Maybe it’s not so bad these days

OKAY, if (Burk) can be big enough to admit that all our complaining about the state of Drag Racing might be a product of the "Geezer Factor" so can I. I just sent a rant a couple weeks ago how boring the sport has become, and how it's lost its primal appeal. Well, I just attended the AZ Natl's going with VERY low expectations. I should have known better... I was proven wrong in so many areas that I had to climb down off my high horse and admit that I had a blast! I went Fri and Sun... Friday was the best qualifying I've seen in years...not so much as a minute of time as used to clear the track of debris, no oil downs and track record runs in all three Pro categories! Sunday's 1st round was very competitive with ideal weather/track conditions. The other rounds got dicey with the sun coming out, but was entertaining. The only glitch was the oil bath Morgan Lucas put down from 200ft on down the track. It was a MAJOR oil-down, but took only 25 minutes to clean and with little, if any, difference on performance in that lane.

Yes, I admit to be guilty of the "good ol' days" syndrome. Yeah, I can remember some truly memorable races and/or meets that exceed what I witnessed this weekend, but this stubborn old warhorse really enjoyed the 2012 version of my beloved sport. Can it be improved... sure, but all things being considered, and despite the hurdles the racers have to work around, they put on a damned good show... restoring my faith in what can be presented in the future.

So a "WELL DONE" to the NHRA, and especially Charlie Allen and the Firebird Raceway staff... which after the 2010 debacle really stepped up and did a great job. Thanks!

Mark Wales
Phoenix, Arizona

It takes money to make money in racing 

Jeff, you seemed surprised that Jeg's is air freighting an engine back to Ohio for repairs for next weekend's race in Phoenix.

Jeg said they have only built two Hemis so far and he'll need both for next weekend, no doubt.

I suspect you already know, but for those who don't, it costs $2-3 million per year for a decent Pro Stock campaign - if you already have the supporting infrastructure as Jeg's does. Perhaps the purse Jeggie won by lucking into the final at Pomona will cover the air freight bill?

Peter Thomas
Michigan