Keep Up The Great Work

I have been a drag racing fan since I was a kid and I'm now 42. I was told about the web site from a friend and I have to say it blows NHRA.com away. I look forward to all the great photos taken at each of the races and all the other things the site covers.

However I'm writing this to you because of the photos. I think the ones you guys post are the best out there! They cover a wide range of classes and drivers and I really like that. Speaking of coving things, NHRA.com did not even bother to shoot the Garlits tribute car at all. Oh Sure they posted the drawing of it before the race which is cool but why not any of the car at the track? Oh, maybe because the car didn't win the race? yeah, that must be it!!

Please don't change the format or any thing else you’re doing because as I said I really look forward to the work you guys do!

Please tell the whole crew there to keep up the fantastic work because they make NHRA.com look like a bunch of rookies! - Paul D. Black

Beware of the Gators

I thought I’d share a story with you about the Gators.

Planning for the event I was going to take my neighbor and my 9 year old daughter so I bought good reserved Saturday tickets in advance. The day before my neighbor couldn’t go because his Grandmother passed away so I have a $59 reserved seat I couldn’t use. When Katie and I got to the track we went to the ticket plaza and I asked this guy if he wanted to buy a ticket that was beside us. The guy was somewhat on the rough side appearance wise but I’m not one to judge a book by it’s cover. The guy turned out to be an under cover Alachua County Sherrif’s Deputy. He confiscated my ticket and threatened to have me and my 9 year old physically removed from the property if I wanted to discuss it at all (no raised voices or anything). There was a small two foot by two foot sign on the top of the ticket building that said ticket sales were forbidden. My daughter didn’t know what was going on and with the Jessica Lungsford thing down in Citrus County all over the TV she was scared to death over this scruffy guy and she started crying like crazy.

OK, I understand if NHRA has an interest in stopping fraudulent ticket sales. Verify them. I understand that there is a Florida law against scalping tickets by selling them at a price above the face value however a transaction between two consenting adults over a piece of legitimately owned property is legal and reasonable. Neither one of us is rich. You know as well as I do that $59 is $59, which is substantial. Try taking $59 out of your wallet, tearing it up into little pieces and throwing it into the trash. How do you feel? You worked hard for that money (at least I did). I mean for goodness sakes, even if he would have identified himself and given me a cease and desist order I would have given the stupid thing away to someone somewhat deserving.

I came away from that event with a really empty feeling. I used to love drag racing. It’s hard to believe that you would see this kind of greed out of a non-profit organization. I think maybe Bruton Smith would be good for NHRA. There needs to be some changes.

I hope you’re doing well!! You’ve done a tremendous job with your site. Keep up the great work. - Paul Fink

To Sell? Or Not To Sell?

Great article!

Now I know where to get the rest of the story.
After reading the article I am of the openion that it might be in the racers best interest if NHRA did sell to Burton. There is a lot going on in NHRA that is not good that most fans don't realize.

It is a shame that the purse at National events is so meager when compared to other motorsports. - Bob Holley

I was glad to hear a more candid report on what is actually going on for the moment. I along with many first heard this on NHRA Today this past Sunday, reported by Marty Reid.

It is my feeling that Mr. Smith is being considered as someone to take NHRA into the future. However, I believe that at this time things will remain as they are currently with the NHRA. I do feel that when the Founder passes on , the door will be open. - Jack Smith

I recently attended my first ever Nextel and Busch race at Vegas.
Great show awesome turnout. No closeup in the pits however.
The best thing the NHRA could do is to sell to a wonderful promoter as Bruton Smith.

He would make the necessary adjustments to the NHRA National events
taking it to the next level that would translate to bigger crowds and participation at the divisional and local small tracks.

The Pro classes including Pro Mod and the Nitro Harleys would blossom with double or triple the car counts. Fans would be lined out the gates.
A real winner for all of us drag racing and motorsport fans and participants. - tspargo@dccnet.com

Mr. Smith would most likely bring the NHRA to a 'major status' format.

While Mr. Parks has done an admirable job in developing the NHRA , the times dictate a businessman and an enthusiast get involved. This would allow the sport to grow and it would address the issues faced by the constant 'rules' changes that plague the sportsman racers. Frankly, a few lessons from IHRA would be well learned.

Lastly, all know that SFI, which is now independent, was an arm of the NHRA. There are many things there that need to be addressed or changed and I feel Mr. Smith has the where with all to 'see' these things and the clout to implement them. A private message will get you very concrete examples.

I wish Mr. Smith well and it is time for Mr. Parks to bow out with grace. - John Potocki

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