THE OPTIMIST IN ME -- sees a time on the horizon when every little change on the drag racing landscape does not trigger a tidal wave of racers who believe that their class of racing will be the next in line for the all-important PRO designation. There are only three Pro classes, and we all know what they are. Some of us think there are only two, but we are widely regarded as heretics, or worse. I will give the Pro Mod folks the nod as a possible addition to the Pro ranks, but only because they are the most persistent of those clamoring for Pro status. For all you racers out there who are currently racing as sportsmen, take heart. NHRA is alive and well, and they now cannot say they have no money to pay you guys. If they haven't spent it all yet, and/or the lawsuits don't kill them, NHRA may well be ready to do right by all of you sportsman racers. And I'm sincerely hoping they do just that!
THE OPTIMIST IN ME -- believes cooler heads will prevail regarding international expansion of the NHRA Pro Tour. I know that's not even a working title for the new group, but I don't care. Maybe the new guys could do some sneaky cross marketing research and ask the IHRA racers how attractive those Canadian markets are to their sponsors. What sponsors, you ask? Point taken. Besides, there have got to be markets in the USA that would welcome a national drag racing event, that do not currently host one. Whoever thought San Antonio would make a good host for a drag racing event? IHRA has done well there, if you hadn't noticed. Get your maps out, and get busy in the USA! Nothing against Canada - especially the Canadian fans. Going international will escalate travel expenses, and pro teams will need to extract still more funding from Corporate America just to maintain their own status quo. I don't like it, not at all.
THE OPTIMIST IN ME -- sees a time when all pro racers have the same shot at the proverbial dollar pie, with the new group pitching in with marketing help available to all who seek it. If the new guys really want to grow the sport, they need to grow the ranks of nitro racers. Setting aside all extraneous talk, cars that burn nitro are what people pay money to see. All else is filler. I know that's harsh, but just watch the fans leave the stands at any national event as soon as the last nitro car goes down the track. If seeing it happen doesn't convince you, you just don't want to know the truth. New Guys, pay attention now. Give us more nitro!
THE OPTIMIST IN ME -- just knows most drag racing insiders will give the New Guys the benefit of the doubt, at least initially. That is said tongue-in-cheek, knowing as I do what a provincial mind-set some people bring to the dance. Some will hate the New Guys, just because the aren't the Old Guys. some will overlook even the most egregious errors the New Guys make, in the hope of the eventual great outcome. I hope to fall somewhere in the middle, praising advances in fairness and better payouts for ALL Pro racers, yet offering well reasoned critiques of the New Guys missteps. I have no history with the new group, no axe to grind, and am seeking no role, paid or otherwise with the new group. Let me close by saying-- Let The Games Begin!! Later!
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