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I totally support NHRA's (and drag racing
as a whole) attempts to cool out the resurgent
street racing virus with special tracks and
events. I remember how nutty I was as a kid
and really think my pals and I would have supported
these kinds of events 40 years ago (as long
as I could get a Long Island iced tea every
20 minutes).
I like the (admittedly a tad weak) little
radio transmissions at the left end of the
car radio dial that NHRA introduced a while
back. You have to go back to the car. The wife's
having a baby. Jello wrestling with Hollywood
Foxes at Sh-Boom's. Things happen. The radio
deal is a major convenience. If anything, make
the signal stronger.
I love the fact that if I could afford one,
I could put a mobile home alongside a fence
a few dozen feet from the race course and watch
from a chaise lounge, smothered in Coppertone
and Cointreau atop the roof. From what I hear
that's harder to do at some of the roundy-round
stops.
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Overall, drag racing publications are more
polished and professional, although fewer in
number. For example, take a look at Drag Racer
magazine. I'm totally colorblind and think
it's the most slick, colorful book out there.
A distant but strong second to DRO. By the
way, to those thinking of starting a drag racing
magazine? Lemme give you four words to the
wise that I've used many times before: glossy
stock, staples, nudity.
And now just a couple of personal "likes."
I am more than happy that the man who put
me in this sport, not to mention hundreds if
not thousands of others, Wally Parks is witnessing
statues go up in his honor.
Like Lou Gehrig said when he knew his days
were numbered and spoke to a capacity crowd
at Yankee Stadium, "Right now, I am the
luckiest man on the face of the Earth." No
one could have a better set of friends. I haven't
been with NHRA for six years and I am still
treated royally at the drags, despite my tendency
to go snorkeling in their ice chests.
I'm currently living with my 83-year-old mother.
Sure she says, "It looks like somebody
died in these boxer shorts," or "Why
do you insist on talking with your mouth full?" She's
also told me lots of people are having it rough
now, but I've got the drag races, so. . .
"Quit yer bitchin'."
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