Just Wondering…Whatever happened to the "dry hop" that Fuel Coupes used to do?

Just Wondering...Why do drag racing sanctioning bodies continue to inflate attendance figures? A good example of this was the quote in National Dragster reporting that the Saturday crowd at the Gatornationals was "the largest single day crowd in NHRA history." Was the Gainesville crowd larger than some they've had at Pomona over the years (which reputedly holds 40,000 fans)? Was it bigger than past crowds at the Texas Motorplex or Route 66 Raceway, both of which seat over 30,000 or bigger than U.S. Nationals crowds? I doubt it.

Just Wondering...Don't the sanctioning bodies understand that the corporate sponsors, legitimate press, and fans know what a full house looks like and all the inflated attendance figures they release do is undermine the credibility of those same sanctioning bodies.

Just Wondering...Haven't the sanctioning bodies figured out yet that the only people who believe those inflated numbers are the racers themselves and that's why they think the sanctioning bodies are making money hand over fist? When racers start multiplying the cost of a Sunday $50+ ticket by say a 100,000 attendance figure, is it any wonder they get angry at the pay window? (I know, I know not all tickets are $50+ just as I know 40,000 to 50,000 fans don't attend on Sunday.)

Just Wondering...Why NHRA turned off the "Jumbotron" at Gainesville when the Pro Mods ran or why they decided to not give the biggest story that NHRA has had in a decade any time on their television broadcast or cover them in National Dragster? I'm really puzzled about the no TV time on the Sunday program since there was no live racing on Sunday. Who were they protecting? The Pro Stock racers, the Pro Stock truck racers, or some other group trying to protect their turf?

Just Wondering...How long will it be before some smart Pro Stock racer builds a new Camaro or Grand-Am or Neon, puts a 710 inch nitrous engine under the hood and goes really fast. We already know they can do it with 500 inch motors with nitrous oxide. Those factory, wind tunnel developed and massaged bodies are much, much more aerodynamic than a '63 split window 'Vette.

Just Wondering...Detroit is heavily involved in NASCAR, and CART and NHRA drag racing. Chrysler, Chevy and even Cadillac have factory teams with purpose-built, exotic, road race/endurance cars that barely resemble factory iron (a good example is the new Cadillac road racer which is the cover car of the new issue of Circle Racing Online). Why wouldn't Detroit be interested in an EFI/nitrous car that looks just like a gas-burning, carbureted Pro Stocker but can run 6.20s at 225?

Just Wondering...Has anyone figured out how much more air time the Pro classes get with the super slo-mo cameras? It's significant. NHRA had better make sure the sponsored cars get that super slo-mo shot at least once a race.

Just Wondering...When are the producers of the NHRA television show going to get the clue that the noise of a Fuel car is one of its main attractions? Why don't they shut up the announcers and turn up the volume on the slo-mo shots or when the nitro cars stage? All it would take for them to understand is to watch one Dean Papadeas video and they would know that it is the only thing to do. Currently, those six thousand horsepower nitro burners in Top Fuel and Funny Car sound like '63 Volkswagens when they stage or launch on television.

Just Wondering...With the economic slowdown, what are the chances of seeing anymore "super tracks" getting built soon?

Just Wondering...When will NHRA start to take advantage of having 73 year young drag racing legend Chris Karamesines as a major player? Television and newspapers on the tour are tired of writing about the same racers year after year. Their readers and viewers are probably tired about reading about the same people. I wonder what NASCAR would do if they had a septuagenarian competing at the highest level? Especially if he was a racer that broke one of the most significant barriers in drag racing-the first 200 mph pass.

Just Wondering... How mad is Don Garlits that the Greek got a four-second pass at an NHRA event before he did? Any bets that Garlits tries to get a ride and get a 300 mph lap before the Greek does?

Just Wondering...How long will it be before SFX announces that they have bought the Texas Motorplex?

Just Wondering...It's no secret that Emap USA has their Petersen magazine division (Hot Rod, Car Craft, etc) for sale. What will happen to their NMCA street-legal racing program if new owners take over?

Just Wondering...Since NHRA has adopted IHRA's Pro Mod class, why doesn't IHRA book in some Nitro Coupes and give themselves a doorslammer class that NHRA doesn't have?

Just Wondering...Isn't the $5.00 shoeshine you get in an airport the best money a weary traveler can spend? For five bucks you get an elevated, soft seat and for at least 15 minutes you get your feet massaged, shoes shined and catch up on the news and gossip from the guy or gal doing the work. I guarantee you'll feel better when you get out of the chair.

See you at the races.

photo by James Drew

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