FEEDBACK ARTICLE - BOOOO 

If IHRA Pro Modified champion Quain Stott and teammate Tommy D'Aprile, had
respect for the fans, they would have made the run.  What they effectively did
was mess with the fans love for their country in place of running heads up. 
Shame on them. - Cameron Quwek, Edmonton, Alberta

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

Thank you for saying what needed to be said. I guess a storybook finish in Top
Fuel last year wasn't enough for these idiots to change their collective minds.
Oh well I guess it could be worse, I mean NHRA could always be thinking about
how to hang a tuner style wing off the back of a pro stock for next year, kinda
like that other "racer" organization in Daytona. - Mike Bailey, Coal City, IL.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

The new points system is idiotic. There is no need to change anything. There is
no analogy between racing and stick and ball sports. A playoff is impossible.
unless you want to tell all teams except two in each category to stay home for
the last seven races and have a 'world series' NHRA might as well go back to
another system they once had that crowned a 'world champion': having one race ,
the World Finals, determine the champ.

That made about as much sense as
this does. - Bob Cole, Longwood, Fla.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff, the new point system is a joke. It seems
idiotic to me that anybody would think that something that works so well needs
to be changed for any reason. We aren't looking at runaway leaders any more. It
seems to be overlooked that the sport, by nature, presents different obstacles
for competitors from event to event. To see a team lose any chance to win a
championship due to one event, or even one rained out qualifying session is
unthinkable.

One only has to remember Ron Capps losing a qualifying run because
Herr Fieldmarschall Rick Stewart saw oil under the car that was from an earlier
competitor. How would you explain to the Corporate folks at Faberge that their
driver was eliminated from championship contention for that reason? The proposed
system won't work like it has in NASCAR because the differences in the nature of
the racing and qualifying format are too great. Doug Kalitta can't fall back on
a provisional to get another chance on race weekend like Jeffy Gordon can.
Unfortunately, it's another example of the suits in Glendora forgetting what is
great about our sport, how will this generate any more interest in Drag Racing
than 'The Run' did at Pomona?

I can remember being able to find a general
admission seat at Indy in the 'old days'. Now I am refused a seat in an entire
grandstand, as it is reserved for MAC Tools guests. The WHOLE stand was being
occupied by SIX people on a Friday afternoon, but we were not allowed to sit. I
understand needing to take care of corporate sponsors, but not at the exclusion
of members. I avail myself of the members tent at a couple of the events, as I
have some health issues, and need a cool shady seat occasionally. I was advised
that this tent was only available at facilities owned by the NHRA, wonder why
that is, maybe because it doesn't generate any revenue, that doesn't make any
sense either, your guess is as good as mine.

It was a lot simpler back when
there were knobs on the drinking fountains and no $4.00 bottles of
water.

Great profit though, $4.00 for 25c worth of water.

"Non Profit
Organization?" Right.........

Thanks for letting me vent - Mike Ort, Fort Wayne, IN.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

I totally believe you are correct in your article about changing the points. I
have sent letters to NHRA concerning this issue to no avail. NHRA has long since
been trying to follow in NASCAR's footsteps and it is about time we step out of
the shadow of them and create our own shadow. NHRA is the largest sanctioning
body there is, we have the worlds fastest and most powerfull vehicles on the
planet, you get to see a winner every 4 to 10 seconds depending on which class
you enjoy, and the competition is brutal!

It's loud, colorfull, exciting, and
mind boggling that some of these machines can run the numbers they run.NHRA
needs a pr firm to push our sport, to make people watch our sport, and along
with that needs to be some changes such as tv coverage, our biggest problem is
down time and time in between runs so here's an idea that would work, make the
alki classes available to viewers at the same time as the big dogs, run afuel,
afuel dragsters, pro stock, funny car, than top fuel, this allows more racing,
less bologna such as scelzi says which degrades the professionalism of the sport
(never see that on nascar) and allows coverage to the "a" classes which should
be our "Busch" series and create even more sponsors that might want to come into
the sport as well as showcase the talent and give them the opportunity to be
noticed and climb to the illusive "top classes".

That is the reason for the
points change to create excitement and not sure about you, but the last two
years in drag racing have been the best damn racing i have ever seen wheather it
be midgets, dirt bikes, f1, or soap box derbys, it has been simply awesome!
Conform and we shall suffer, whats next? we have the guys run full power down
the track, make a left at the top end still under power than down the return
road? Put a flag stand in there, and guys changing the slicks in 14 seconds than
send em out again and we will be just like them. We are NOT and it's time we
stand together and make it known! - Ken, Lebanon, PA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

I couldn't agree more. Open the books. Why they don't give back to the average
racer and Pros is beyond me. With out the Joe lunch bucket racer( no slam
intended), there would not be a future Pro racer. I don't want the NHRA to
become Nascar. NO PIT PASS, No interaction with the drivers, watching the pit
crews, etc. The way they dictate rules I.E. 85% etc. with no regard of the
cost, eliminate Pro Stock Trucks Very soon we will only have the old films to
see what drag racing was like. Thank God for the AHRA. - Jeff Taylor

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - STRAIGHT AHEAD by Jeff Wolf 

I wonder how the present people in charge of NHRA got there. Who hired them?  Did the membership?  If not, why not?  This seems to be an example of the tail
wagging the dog and I didn't mean this to be funny cause it's NOT. - Dick Nichols, Batavia, NY. 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JUST ABOUT DUNN 

It is refreshing to hear from a guy that has been there done that and can voice
his opion of how it is without fear - J.D. Woods, Athens, GA. 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JUST ABOUT DUNN 

Congrats to Mr. Dunn for renewing is contract with the ESPN2 folks.  He is Drag
Racing's answer to NASCAR's trio of Larry McReynold, Jeff Hammond and Michael
Waltrip wrapped into one.

In regards to Mr. Dunn's comments on NHRA's
current policies on nitro percentages and rev-limiters, as well as, their
pending play-off schedule.  I agree... - Jack W. Smith, Chesapeake
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JUST ABOUT DUNN 

Great article on Mike Dunn.  I have always liked him as a racer and now he is
someone I enjoy listening to from race to race.  But unfortunatly I do not see
any talent in Paul Page. It is tough to listen to him just as it was in Indy
cars; so maybe this year I will have to listen on the net more.  Keep up the
good work Mike. - Catherine Gregor, Big Bear, CA.