My thoughts on making drag racing more exciting are maybe to try to lower the costs. I know its been said before, but I believe it is a step in the right direction. Sure the same guys would probably win the majority of the races but the entries would definitely go up. There would be no more backing into a field with 6.50 run in funny car! 

Some of my favorite times at the races were watching guys like Wayne Bailey or Butch Blair show up at the US Nationals and try to make the race. This just doesn't happen anymore. Instead, you have guys like John Force show up with what, I think three trucks and trailers? Overkill big time! Some of those guys have forgotten what drag racing is all about. It did exist before Force won six championships! 

How about a $500 fine for smoking the tires during eliminations and can the oildown fine! Drag racing is something I personally take very seriously. It's been a big part of my life for almost 20 years, although I am only 28. I started attending the U. S. Nats. in 1982 and haven't stopped since. I would hate to see drag racing die; its something that is very dear to me. If the first time spectator doesn't return then eventually there won't be enough die hard fans left to sustain the sport. 

I know that if I went for the first time to a drag race recently, I'm not sure I would return. And I really hate to say that, but the ticket prices have become a little high. It doesn't hit me too hard because most of the time I go by myself. But the guy who takes his wife and kids wants some excitement for the money he has spent. I can't say that I don't blame them! I have been to enough races to understand why cars smoke the tires; most people in the stands don't. I think I would rather see cars make a full run and oil the track than smoke the hoops right of line. 

The oildown rule is a joke. I appreciate what the NHRA is trying to accomplish, but once again, they are hitting the bucks-down racers hard. I think the biggest offender this year was Dave Grubnic, probably one of the lowest budgets teams out there that goes to every race. Their loyalty to the NHRA circuit cost them a lot of money and points this year. It's just kind of a slap in the face. I would not be the least bit surprised if guys like this just quit. I could be wrong but they are probably just trying to get all they can out of the parts supply they have. Plus, you know as well as I do that PARTS FAIL! And not because they are pushed hard; it just happens. 

Of course, this can happen in the clutch department, too. That's why I can't say the $500 fine for tire smoke would be 100% fair either! I cant speak for what it was like before I started going, but it seems the NHRA caters to the big dollar teams, of which there aren't many! This loyalty to those teams could undo them. 

I'm not on a personal vendetta against Force because he is awesome and brings a lot of fans, but man, the pit space he uses is unreal. He is kind of killing the guys he used to be like. But I do appreciate how hard he has worked to get where he is. I guess it just gets a little old seeing those Castrol cars in the final round almost every weekend! Well that's all I got. I just don't want something I care about so much wither up and die.

Thanks,

Brian Spink
Plainfield, Indiana