STILL ESPN-ING

I just read your story on ESPN`s coverage of NHRA drag racing. I tend to agree with you on a lot of the points you made. I am totally disappointed with the way this sport is covered by ESPN.

I too never understood why people like Brandon Bernstein get an interview and air-time when they lose. The announcers seem to have picked favorites for interviews.

I personally am thrilled to death when one of those B-list teams takes out an A-list team. What I don't like is the fact that the A-list driver always gets interviewed while the little guy never gets to say a word.

But I think you left out one very important thing when you were talking about ratings being so low. In my opinion one of the biggest problems the show has is the fact that they aired half of the season after 1 a.m. Eastern time. I am a major fan of this sport and I had to miss most of the season because I didn't feel like getting up at 3 am to watch a race on a Sunday night. And the fact that every time there is a race scheduled there is some tennis match or yacht race that has to conclude before we get to watch drag racing.

Like all drag racing fans you wait for the season opener. Here in Michigan it was on at 1 am. The announcers I can live with but I don't need all the graphics in my face when I am trying to watch a race. Let me watch them start the car, let me watch the burnout and the backup, and let me watch the race without all the talk. 

Personally, I hope that after 2006 when the contract is up with ESPN that someone looks at alternatives because this is just not cutting it.

As far as team orders go, that is no big secret. Everyone knows what's going on when you see a car go up in smoke when the second stage of the clutch comes in. Or go into tire shake because it's been detuned. That's part of the problem in all forms of motorsports now, not just drag racing. That's one of the drawbacks of multi car teams. I remember when Angelle Savoie came up to the line and parked her bike so the championship was assured for her teammate. It definitely did not win the fans' hearts that's for sure.

The NHRA also has to step up and maybe level the playing field a bit. Let's face it, you always see the same 16 cars basically every week. If something isn't done so the smaller underfunded teams can compete, this sport will end up dying a slow, painful death. The 85% rule was a start, for a while there was side by side racing. Now it's back to the way it was.

Anyway I enjoyed the article, keep on telling it like it is.

Sincerely
Joel Bramblett

PRO MOD RULES

I agree with every word, Jeff. I was there, in the 1960's and early 1970's. We all saw major changes throughout those years, in both speeds and safety capabilities. Even before, though, it's always been the choice of those who (and not all did) "strap themselves in." As for rules changes, guess I've gone beyond getting uptight about that stuff. Just look at what you wrote about all the varying "Pro Mod" circuits. Just imagine if every different level of "stick and ball" sports had their own variation of "the rules." Oops. Wait a minute! They do, don't they?

Thanks again.

Steve Swaja

BRACKET FINALS

I just read (Jok's) article. I have attended many finals IHRA and NHRA. I find what you are saying to be very true, they almost force you to enter the gamblers race to get any Time Trials. Who keeps the money made off the gamblers? The sanctioning bodies or the home track? Or is it split amongst the participating tracks? I am a Div 3 racer and attended the Finals at Norwalk a few weeks ago. The gamblers race wasn't over until 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning!!! It started at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. Everyone there must have entered and bought back! ($40 & $25) I think it was 9 or 10 rounds. I am guessing that the payback was less than 50% of the take. Total purse was $5200 each for the Top and Mod classes.

Last year we got rained out after one round. By the graciousness of their heart (LOL) they took $600 of profit and gave it back to the racers just so everyone who won one round could get their entry money back ($40). The posted purse was like $5400 I think. At least this year we didn't have to put up with the "Olympics of Drag Racing," thank God.

Keith Gerlach