TV TIMES MAKE WATCHING DIFFICULT
No way do I sit up and wait for qualifying that late. In fact I have chosen not to watch too many of the Ashley Force Drag Racing competitions on ESPN.
Once in a great while I'm able to watch the sportsman shows with Bob Frey, who seems to know more than anyone else broadcasting drag racing. NHRA is again copying NASCAR with the pre-race shows, and don't be surprised if drag racing doesn't start racing in circles.
Jerry Ferris
San Angelo, TX
SAFETY IS WORTH THE PRICE
I agree with your thoughts that 1/8-mile runs would be OK. When I attend a NHRA event, I sit around the 90-foot area. Yes, some grandstands would need to be changed at tracks, but this would be a small price for safety.
J Burns
Memphis, TN
NOTHING WRONG WITH EIGHTH MILE
I couldn't agree with you more on the 1/8-mile racing. I "conveniently" worked my work/travel schedule around the ADRL race in Houston this past March where they ran on an 1/8 mile and the racing was great. Other than racing at Eddyville, this was my only trip to another 1/8-mile track. I talked with a couple of people who had been out to the 1/4 mile Houston Raceway Park, and they thought the racing on the 1/8 mile was better.
Aaron Hoots
S/G 3319
Iowa
THIS DRIVER IS WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK
I totally respect your opinion. I do have a question though. If it is that dangerous, why do any of us do it (professionally or sportsman)? I do feel bad for Eric Medlen’s family, honestly I do, but while he was here I don't think there was anything he'd rather do than go as fast as he was going driving the car he was driving.
We all know it's dangerous...I (and all of my close sportsman friends) don't care. I can tell you right now if my time comes this weekend cruising down the QUARTER mile, that's fine.
Death is part of life and racing, just like winning and losing, red lighting and cutting a terrible light, breaking out or not running the number, all of it happens...if you don't like it, don't do it.
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Propose the "going slower" idea to sponsors. Tell Budweiser that you wanna slow down Brandon Bernstein to the numbers his dad was running in 15 years ago. The executives could use the still warm handprints on the door that Miller Lite used when the left the sport. Go slower? Are you kidding me? If the drivers are afraid of dying, replace them with a driver that isn't (or assumes the risk). There are a bunch of us waiting impatiently for our chance.
The sport is hurting enough, don't take away the only appeal it has going for it, the occasional speed. Let’s face it, pro cars are a joke. Their qualifying sessions are mediocre at best. Over half the field smokes the tires or blows up. The rare 330-mph run is all the few fans we have show up for. Slow them down and there are going to be the same percent of under-budget, unqualified, inexperienced teams struggling to get down the track. The ultimate run of 300 mph is just plain unimpressive because of the fact that everybody knows it was already done in the early ‘90s.
This letter wasn't to try to piss you off, I hope you understand. This is simply my opinion, fortunately or not, it is the way a bunch of us sportsman racers feel about the safety subject in drag racing.
Thank you for reading.
Jeremy Lehrke
