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 RANDOMLY
RACING AROUND
Some months it's really easy to write this column. Being primarily
an op/ed kind of thing, my column usually finds a number of political
targets within the sport to home in on. But as the season unfolds, the
intrigue retreats to the background as the racing action surges to the
forefront. But it never quite completely goes away, which keeps a nice
edge to the on-track activity. Besides all that, sometimes it just is
too much work trying to come up with an overall theme that can carry
a whole column.
So this month, I'm just racing around at random, ranting about whatever
is rattling around in my head at the moment. As I write this, the TV
coverage of the NHRA Houston event is on in the background, so let's
start there. Gotta say, I am beginning to like the ESPN coverage of
our sport. The commentary could still use the sledgehammer tuneup, but
the boys are trying. Keep on trying, guys! The visuals are better also.
Super Slo-mo could do for drag racing what NFL Films did for pro football.
It's a lot easier for someone new to the deal to understand what is
happening when they get that kind of look at the cars in action. Additionally,
the sponsors get more on-air exposure from that sort of shot, which
has to be a good thing for all concerned. It may be the best way for
drag racng to counter NASCAR's lap after lap after lap of exposure advantage.
Would someone in a position to know please tell me the straight skinny
on the situation regarding Howard Haight alluded to in recent Agent
1320 filings? No, I DON'T know any more than you do on this one. But
I would like to, before I shoot off my big fat mouth! And I will, you
know!
Back to the TV package for a moment. I think it's great the amount
of time ESPN is devoting to qualifying action. But with all that time
available, couldn't we see just a few, maybe one or two, Alcohol Funny
Cars and Dragsters make a lap? Please? Please? In case anybody forgot,
that's usually where the new blood in the Nitro ranks comes from. Can
anyone say, "Busch Series", or mebbe, "develop tomorrow's stars today"?
Just a thought.
And how about those Pro Mod guys? On down the road, all the griping,
whining maneuvering and machinations currently in play will be worth
it if Pro Mod becomes a fixture on the entire NHRA circuit. That means
on TV too, in case anybody was wondering. I mean, these guys are serious
racers, so let's see them already!!
IHRA!! What can you say? Not too long ago, I all but predicted the
demise of said group when NHRA announced their Pro Mod move. Talk about
being wrong! All kidding aside, it's been a long time since NHRA has
had any real competition, in terms of market share, etc. I for one am
glad to see what looks like a real financial player invest their efforts
in drag racing. Most corporate types end up running screaming in the
opposite direction - maybe this will be a different story.
It probably seems we mention John Force's name a bit often in these
pages. Pro or con, most at DRO have a personal past with the man, and
like it or not, he remains the biggest story in the 1320 game. Call
me wishy-washy, but I'm slowly coming around on this multi-car team
thing. At some point, ya gotta get with reality. And the prevailing
reality right now is "More is better!"
Throw on top of that NHRA'a acceptance of the blocker strategy, and
that pretty much lays out the ground rules of the NEW PARADIGM for professional
drag racing. If your foe has two of everything, ya better go get three.
If he has on oil company, round up a mass media content provider for
your side. Get bigger, better, tougher, and more of everything! Take
a look - JF has shown what he has coming on line, and it don't involve
anything small. Better get a program together if you want to stay in
the mix!
Time to get back to the Houston TV show. I would rather be there, but
the TV show is at least getting easier to watch.
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