WHO CARES?

Thanks for providing some statistical truth on this topic. I use to fondly anticipate the start of the NHRA season because tv was the only way I was going to see most of the events. Sadly, I no longer feel this way. If I miss a race, I don't even tape it anymore. Why is this? Two reasons, primarily.

First, the show itself is simply not as exciting. And, exciting is the key word (not entertainment). There used to be a phrase, "Don't bet on a drag race". I don't think that is true any longer. The pro racing is very predictable, especially with the advent of the multi-car teams and, of course, the super-funded teams. I have seen too many forgettable first rounds of Top Fuel.

And, what about team orders? Two cars from the same team in the final round? Well, I don't think Mike Dunn will be saying, "That was just a good old-fashioned drag race." Do you remember Infineon this year and Katitta vs. Grubnic? What race? They never raced. I was there and got robbed of my $65.00 ticket price. I'm not going back to that race, ever! NHRA's show is simply not that exciting. Get rid of Pro Stock, and other than nitro Harley, who wants to watch gasoline-powered motorcycles? Give me Pro Mod, gassers, and fuel altereds.

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If the agenda is not worth watching from the stands, why endure the annoying ESPN broadcast crew? Actually, the technological presentation is quite good, but the cast of characters other than Mike and Parker can be cut adrift. I'd rather spend an hour in the dentist chair than have to listen to another insipid top-end interview from Bill Stephens. Gag me one time! I like the drama and tension of the fuel cars firing, burning-out, backing-up, close-ups of the drivers and all the procedures they do to properly launch the car, and of course, the actual race. Show more of this, morons!!! There is just too much of the goofy, superfluous nonsense in the tv show. Hey, and some eye candy wouldn't hurt, either. Have you ever seen the drag race presentation from England on the Speed Channel? She can interview me anytime.

So, thanks, Darr, for re-enforcing in my mind that I won't be missing anything next year if I fon't watch or go to an NHRA race. Other fans are tuning out, too!! See you at the March VRA race at "the Patch."

Thanks for the great site-100 times better than National Dragster (sponsors, pay attention).

Steve Justice
Pinole, CA

DRAG RACING GETS NO RESPECT

The article Darr Hawthorne wrote on fan attendance and TV watching of NHRA events is right on the money. I for one have many times set my VCR to tape a show on late at night only to find that some women's tennis match ran long, and that if I didn't set the VCR to tape 6 hours, I either missed parts of the race or maybe the whole thing.

Now, I do not knock anyone's interest in what they enjoy, but I can tell you one thing, when NASCAR is on TV, I have never seen it being pre-empted for anything but rain or see a shorter show because a Little League game ran long. I think when the contract runs out with ESPN, they should go directly to SPEED, a channel dedicated to motorsports, not poker. Fans get tired of seeing when the race will be on and maybe want to sit and watch, or if it is on late, set the VCR, only to find that ESPN, god forbid, has to make sure you see Billy Bob bluff his way to a win with a flush.

Maybe I will become a NASCAR fan -- at least when their races are on you see it when its supposed to be on, and in its entirety. Just kidding....

Tom Gondal