ORDERS FROM THE TOP?
I think Rick Stewart should have stood right in front of Tony's car until he got everybody’s attention on the team including Alan Johnson to shut off the car. I think NHRA was telling Rick Stewart via radio to let them run for the hype and money revenue it would generate for the finals. I may be wrong, but I think you might agree.
Richard Arbiso
Upland, CA
APOLOGY FORTHCOMING?
Your commentary was excellent and brutally honest and truthful. The question is...when is the NHRA under Tom Compton's leadership going to implement this needed change concerning the Chief Starter?
Seems we owe Team Kalitta an apology and much more.
John Chidester
Westminster, CA
‘SARGE’ SHOULD LOSE HIS STRIPES
This total disregard to the racing authorities that violates drag racing rules and safety should be dealt with severely by NHRA and the Army sponsor. As a thirty year Army veteran, this is a disgrace to the Army who sponsors the team. I would take the "Sarge" and bust him down lower than a "Private." Why, because Privates follow orders of their superiors better than that.
If NHRA is not going to make a stand, instead of the slap on the wrist, then the Army should stand up and say, you do not represent the Army values. This action sickens me to have the Army name represented in that manner!
Dennis Roberts
Camby, IN
TWO SETS OF RULES?
Does anyone involved with this sport believe that if this was a lesser funded or especially a sportsman team that the offending team wouldn't be suspended for a year?
Mark Madison
California
WHO’S ON FIRST?
I agree with your opinion, but maybe we need to have 1 person out there making the calls, that being Rick, then the confusion will stop.
Let the starter be the 1 person who makes the decision. Hey as a sportsman, I've been shut off by the starter before, and I am the crew chief as well as driver.
Why would I think I could ignore the starter and run the car, then talk about it later?
Gary Larsen
Clearwater, FL
A STATUS REPORT
Over the years I have read what is wrong with NHRA, and nothing has ever been done. There have been various groups representing the racers interests and concerns, but for the most part they have been ignored, and the participants sanctioned into obscurity. The NHRA knows that if they hurt you in your pocket that you will lay down and be quiet or be complacent.
It has always been this way and I don't see any changes on the horizon.
It is NHRA's way or the highway, and it seems to me that $100 tickets, $40 T-shirts, and $4
snow cones are of the utmost concern and the order of the day in Compton.
Well, my friend, sooner or later there will be a policy change and if we keep chipping away and exercising our right to challenge and complain, eventually even the deaf, dumb and blind will pay attention. Venues such as yours can only further the causes and concerns of all racers and not the chosen few.
NHRA needs to adapt to change to survive, and some of the things that NHRA has steadfastly adhered to in the past have to be revised for the health and well being of this sport.
A good place to start is at the bottom where most of us racers dwell in the mud, waiting for NHRA to allow us to race our cars at their convenience, for the same peanuts that they have paid us for years. Yes, the glory of winning is payment in itself, but the cost of racing has increased four-fold in the meantime.
I spent some time just last week at the Moroso 5-Day, and my hope has been subsequently restored that drag racing in general, at the grass roots level, has risen to a level equal to some of the pro classes. At the local level there has been some progress with the payouts over the last several years and that is a progressive good thing.
To NHRA, the winds are changing, and the little guys might just NOT be there to finance your dog and pony shows anymore. Listen to the whispers.
Gene Wagner
Boca Raton, FL
