 to each semi-finalists the
car count would be less than if it paid $1500
to win $400 runner-up and $250 to each semi-finalists.
Same total dollars paid out but a big difference
in my opinion. I have always been a supporter
of "spreading it out more" when it
come to prize money. Why do you think racers
frequently "split" the purse among
themselves before the finals or semi-finals?
Because that is what they really want, more
equitable payouts.
7. Why is it...
a local track can have a race weekend that pays
$2000 to win on Saturday and $5000 to win on
Sunday for a two-day entry of $150 and only
60 racers showed up? Yet on the same weekend
another track in the area had a $1000 to win
race that cost $65 to enter, for one day, had
the same number of cars. Is it because local
racers think the "killer cars" are
going to the big-bucks race and they won't have
a chance? I have yet to really see a "killer
car or driver" (not that Scotty, Edmund,
Luke and several others aren't exceptional).
They can all be beat and will be the first to
tell you that. The difference is you have to
beat them, they don't beat themselves very often.
8. Why is it...
local tracks have pretty much abandoned special
spectator events? Funny Car shows, Pro Stocks,
Pro Mods, etc. I race at a few places that will
sometimes have jets or fireworks but nothing
on a consistent basis to attract spectators.
Have they given up on getting spectators, selling
concessions because street legal races are their
new cash-cow? I hope not, I love the carnival
atmosphere that special events can offer small
bracket tracks and that in turn generates enthusiasm
for participants and their friends.
9. Why is it...
that I can hardly make myself watch drag racing
on TV anymore? I keep trying, but it is just
plain and simple bad TV. Still pretty cool watching
Anderson crush all the Pro Stocks but you can
bet he has an eye in the mirror on the Glidden-managed
Larry Morgan-driven Mopar team. The fuel deal
is just like replays of the last four years.
Maybe I am missing something and if I am let
me know. Just looks like the same teams, the
same cars, the same drivers and the same winners.
Maybe they should try 100% nitro, big wings,
any gear ratio, any tire and run the EIGHTH
MILE! How do you like that idea?
10. Why is it...
that no matter how much racers have to do at
home or at work we can always find time do race
car maintenance (even if we can't get the mower
started!) We can always figure a way to get
off work early Friday to get to a big race but
can't get away for that cousin's wedding unless
it is in the Winter or on a rainy weekend! Speaking
of time why is it we NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF IT?
I hope everything goes well for all of you
in August. I can't believe the summer is almost
over already (see what I mean about time?) For
those of you with kids it is football practice,
registering for school and getting to Wal-Mart
for all the stuff the kids will need for school.
For Barb and I we are about to embark on a new
adventure as we are part of a new start-up business
and will return to the world of being self-employed
in the upcoming months. Of course, I will continue
to write about my biggest passion, drag racing,
on DRO. Talk to you again in September. 
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Dead-On
— 7/7/04
Things in drag racing as I see
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