Of bladders and four-lane stuff

I too am just wondering how ESPN2 could overlook something as unique and interesting as the HEMI Challenge. Or for that matter the many other very interesting classes. The U.S. Nationals coverage was on for five hours - they could have at least shown the final rounds of the sportsman classes. But ESPN seems more interested in presenting drag racing as a circus or ‘reality’ show. When I watch races, it is to see cars and drivers perform their best in close and fair races, not to see disaster and drama. I guess this is what divides those of us who actually race from the TV audience. 

And, just wondering who on earth has *any* interest four-lane drag racing? Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse than senseless NHRA policies, 1,000-foot fuelers, and the Force debacle at Indy, along comes this. I can’t see how this would add anything to the sport of drag racing. It is problematic from the start: multiple oil-downs means an overstressed Safety Safari and double downtime. Pity the poor racer who stages first with the RPM up while not one, but three other cars take their good ol’ time getting in!

In four-lane competition, a sixteen-car field would be eliminated to the winner in just two rounds. I don’t see the fans enjoying that. While S/C, S/G, & S/ST are painfully boring to watch, if they ran through them quickly (four lanes at a time) when could we leave the stands to head for the restroom or fetch a hamburger?

David Parsons
San Diego, California

Ooh yeah! Pro Mods on nitro!

Regarding Indy this year. To me, the Pro Mods are a throwback to the earlier days of funny cars/fuel altereds. Awesome, over-the-top cars that are unpredictable and a lot of fun to watch. They have become the best thing to watch at an NHRA event.

That said, while attending qualifying on Saturday, when Pro Stock Motorcycle finished and the Pro Mods were up, half the people left the stands.

This class apparently needs better PR or it needs to run nitro to succeed.

Tom Ales
Larsen, Wisconsin

Short and to the point

I liked the racing, although Pro Mod is long overdue for its pro class appearance. ESPN needs to show more racing and less yak-idy-yak.

Tony and John, kiss and make up. Bring on the four-lane drags!

Jack Smith
Phoenix, Arizona