Burk’s in a Winter “Wonder” Land

Just Wondering … How many of those non drag racing fans who jam the grandstands at ADRL and Pinks All Out events for their first drag racing experience turn into real drag race fans?

Just Wondering … Will the Pinks All Out folks eventually have a World Champ of the “Arm Drop start” race? It’s reality TV -- of course they will.

Just Wondering … Still on the Pinks, is it just a matter of time before we see a brawl on a Pinks episode or someone try to punch out Rich Christensen?

Just Wondering … Considering the $121,000,000-plus the NHRA grossed in 2007 and the current state of the economy, has the asking price to buy the NHRA gone up or down?

Just Wondering … Do the NHRA suits really think their series won’t be adversely affected by the economic downturn? Is that why they haven’t taken any obvious proactive steps regarding the issue and are even raising fees and charges from last year’s levels?

Just Wondering … Do you think it’s driving the NHRA and IHRA management nuts that the ADRL seems to have no problems attracting major sponsors, getting booked at major tracks and evidently making a profit without charging the racers to race or the fans for a ticket?

Just Wondering … How much is the economy having an affect on auto racing? Who would have ever thought that Dale Earnhardt Senior’s and Richard Petty’s NASCAR teams would virtually disappear for lack of sponsors.

Just Wondering …Why shouldn’t NHRA’s Tom Compton get a raise every year? With his guidance the NHRA keeps making more profits each year and in 2007 made almost six million in profits according to their tax returns.

Just Wondering … So why shouldn’t NHRA’s  professional teams get a purse raise of some sort every time the series makes more sales and more profits? Answer: That just isn’t a good policy for a business trying to make a profit.

Just Wondering … What does Dallas Gardner do in the one hour per week that he works on the NHRA Board of Directors to justify a $330,000-a-year paycheck? This kind of corporate greed is why so many of us have issues with the NHRA management.

Just Wondering … Will someone explain to me again why they keep laying off people at the NHRA while the company just keeps making more money and profit each year? I’m no socialist, but it just seems odd that they keep cutting the budget and work force at the NHRA.

Just Wondering … Now that Detroit automakers have essentially withdrawn as sponsors of NHRA drag racing and teams, will some of the restrictive rules put in the books by Wally Parks to cater to Detroit be removed or modified for the benefit of the sport?

Just Wondering … I know I’ve probably brought this up before, but wouldn’t NHRA and IHRA Pro Stocks be more relevant with a 400-ci limit on engine size, the superchargers, turbochargers and EFI fuel systems that are standard equipment on current “muscle cars” and E-85 fuel in the tank?

Just Wondering … Is the ADRL now the second most influential sanctioning body in drag racing? Evidently the National Guard, many manufacturers and some of the most prestigious tracks in the U.S. think so.

Just Wondering … Is it just a coincidence that the two most innovative promoters in recent drag racing history, Kenny Nowling and Rich Christensen, both shave their heads?

Just Wondering … Come Feb. 5, 2009, just how many Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock teams will show at Pomona?  I’ll set the over/under line at 35!