FEEDBACK ARTICLE - GARY DENSHAM "HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?"

I am writing this to reply to Gary Densham's editorial.  He has it the nail on the head, so to speak.  I was in Memphis this past weekend and could not get over the looks on some of the drivers faces when they were signing autographs for the fans (the reason they get to do what they do).  It was as if it was a burden to sign for the fans, but I understand they are under immense timetables to get everything done.  But I also think thay have forgotten what they started driving for, which is exactly what Gary is speaking of here.  I get down-hearted after I leave a national event like Memphis.  Only because I know that is my "dream" career.  I was very close to leaving all my belongings one time and start monkeying for a team, with the intention of one day driving (big-dreamer), but due to being a newlywed and plans for a family, I passed. Now when I go to an event and see these guys and the looks on their faces, I want to just scream!!!!!  It is like they draw no energy from the fact that they race for a living and go 300+ mph!!!!  I feel I would jump out of the car after warm-up screaming and hollering from just pure adrenaline and just eat up being with the fans and making the experience for them as close to possible similar to what it is for me as a driver.  But, I am just a observer wishing I was in their shoes.  To sum it up, Gary Densham could not have said it any better! - Chad Smith, Brookhaven, MS

 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - GARY DENSHAM "HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?"

I am writing this to reply to Gary Densham's editorial.  He has it the nail on the head, so to speak.  I was in Memphis this past weekend and could not get over the looks on some of the drivers faces when they were signing autographs for the fans (the reason they get to do what they do).  It was as if it was a burden to sign for the fans, but I understand they are under immense timetables to get everything done.  But I also think thay have forgotten what they started driving for, which is exactly what Gary is speaking of here.  I get down-hearted after I leave a national event like Memphis.  Only because I know that is my "dream" career.  I was very close to leaving all my belongings one time and start monkeying for a team, with the intention of one day driving (big-dreamer), but due to being a newlywed and plans for a family, I passed. Now when I go to an event and see these guys and the looks on their faces, I want to just scream!!!!!  It is like they draw no energy from the fact that they race for a living and go 300+ mph!!!!  I feel I would jump out of the car after warm-up screaming and hollering from just pure adrenaline and just eat up being with the fans and making the experience for them as close to possible similar to what it is for me as a driver.  But, I am just a observer wishing I was in their shoes.  To sum it up, Gary Densham could not have said it any better! - Chad Smith, Brookhaven, MS

 

Gary,

You have always been my hero, from the first time you gave me a thumbs up while I was sitting in the staging lanes at Las Vegas in my Front Engine injected small block Ford until now, when I'm the president of All American Fuel Dragsters (AAFD) and driving my own Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster, you have always had my respect. Now you have hit the proverbial nail on the head with your recent sentiments. In Nostalgia racing, more so than in NHRA, we race on our own dime, and like you said, the money is not important until you run out. Sure we would like more, but only to keep racing. If you can find the time I would love for you to come hang out with us and race, next stop, California Hot Rod Reunion Oct 12-14, I'll have a warm hand shake and a cold one waiting for you. - Rick Rogers, Santa Margarita, Ca.

Spoken from the heart of a true diehard drag racer. Gary, you got respect as a true diplomat and spokesman of the low buck,backbone of drag racing kind of guys. You are THE GREATEST! Your fan for life, - Richard Arbiso, Upland, Calif.

 

So many points were brought out in the above interview. I have said for many years when doing what you love to do becomes a job....it's time to quit. If you have to quit than it went too far.   

When sports became business, that was the down fall. It seems to me drag racing is following in NASCAR's foot steps. There was a time when corporate support was a welcome shot in the arm, now they call the shots. Because of all this corporate pressure, you now have no brand loyalties, no driver, crew chief or crew loyalties which sooner or later will trickle down to lack of fan loyalties. 

NHRA has converted to a form of NASCAR's race to the chase. I didn't like it when NASCAR did it and on't like it now that NHRA has adopted that. 

I know it is the PRO TEAMS that get all the ink, but if there were no sportsman racers, there would be zero PRO TEAMS. A point that seems easily overlooked. It costs many sportsman racers a bundle of money to compete, they pay a severe price with rule changes almost on a daily basis but nobody gives them exposure. 

I really like the NOSTALGIA DRAGS idea of late... Make it fun again..... no pressure, no corporate pressure. It would be nice to see some old 2 out of 3 match races like the old days. Single car teams... the good old days... just my humble opinion. - Bill Radin, Charlotte, NC

I agree 100% with Gary. As I traveled with Jerry Caminito in the early 70's (Just 2 of us)and then helped him in the 90's when I could get off and fly around. We had fun in the way back days and in the 90's it was still nice but now there isn't any fun. I myself haven't been to the big NHRA races in years but do all the Nostalgia races I can. (did Goodguys Indy, Columbus and Funny Car Reunion at E-town as of lately) Big sponsors and MONEY has taken away the fun. - Bob Snyder, El Mirage, Az.

 

Nice touch. It’s great to see some people still have values, Great guy. - Nick Neofitou, Bishops Stortford,  England