Coming into his new leadership role, newly appointed NHRA President Peter Clifford knew he needed to make an impact.

Two weeks into his administration, he's made two key moves which have done just what the NHRA needed.

Right now it looks all good on paper and computer screens.

Finally!  Something positive.

Kudos to new NHRA president Peter Clifford for making his first big decision a universally positive one.  NHRA’s hiring this week of writer, columnist and commentator Terry Blount as its new vice-president of Communications and Public Relations was a huge step forward for the sanctioning body and the sport.

That said, it’s not a move that immediately will restore any of the credibility lost in the debacle of the previous four months when no one, at least no one in a position of authority, saw fit to provide racers, fans, the media or anyone else an explanation for the extended absence of the company’s then president, Tom Compton.  

Sometimes, old sayings have the advantage of actually being true.

Here’s one:

“You only have one chance to make a good first impression.”

I’m pretty sure Dallas Gardner and Peter Clifford have heard it. I’m absolutely sure they don’t understand it.

The NHRA once again has proved that in this era of transparency, it’s about as transparent as a block of granite.

After being MIA for four months, Tom Compton suddenly emerged to announce his retirement and there was no attempt on the part of the NHRA to provide any sort of explanation. According to the NHRA, all of us were told just as soon as they heard the news from Tom. So, apparently, Tom talked to no one for 120 days. Yeah, right.

These, of course, are the same people who later this year will wonder why the media continues to ignore our sport. Duh!

NHRA president Tom Compton hasn’t been seen in public since the week following the Gatornationals. In the midst of all the speculation, which had been taking place largely in the background, another web site posted an article claiming to be an accurate depiction of what’s been going on. I won’t comment on the veracity of that article because I don’t honestly know what’s true and what’s mere speculation. But I do know this. The National Hot Rod Association’s mishandling of this situation is more than astonishing. It’s one more egregious example of their arrogance (“Only we know what’s best for drag racing.”) as well as their total lack of understanding of how things work in the modern corporate and media worlds.

If Mr. Compton is suffering from a debilitating illness, if a family member is dealing with a major crisis, or even if, as has been claimed by some who swear they know the truth, that he’s dealing with problems that can only be solved through extended care in a specialized facility, NHRA needs to publicly say so, in detail.

Will the NHRA avoid the icebergs which threaten to sink the ship?

The Titanic was a grand ship, built to the nines and more than ready to conquer the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Even Captain John Edward Smith was alleged to have proclaimed, "Even God himself couldn't sink the Titanic."

While history confirms the Titanic ignored at least 30 warnings as it steamed from Ireland en route to the United States, one must wonder if NHRA executives will do the same.