Draglist.com Drag Racing

It's "Feedback Friday", meaning I respond to your emails regarding my recent blogs... Evidently the case of "mistaken identity" between Chaz Bono and NHRA Pro Stock superstar Larry Morgan has caused some controversy... My suggestion that the DANCING WITH THE STARS producers ask Larry Morgan on the show resulted in a slew of emails expressing a rather bitter opinion from much of the drag racing community that I certainly didn't anticipate-- The majority of those emails coming from drag racin' folks expressed their belief that an NHRA drag racer (even one as popular as John Force) would NEVER be invited by the DANCING WITH THE STARS producers to appear on the show... I find that opinion expressed by so many of my drag racing friends to be quite unsettling and disheartening... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... MOST OF YOU THINK THERE'S NO WAY AN NHRA DRAG RACER WOULD BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ON ABC-TV'S "DANCING WITH THE STARS" SHOW...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/in ... &Itemid=27

With the California Hot Rod Reunion getting closer on the calendar, the anticipation for this grand nostalgia gathering is gaining momentum... Of course, for those nostalgia drag racing buffs suffering from a "compromised immune system" and/or a serious "pre-existing medical condition", the concerns of the alleged "Valley Fever" sickness are once again rearing its ugly head... I've been asked by readers to address this matter, and I try my best to oblige with today's blog... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION "VALLEY FEVER" HEALTH SCARE A BUNCH OF HYPED-UP HOOEY NONSENSE??...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

Nostalgia Racing at CHRR a Serious Health Concern for Nostalgia Buffs?...

This particular weekend the "stars" come out to Maple Grove... NHRA's 60 year celebration compounded with the Grove's own "Walk of Fame" festivities means the "legends" are booked rock solid to appear and meet their public... Joe Amato is the "headliner"... Other luminaries include Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Larry Lombardo, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits (the legendary racer who provided me with my most controversial interview, uh, yup, UFOs and aliens), Shirley Muldowney, Connie Kalitta-- (whew, life sure can be a "Heart Like A Wheel" affair), and last but certainly not least, Bruce "USA-1" Larson (Bruce is one of my all-time favorite drag racing heroes-- I respect Bruce in infinity oodles through eternity)... And of course ya can't have a decent Maple Grove event without the Amish kids on the hill (sounds like a good B-movie)... I discuss the drag racing stars and the "rebellious" assembly of Amish youngins' with today's blog installment... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... AMATO, "GRUMPY", LARSON, GARLITS & OTHER DRAG RACING GREATS GRAVITATE TO "THE GROVE"... AND HOW 'BOUT THOSE AMISH KIDS??...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

"BIG DADDY" beams down to Maple Grove for his public...

Garlits talked up a UFO and alien storm with yours truly. Making both of us a bit more "controversial" among the mainstream masses. I don't regret making my interview with him public, I believe that Don Garlits has a right to express his views to me and the camera, whether he's talking about extraterrestrials or monostrut wings..

Shirley rolls into the Grove like the proverbial "Heart Like a Wheel" she truly is. Connie Kalitta will be there too. Oh yeah, "Heart Like a Wheel" moments aplenty...

Shirley gives yours truly the "real skinny" in a brutally honest fashion that not many others in the sport dare. And it's all TRUTH, not the usual blowhard geezer lies and stuff that pollutes our sport's history. Shirley's credibility is beyond reproach in my opinion. You can genuinely TRUST that what Shirley's telling you is the GOD HONEST TRUTH...

Bruce "USA-1" Larson also booked in as part of Maple Grove's Grand Celebration...

Bruce is one of my real heroes of the sport. His wholesome lifestyle combined with his humble (yet extremely fierce) competitive spirit shines like no other. His smarts and driving skills have made Bruce one of Drag Racing's real "racer's racer" kind of guys. Bruce is also an incredible gentleman. I appreciate that quality in a man...

Me, Jack, and brother Tim are planning to come to the Grove on Sunday.. bp

Hope you guys have lots of fun at "The Grove"... All the "legend worthy" racers scheduled to appear is a true gathering of Drag Racing's strongest and greatest spirits-- Well worth the price of admission alone for those who truly know their Drag Racing history... In today's blog I discuss an upcoming show scheduled for the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City, OK... Besides it being my favorite music venue of the whole entire nation, it's the location that kicks off the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY tour... Johnny Kelly now plays drums in the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY-- The Johnny Kelly of TYPE O NEGATIVE fame finds a home w/Zakk Wylde and his bodacious band of incredible musicians... Johnny Kelly plays guest drums with BIG STICK on a track from our upcoming release-- Many of us know Johnny for his sweet '70 SuperBee that he races at Englishtown... Wow, all this and more with today's blog installment... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... READERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY AREA TAKE NOTE-- BLACK LABEL SOCIETY COMING TO THE DIAMOND BALLROOM!!...
http://dragracingunderground.com/~dragr ... &Itemid=27

Last few days took a breather from recording & mixing with BIG STICK... Been busy working the high-class 'n' humongous SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN outlaw doorslammer event... Dave Hance and the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park crew did an incredible job of making this dastardly doorslammin' spectacular dazzle the satisfied 'n' sizable crowd... I list the class winners and say my thanks to some of the many people who helped make it such a bang-up success... For the last few days the blog has been practically all SHAKEDOWN related content... And yes, I encountered those pesky NASCAR guys at "The Race Zone" bar again, the same two who were bothering me a few weeks ago over the slight resemblance between Chaz Bono and NHRA Pro Stock Superstar Larry Morgan... You can catch up at the link below... SHAKEDOWN was the darn best, most important "independent" drag race this motorsport journalist has experienced in many moons... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN 2011... RENEWING OUR FAITH IN THE POWER OF INDEPENDENT DRAG RACING...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27


Yours truly with SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN creator and promoter extraordinaire Dave Hance...

I've known Dave for many years. He's the most stand-up promoter in drag racing today. The public agrees as they flock to his SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN event...

After experiencing the intensity of SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN, three full days and nights of it, and now having a little breathing room to contemplate it all, inspired me to write today's blog, acknowledging the so-called "unsung heroes" of drag racing... SHAKEDOWN's "always at the ready" rescue crew, and the folks working the track prep/maintenance operation were all first rate... They're impressive and able to diligently perform flawlessly "on task"-- I admire how well these folks keep the event running right, despite its admittedly somewhat volatile racing machinery... Today's blog we sing the praises of the "unsung heroes" who go beyond the call of duty to make sure our racers are competing in the safest possible environment... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... SAFETY & RESCUE WORKERS, TRACK PREP & MAINTENANCE CREW-- THE UNSUNG HEROES OF DRAG RACING...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

Dastardly doorslammers occasionally suffer with bouts of volatility...

Fortunately safety & rescue workers, and trusty track prep/maintenance crews keep our racers as safe as humanly possible...

One thing that really stands out in my mind, after doing so many on-camera interviews with SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN racers this past weekend, is the way they were all so gracious and well mannered... Considering the somewhat "volatile" cars that these heroes are forced to manhandle on the drag strip, they sure know the meaning of politeness and good sportsmanship once they step out of their cars and into the public eye... I discuss this matter of politeness and my sincere appreciation of good sportsmanship in today's blog... Our outlaw doorslammer racers set a good example for our youngins, as well as for some of the folks from other drag racing genres... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN = GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP & POLITENESS PERSONIFIED...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

As many of you know, on occasion, I do manage to sink my teeth into the more "sensitive" and "controversial" issues of the day, because I know my readers are intelligent and genuinely enjoy the mental stimulation... That's where I wonder with today's blog... Inspired by my recent Sunday morning drive to the drags... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO SHAKEDOWN...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

I put on my thinking cap for today's blog...

... as I discuss what happened to me during my drive to SHAKEDOWN...

It's finally Friday... That means it's Feedback Friday on my blog... Today I address the emails and the folks I encountered face to face at SHAKEDOWN, who've questioned why I've been noticeably absent from some of the drag races I'm usually known for covering... I attempt to explain how BIG STICK is keeping me mighty busy, and away from the strip... I also blog about your reactions to my praising the folks who work rescue and track prep duty at the drags... And some of you definitely DON'T agree with my opinion on the current state of "independent" drag racing in America... "The Doc" (Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary)...

Today's blog... FEEDBACK FRIDAY-- SPECIAL "SHAKEDOWN AT E-TOWN" EDITION...
http://www.dragracingunderground.com/~d ... &Itemid=27

I react to those who have issues with me spending lots of my time recording & mixing with BIG STICK...

... and not quite enough time this particular racing season with them at the drag strip...