FEEDBACK ARTICLE – REYES ON TOUR: JUNE 2009

The
greatest photos ever by one of the best. Back when you left to go on
tour and were gone all spring, summer, and fall racing 3 days a week.
What happened? Its a drag racing version of Peter Pan where everyone
grew up except Greek, he's still at it doing it his way. - Michael Brotherton
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: CHICAGO - ONCE A FUNNY CAR HEAVEN!  

I
read your excellent article pertaining to drag racing in the
"Chicagoland" area. I was especially drawn to the portion that outlined
Ron Pelligrini's involvement in the sport as I knew Ron through a now
defunct speed shop (Speed Craft) owned by Pete Gizzo and Gil Turner. 
Ron was always in their establishment helping out. Because I was there
almost as much as Ron, I was able to meet some of the most interesting
people in the sport. Ivo, Prudhomme (when he was just a helper for Ivo
at the time). I am now retired and live in Florida. 
We have many car shows down here and there is some fellow down here who
has Ron's original, in the sport, "funny car" on display at these
events.  He even starts it up at these events, and it really gets the
attention of everybody. I could go on and on about the good times we
had going to the various strips with Ron and the Speed Craft crowd. - Frank Pisano

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – RON CAPPS: THINGS I MISS

Being
a Ron Capps fan, I found that article very interesting.  A nice change
from the usual 'interviews'. I would have liked to have seen the things
he misses!  My first intro to Drag Racing was in England when I met
Peter, now my husband of 35 yrs.  We used to go to the local track
(Santa Pod Raceway, still running), and sleep in the back of
a 1957 Chevy wagon.  We watched the first side by side six-second Top
Fuel run (Clive Skilton vs Dennis Priddle) standing on the roof of the
car. The vibration and noise was incredible.  Love the nostalgic stuff,
especially those 'altereds'.

Have now lived in Arizona for 16 years - best move we made.  Our one
'must go' each year is the California Hot Rod Reunion at Bakersfield
(we are members of the 1320, so it is also a great get-together for the
group).   Have seen Ron there a couple of times driving his nostalgic
funny car - always a pleasure to see and talk to him. - Yvonne Broadribb

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – NASCAR LEGENDS AND NITRO, A CHEST POUNDING EXPERIENCE

I,
too, love to take people to their first NHRA national event.  The sheer
excitement, mind blowing aural experiences and the qualifying drama
always makes Fridays at Sears Pt. Raceway (sorry Infineon now) one of
my favorite events.

I really enjoyed the writing in this story.  Not being a huge NASCAR
fan, I know of the Wood Bros., but not much about them other than being
Ford guys.  It was great hearing about their experiences and how they
were impressed with our sport ... and the fan/racer friendliness &
relationships that are possible in the pits.

Tasca Jr. is doing the NHRA a huge favor by bringing some of these
potential "crossover" opportunities to the table.  Let's hope that we
can continue on a pathway for growth in drag racing. - Paul Langlie
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: NITRO SPEC TESTING: WHAT DOES THE NHRA HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

Well,
it’s been a year. Fuel cars are "lack luster" and not so many. Fans
don't seem to be going to the tracks looking at the crowds in the
stands on TV. The cars are no longer the "kings of the sport". John
Force can only do so much to make a show. Short fields, short racing,
short excitement and short on fans.

Local bracket racing seems to be doing fine if not better these days.
Nostalgia is in and I wish we had some close enough to go see. Will we
ever see 1/4 mile racing again for the fuel cars? I've gone and seen
the short run racing and, short tracks and short fields leave me short
of money when Dallas rolls around. It leaves me sad. I can see them
slowing the cars down at short tracks but let them run at long tracks.
Oh, wait! Pomona, Indy, NHRA owns the short tracks? Jungle Jim's
rolling in his grave. - Mark Suttle

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: CHICAGO - ONCE A FUNNY CAR HEAVEN!  

Man! You guys have made it hard to get any work done today by linking
to pictures of old Funny Cars in action. I ran at another midwest track
in the 70s Mid-America Dragway in Muncie, IN., and remember seeing many
of these classic floppers. That was real racing. We actually got to
cruise  the local hotels and watched the racers rebuild their cars in
the parking lots using locals that were willing to help. A friend and
myself helped T/F racer Pat Dakin one night. Again I cant thank you
enough for the great race coverage and pics of the events. See you at
the U.S Nationals - Mike Gates

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – MORRIS JOHNSON JR.: FROM WAR TO DRAG RACING

There are many patriots in this country, however it takes a special one
to serve his country. I applaud all of those willing to risk their
lives for the cause of democracy. Morris, you are a truly remarkable
person. I have known you for all of my life, and never known that you
fought in Vietnam. I know this is because you are a quiet hero that
does not boast to recieve praise for your service. You are truly an
inspiration to all of those who know you and those who do not. I thank
you for your service to this country but also for your impact on my
life.

You have been a great friend of my family and always treated me as if I
was one of your own children. I will never forget the time you put me
in the freezing cold lake and I "walked on water". You bring joy to the
lives of everyone you come in contact with and that makes you not only
a war hero, but a hero everyday
to those around you. Thanks! - Lindsey Edwards

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – MORRIS JOHNSON JR.: FROM WAR TO DRAG RACING

This story about Morris was an excellent tribute to a decorated Veteran and a dedicated drag racer.

We should all be inspired by his valor, sense of duty, and commitment to his country.

Now, for those who don't believe that an underdog can prevail on the
race track, Morris proved them wrong. That day Morris put Bob Glidden
on the trailer first round will go down in history with a small group
of racers and spectators who understand what it took to accomplish
that.  We should all hope to be more like Morris in our own lives.

I want to thank CP for bringing such a great article to print, and
sharing the story of a man who gave all he had, and then some. - Darryl Smith

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – RON CAPPS: THINGS I MISS

I am close to Capps’ age so I miss a lot of those things as well.
Mostly I miss a Bob Glidden vs. Lee Shepherd Pro Stock final at Indy! I
miss the days when the bodies of the cars were so different you could
tell what the brand was! I miss Saturday and Sundays watching American
Sports Cavalcade with McClelland and Evans on TNN! - Michael Walker

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: NITRO SPEC TESTING: WHAT DOES THE NHRA HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

Everybody inside drag racing knows that the easiest and cheapest way to
slow the cars is to limit the fuel volume. Everything else can be
overcome. Leave everything alone and put 60 gpm pumps on the cars. - Jerry Freeman