Rockstad wasn't involved in the recent flap about a possible $75-80,000 sanction fee track operators reportedly would have to pay if the NHRA couldn't secure a series sponsor. However, he said track owners are perturbed because they were called to an Oct. 29 meeting in Las Vegas -- one that was originally scheduled for Joliet, Ill., in late September -- to discuss it. He said the general consensus was that the meeting was a waste of their time.

He said trying to work with the NHRA eventually became a waste of time for him, as well. His own relationship with the sanctioning body (one he called "not a shining example") had turned into a silent one. "They don't ever talk to you. At the national event (in late July), there was so much friction I could see (President Tom) Compton didn't want to talk to me. So I just walked away. I don't mean nothin' to them."

He said the bond "originally unwound during the remaining Dallas Gardner years. I had had a lot of respect for Dallas Gardner (former NHRA President). But at the end the pressure was getting to him and he made some not-so-good moves."

Rockstad isn't quite certain what's in his future, but he is proceeding with the confidence of a man who has made some pretty smart moves for himself. "It's going to be fun to head off to whatever I do," he said. "I put in my time. I won't get a gold watch for my 25 years, but I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my life. My wife has some yard work she wants me to do."

He laughed the laugh of a man who, in his own words, "has been down the pike too many times" and is ready to pull over to the shoulder for awhile.

For the immediate future, Rockstad will stay in Seattle. He said he has rented office space in nearby Kent, where he'll tie up loose ends in dissolving his corporation. Bader has approached him repeatedly about becoming the IHRA's Western U.S. point man. But Rockstad said he suggested they wait until the first of next year before firming up any commitments.

"He made me a decent offer," Rockstad said, "but if I was going to do anything for the 2002 season, I needed to do it a month ago. And right now, the big focus is for me is this financial deal. I'm trying to promote people into the facility one last time."

Curiously, Rockstad is positive about drag racing and said he harbors no grudges toward the NHRA.

"I feel great about this sport. I hope this series announcement, the whole program, works out. The sport is the sport, no matter who runs it," he said.

"It'll all work out. There are always rumors that this or that guy's going away. And then there are brand new deals," he added. "Back in the '60s it used to be you had a single race car. Then two or three guys went together to own the car because times were hard. Then you had the sponsor and the three guys. Then sponsors come and go. And it all worked out."

He said if he could tell the NHRA anything as he exits, it would be two words: "Do good."

That's what Jim Rockstad tried to do, despite the overwhelming problems that overshadowed his passion for drag racing. And when the last photo, the last souvenir program, and the last pennant are sold Nov. 15, that's his financial plan: to do good. The rest he felt he took care of throughout the years.

(more stories)