Darr, Thank you for voicing what we have been thinking for too long! NHRA's tv coverage has gotten even worse this year - now you can't hear the burnouts or the launches of the nitro cars so you can hear the commentators babble. Mike Dunn is the ONLY one we like to listen to. We are sportsman racers and are SICK of the sportsman features on Ashley FORCE and Morgan LUCAS. God bless them and their racing, but what about the rest of us?!?!?!

I have written and complained, but your article (if someone at NHRA pulls their head out of the sands long enough to read it) should give them some starting points to success.

Thanks again!!

Elizabeth Kieffer

P.S.

We have written to complain about the content and coverage of the shows to both ESPN and NHRA. Both are really good at pointing fingers at the other and saying "We are not responsible for what is covered, THEY are." ESPN is down to only shooting footage Sat. and Sun at National events. No more Friday. We have also written and complained about the continuous PRE-EMPTING of the NHRA coverage by bass fishing, tennis, and yes - even YACHTING!!! This is ridiculous!!!

Hope your article moves some people! Thanks again!

Jok, I want to thank you for writing that last article. I consider myself one of the most diehard drag racing fans on this planet. I've stopped going out of my way to watch these races a couple of years ago. I feel that your site should really look at the Outlaw 10.5 races here in the south as the alternative to NHRA and even IHRA races for that matter. I've known about you for years from reading National Dragsters since the 70's so I'm pretty sure you would love the 6.00 class that they run at these events. This class blows off Super Gas class! These are full body cars with no delay boxes or any other electronics that run incredibly close to the index.

I grew up going to Englishtown every single weekend from '71-'92 then moving to Atlanta. I absolutely hated 1/8th mile racing when I got here so I didn't go to many races except the Southern Nationals and maybe a couple of points races. Now I feel like I've been reborn due to the Outlaw races. They have the perfect package which includes Limited Street, 6.00 and 7.00 classes. I truly believe that this type of racing is the future of drag racing as far track owners are concerned since they are still trying to attract paying spectators on a regular basis.

I'm sorry for being long winded but your article really hit it on the head. Thanks.

John Fore III

Darr, Brother you said it!

I, like you, am sick of the meaningless dribble that spews from these simpletons. Parker Johnstone is especially offensive to me, Bitch Boy sums him up. ESPN and Speed lack in covering Drag Racing for a number of reasons. To me the biggest problem with ESPN (is) they treat Drag Racing as any other spectator sport and give the audience the same approach as wrestling, football, and on. They need to take a lesson from the people who do the billiards coverage. Like billiards a lot of fans who watch Drag Racing also "play" so you approach them with a bit of dignity.

Scelzi's bits reduce him to a level of mediocrity he does not deserve, and that time could be used in so many other ways. I would much rather see a two hour NHRA today type show with real interviews and qualifying recaps than same day babblefests.

But I cannot bitch too much; at least they are covering it. I would like to see a Mike Dunn-Cameron Evans announce team with pit interviews from Dean Skuza. At least that might be really funny.

Michael Moore

Hey Jok, great article. Nice to know someone else has noticed that Mike Dunn should be working alone or with someone that has a clue as what drag racing is about! This article really hits the nail on the head! Keep up the good work!

Thanks.

Phil Cahoon

Darr, Hey, Damn fine piece of writing in this month's story! I AGREE 100%. I tune into NHRA drag racing because I've been to a race (or two) in my life and there is nothing like it. I turn the sound off on the TV and turn on my home sound system. Then, I turn the volume up to the point it hurts my ears. Now, I put on my hearing protection and watch the races. I want it to be like I am in the stands. Lately, the sound has been like watching a football game. Fix the sounds so we can hear it like it is at the track.

I want to see LESS of the hype (you know, I don't care about Del Worsham's kids. I'm sorry, I just don't care. I'd like to know more about his operation, but his family does not interest me in the least) and more passes down the strip.

Send a copy of your article and my letter to the NHRA and ESPN and see if they can get it right!!

Tim Brezo
Vancouver, WA

PS. Tell them I am sick to death of stick and ball sports preempting drag racing. If I want to watch that I'll tune to a regular channel.

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