CROSSOVER APPEAL Much has been made of how many NHRA heave hitters will be racing at IHRA national events, now that IHRA has re-included nitro funny cars. I would be very surprised if ANY of the big names make more than a token appearance at IHRA venues. For the paying customer's sake, I hope I'm dead wrong on this count! Anyone familiar with the political battles between NHRA and IHRA should not expect too many racers to cross party lines with any regularity. If you factor in the cost of racing, and the demands placed on crew members, you've got a pretty stout deterrent package standing in the way. I think it is more likely that racers who qualify in the bottom half of the filed at NHRA races, or who struggle to make the cut will be the ones tempted to go the IHRA route. Time will tell on this deal, but look for what happens after the first two IHRA dates, when the meat of the NHRA schedule comes along.
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WE NEED A BIG ONE!! Make that a big race!! Something special, like the All Star Game (pick a sport)! We have had this in the past (Bristol, Force Vs Bernstein, et al.), but whatever has been tried so far hasn't had any staying power. Don't know why, do you? Any way, here's my latest idea for a BIG ONE. Call it The Big One, and limit it to Top Fuel and Nitro Funny car. Pay Big Money - say, three times the regular national event rate, and use a point system instead of the usual ladder elims. You know, something different! Pay points for round wins, rankings by ET, rankings by Top Speed, add 'em all up and ya got yer winnahs!! Surely, with all the marketing firepower on staff at NHRA, this is something they could sell to somebody. They might even get it on TV! Judging from all the absolute crap I have seen on television lately, this would fit right in. And what would be the harm in trying? And NHRA, if you need a reason, it would be one less weekend your boys could go race with IHRA? Food for thought, eh?
FLOGGING, BY INVITATION By now, maybe Mike Ashley will have that coveted deal with NHRA nailed down. Maybe not. But if he, or someone else ever does get Pro Mod back in the NHRA fold, I hope he junks the "by invitation only" approach. I truly believe that approach has no merit, in terms of fair competition and opportunity. Charge entry fees, do what must be done to let the racers willing to endure the situation in the pit gate. Otherwise, let that horse lay down and stay down. Too much has been made of it already.
REALITY BITES I don't know quite what to make of the reality show starring John Force and Family. Has it been on yet? If it has, I missed it. Drat!! All I know so far is a small blurb I read in the TV / Entertainment section of my local paper. The gist of which was, "John Force's addiction to drag racing collides with his family's needs," or some such kind of swill. I know the need to hype exists, but I think in this case the show might be the exact opposite of the reality. Force's operation is a beacon-type example of how to take care of your family, and get them involved in your way of life. Now, I don't wear rose colored glasses, and I know John too well to say he's a saint. But present-day status, Force is all about family and what he can do to get them where they want to go. Maybe I will watch that show, after all.
That's it for now. Match racers, contact me if you have dates for 2006 booked. I would love to do an entire Lenny's Line on the Match Race Trail, circa now!
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