Who can replace AJ?
Alan Johnson is the very BEST Top Fuel crew chief.
Who can honestly criticize him for accepting the opportunity of a lifetime to field his own team at Al-Anabi?
I wonder who will replace him at DSR and how will that replacement process affect other Top Fuel or Funny Car teams?
James F. Williams
Memphis, Tennessee
The storm clouds are gathering
"To me it’s just another wealthy hobby racer such as Ken Black, Connie Kalitta or Roger Burgess deciding to get involved in the fastest motorsports in the world."
I know Black had some $$$ when he got involved, but he's been around for a long time before he stepped up to Top Fuel. Now without sponsorship for the third year, he'll be parking the car in 2009 unless somebody steps up to pay the bill. Kalitta certainly wasn't wealthy when he got in but progressed to a financial state with a lot of hard work. I don't know what Burgess has done.
With major sponsorships leaving the sport, condensed crappy TV coverage and general mayhem within the NHRA, I don't feel as optimistic as you do. I think drag racing is going to be put on the back burner and just become a cult auto sport like drifting. I see clouds on the horizon.
William Groom
Bonney Lake, Washington
Well, what is he then?
Jeff, good article, and I agree with most of it. But, I would have to know what you are on to classify Connie Kalitta as "just another wealthy hobby racer".
Sal Carbone
Face the world
Your article on welcoming the world is absolutely right on the mark. I share your concern for escalating costs, but overall it will be great. After all, we are in a global economy now. Let's learn to step up to the challenge to compete globally, even in our beloved sport. (Just so we keep measuring the track in feet not meters!)
Charles Hail
Prescott Valley, Arizona, USA
Maybe a cap on money?
I am afraid the Arab oil money will only make matters worse in drag racing. There has to be some end to the cost of racing. The stranglehold that Johnson and Schumacher have on Top Fuel this season is not good for the sport. I think that they have parts that no else can buy... I think most any of the other Top Fuel drivers could have done the same thing with that car and crew. I will be interested to see how it shakes out next year.
I recall your interview with Mr. Johnson, you could not get him to rate Tony Schumacher among his top drivers...
I also must agree with you about Paul Page, he is not the man to be covering drag racing... and the NHRA pays ESPN for him drive viewers away. I now tune in long enough to see what’s going on and get out before he starts in with his fabricated recollections of things he has no knowledge of. He is a circle track man; Mike Dunn deserves better and so do drag race fans.
In the end, I am not optimistic for drag racing in ‘09... at least from the NHRA.
Robert Brown
Punta Gorda, Florida
Oh, really?
It will be a thing to behold for NHRA fans everywhere next year. Flowing robes and head scarves on the starting line! The sheiks are coming!
Dave Smithers
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
A global view
I fully agree with you! NHRA needs more than five or six wealthy teams to survive. Things are a changing, and let's not forget the US multinational corporations started it all! It is time people in the US realized this. I know we do in Canada. Thanks again.
Bob Mencel
Canada