4/8/05

WHO'S CHEATING?

NHRA handles cheaters in the Pro ranks according to WHO the cheater is and WHO their sponsor is. Remember the Nitrous Oxide deal with Alderman and Geoffrion? NHRA couldn't sanction MOPAR because they sponsored some events back then, so they handled it a different way. (Remember the mysterious break in at Wayne County Speed). As I remember it, after being caught red handed with the nitrous IN the car, they were politely asked to NOT show up for a period of 2 years, and develop their own cover story. (Hence, the break-in scenario).

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Almost every Pro Stock (and even a few Top Fuel) cars has used nitrous at one time or another, and some of them admitted it to the press (remember Glidden's kids and the Bob Glidden articles addressing this).

Cheating has been with us since the beginning of drag racing, and sometimes is called by different names (innovation, progress, inventive), and maybe it's GOOD because after all, WHO wants to LOSE?

With all of the electronics available now it will be VERY difficult NOW and in the future to monitor these cars.

NHRA is neither able to enforce the rules or they don't care enough to HINDER the big show, so they seem to dwell on the sportsmen ranks and lay down the smoke screen, to falsely show that they are attentive and powerful. (Ask some of the battered sportsmen.)

Gene Wagner
Boca Raton, FL

HERE IS MARTIN'S NEXT ASSIGNMENT

Why not do an article on the Beer and Food funny cars, Mike Dunn and the "Snickers" funny car, Mickey Thompson and "Peter Paul Mounds", The "Pabst Blue Ribbon" Charger. Heck there may have been a Reingold Chug a Mug sponsored cars for all I know. With all of the talk about non-automotive sponsors coming into the sport, it might be fun to look back at the past.

As Satchel Page used to say, "Don't look back, it might be gaining on you."

Steve McDonald

QUESTION ON GAINESVILLE QUOTES

Here is the quote from Chip Ellis and what you wrote after it, "I blew it. I knew Steve would do that—he usually does—but it messed me up. I tried to be prepared, but I just rushed too much." -- Ellis on going red against Steve Johnson in round one after Johnson staged early

Can you please tell me how someone stages early? Both riders were in Pre-Stage. This isn't club racing; if you're not ready to race, don't turn on the Pre-Stage light.

Shane Maloney
Green Bay, WI

PARTRIDGE HAD A WAY WITH WORDS

I always like Bernie's call for the Freight Train: "It's the Atchison (sic) - Topeka and the Chevrolets, ladies and gentlemen -- The Freight Train!" Or his call for the start of Top Fuel: "There's Thunder in the Pipes -- Top Fuel Eliminator!"

He was one of a kind when it came to announcing.

Mike Yurick