Odds and Ends from
the Front End

3/7/03

ebruary is, at best, a tough time of the year to write an opinion column regarding drag racing. To be frank, not much has happened at this point of a given racing season. The story lines are still emerging, and the political issues of the day are yet to be discerned. Ask the average racer where and when he will be competing, and he may or may not even be able to give you an accurate answer.

As young as the season is, there are still a number of interesting developments that have provoked a thought or two. So here I go again - I'll even label my thoughts so you'll know where I'm heading.

I'M ALREADY TIRED OF -- the angst over whether Angelle Savoie will be able to race. I mean, she races a motorcycle, for Heaven's sake! If she is to have a REAL drag racing career, get something with four wheels. By the way, a real career is where you are around every year, on your own merits, and not dependent on someone else footing the bills. If NHRA and Angelle can't put something together to mutually benefit both parties, put the PR machine to rest and get behind those who are in play at the true top level of the sport - Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock.

I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF -- Top Fuel teams running the IHRA circuit. Hey, IHRA did what all "us" experts told 'em to do. They adopted NHRA rules, swallowing their pride and individuality to improve the show for the racers and fans. Virgil Hartmann is to be commended for being the first team to enter the mix at IHRA. And more kudos to VH for being up-front about why he is doing it -- he sees an opportunity to make money! A bit of honesty in a sport that needs more of that commodity.

WHEN WILL THE EXPERTS GET A CLUE -- regarding ticket prices? Anyone who has been around the sport as anything but a fan should know one thing for sure. The people who set prices (of anything) live and die by the P.T. Barnam mantra, "There's another one born every minute." I refer to it as the Defective Promoter Gene. No matter how one may try, it is not possible to convince a promoter that a $20.00 seat with someone in it is better than a $50.00 seat that is empty. I know how crazy that sounds, but it's the God's honest truth! I've been in the room--on more than one occasion--when it was tried. Of all the truths in drag racing, that may be the truest of all. So get over it, and talk about something that can be changed.

I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE -- more bang for the buck on Saturday at national events. All national events. Expand the Pro Stock field to 32 cars, bring in jets, bring in whatever. This would be a way to justify the price of a place to park your butt at a national event. Not that anyone ever felt compelled to do such a thing.

I'M ALSO ALREADY TIRED OF -- the hillbilly references to a certain Top Fuel team. Respect the accomplishment or not, Clay Millican is the reigning champ of IHRA Top Fuel. If ya think it's nothin' then go spend some money and shoot your shot. Now it might help good 'ole CM's cause a heap if he would jump out of his dragster after a run sounding a bit more uptown. (When in Rome, CM, speak like a Roman, or sumpthin' like that!) I do like his enthusiasm, though.

IN SPITE OF MYSELF, I'M GLAD -- to see Brandon Bernstein win his first race. I've never been much of a King Kenny fan. I have always felt that spending the competition into oblivion is not good for the sport. It is a subject not too many speak of, but I think it is one of drag racing's biggest problems. You see, there are a whole lotta guys who can drive a race car. But there are a whole lot fewer guys who can also attract major corporations to their cause. In short, it drives the price of a spot in the pits up exponentially. Advantage to the biz crowd, detriment to the 1320 sport (in my opinion). If ya didn't like KKB, don't take it out on the offspring. Give him his own shot at the love/hate thing.

I THINK IT MAY BE TIME TO -- finally put the John Force story to bed. At least the "Tony P is tanking" segment of the saga. By whatever means, Tony P is solidly ahead of the Boss after two NHRA events. No one, not even me, can question the outcome of a Boss versus Tony match under the current status. If Force stumbles a couple more times, it would not be too hard an argument to make that Tony P would be the team's best bet to keep the NHRA Funny Car crown in the Force camp. Besides, how many more years will Force winning the points chase be much of a story? That one is about played out, if you ask me.

AND PLEASE, NO MORE ANGST -- from the Pro Mod scene. NHRA has had plenty of chances to give the class full status -- more chances than they apparently need. Forced to establish a morning line regarding the REAL inclusion of Pro Mod into the NHRA national event landscape, I would put the odds at 3 to 5 against. For those of you who do not wager, that means it probably won't happen. My advice to the Pro Mod Powers would be this: If you really feel your product is so compelling, take it to the market. Start your own group, form a tour, get the corporate involvement, and find a place that will put you on TV. Try the Speed Channel. If they have a place for speedway motorcycle racing, my guess is they can find a spot for Pro Modified. Don't wait forever for the golden fleece that is inclusion at the NHRA professional table. Anyone's time can pass, and the clock is ticking.

See ya!!

racer4339@aol.com

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