Good racing even without the adult beverage

Burkster, a whole group of racers made the trek to Bakersfield from Salt Lake for the Hot Rod Reunion. We tried to find you, but missed you. We wanted to buy you an adult beverage. Anyway, that was some of the best racing we have seen, not to mention how well the show was run by the promoter. As we all watched one AA/FC after another qualify for almost two hours, with only one big end oil down, we all agreed in that two hours, we saw more completive racing than a whole weekend at the “Big Show”. You really don’t need 300MPH to make a great show. The stands were full and everyone loved what they were seeing. Kudos to the Nostalgia guys for a top notch presentation.

Not to mention the other bonuses like the car show in the Grove and elsewhere, the swap meet, and the best Crackle Fest in the world. The laid-back atmosphere and a bunch of competitors very serious about racing. As a weekend bracket racer, this is what I want to see when going to a race as a spectator. I would encourage anyone working on next year’s budget to attend one of these events. If I had to pick between the show and a nostalgia event, it would be a no-brainer. If fact I am considering flying out to Bowling Green next year, just so I can see some of the east coast guys we don’t get to see on the left coast. I don’t think your statement “Now that is old school drag racing” is quite right, I think it should be “Now That Is Drag Racing”.

Next year for sure with the adult beverage thing…

Earl Helm
Salt Lake City, Utah

A better idea?

Mr. Burk, I think you are right about the so-called Countdown or Chase for the Championship. In my opinion it has done nothing for the sport other than deprive several drivers, who led all season long, out of a deserved championship. In my mind, Tim Wilkerson is a prime example. It just seems unfair that a team’s whole season pivots on the last few races. I thank at the very least, they should have a regular season champ, crowned after Indy, add two wild card entries for the Countdown determined by a fan vote. If a gimmick is what they are after, then that would add to the deal. What if a wild card entry won the whole thing? I honestly think the best-case scenario would be slow the cars down, go back to the 1/4 mile, and the old championship format. I am sure this unlikely to happen, but until someone other than the three or four teams that dominate in the pro class, have some chance of winning, I do not see much increased interest in the NHRA.

Robert Brown
Punta Gorda, Florida