DRIVERS REACT TO 660
Torco’s
CompetitionPlus.com quizzed a few of the leading nitro racers in San Antonio
regarding their feelings of running eighth mile.
“I think it is only the fair thing they can do with the track conditions they have. It is going to be like match race conditions. When is the last time we’ve had an eighth-mile drag race? I’m not sure it is anything that I was looking forward to. We just have to deal with it.” – Dale Creasy, Jr.
“I haven’t done it in such a long time. I don’t know if I can find the finish line. It’s going to be something else. I think you’ll see a lot of 800-foot racing. If someone clicks it at 660 feet…I think I’ll have to go over and pat them on the back.” – Doug Foley
“It won’t cost us as much. It’s like I told someone, Live Nation puts on a lot of concerts all the time and they wouldn’t bring the Rolling Stones to play without a stage. This track owner ought to have his butt kicked. Eighth-mile? We’ll probably win.” – Bob Gilbertson
“Our approach is going to be the same. We are going to race this event as if we are racing quarter-mile. We’ll just have to shut it off early. I have run on eighth-mile before enough to know the finish line gets there in a hurry. We are out here to try and test and remain consistent. It will be a challenge just to go down the track because it is getting warmer out here. The car won’t know the difference. I will try to remember to shut it down early.” – Cruz Pedregon
"I could have stayed at home and raced eighth-mile. They had a track condition and if this makes it safe then I am all for it. I liked eighth-mile until it took away my first low qualifier in seven years. I got bumped to number two because the sun came up.” – Scotty Cannon
“I think for the situation they [IHRA] were put into they made the right decision. No one wants to watch a one-lane race track. To do an eighth-mile race here this weekend, I commend the IHRA. It was the right move.” – Del Worsham
GET THE POINT? OR NOT… - Professional competitors will have the opportunity to reset world records for eighth-mile competition. The nitro records, in IHRA competition, have remained untouched since the 1974 Southern Nationals held on the pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Funk (Top Fuel) and Barry Setzer (Funny Car) emerged as record holders.
The only catch to this is that while securing the records, the racers cannot acquire points for the feat.
The IHRA’s Mike Baker cited, “We wanted to set records, but obviously we couldn’t award points because no one would have the opportunity to ever beat them.”
Defending World Champion Dale Creasy didn’t exactly agree with the ruling.
“I’m not sure why they come up with some of the decisions they come up with,” said Creasy. “I can’t let that stuff bother me. If you let that get in your head, then you get away from what you came for. They can do whatever they want. I’m going racing.”
