3/2/2007
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RE-THINK THE NHRA CTV COVERAGE
I whole heartedly agree with your column about the "Ashley Force" Winternationals. ESPN is giving us the fluff, not the true view of the sport. The real feeling of drag racing was shown in one of the NHRA lead-ins where a celeb was at the starting line with his fingers in his ears. The way he jumped when the cars took off is the way all of us feel about the sport. The raw horsepower and ground shaking sounds and sights need to be experienced to enjoy drag racing. Mike Dunn gives us some of that with his "color" commentary.
Paul Page has got to go; bring back Dave McClelland, Bob Frey is great but too busy with Sportsman coverage. Any big time track announcers available? I love drag racing and have watched it for 45 years now, but the TV coverage has gone the way of NASCAR. We don't need the soap operas, we need the real deal.
Thanks for reading.
Hank Jacobi
GRANDMA’S FAVORITE DRAG RACER
I just read your article -- kudos to you for speaking your mind. I had to agree while watching the race, enough is enough. I love John Force, but you are more than 100% correct about J.R. Todd. I thought they would have given him more attention than they did, after all Rookie Of the Year winning the first race!
It was different when he won his first race last season, just because he's black? Like J.R. said, when we put the helmet on, no one knows what color we are.
You will never find a nicer young man than J.R. He's worked hard to get where he is today, and he has a great crew chief and crew. I just love them all, they are so down to earth guys. I'm sure they are going to have a wonderful year.
I say a prayer every time J.R. comes to the line that he stays safe, after all, J.R. is my grandson! Thank you for the wonderful words you wrote about J.R. and his team.
Patty Mosier
J.R.’s Grandma
FROM MALCOLM DURHAM’S SON
It is not very often that I read an article that inspires me to write back. In today’s world we cannot do much without the support of others and it is very rare that you get the opportunity to read a story that truly comes from the heart. Thank you for your comments, your understanding of the history of this sport, and most of all for your passion to make it better. My Dad would have enjoyed your article very much. Keep up the good work.
Bernard Durham