11/17/08

I guess when there’s a firestorm of relentless flames slowly consuming much of the town in which your home and your business is located, not winning the POWERade championship doesn’t quite have the kind of disastrous connotation it might have otherwise.

I’m sure those of you who don’t live in Southern California are still well aware of the tremendous loss of property which has been the result of the widespread wildfires still burning throughout Orange County—and more specifically, Yorba Linda. As I’m writing this from my home on Cape Cod, I just spoke very briefly with John on his cell phone a few moments ago and he told me he was in the middle of speaking with his family and crew about the current status of the fire. I know everyone who roots for John and appreciates everything he does for others who are in need of help will be keeping him, his family, his team, and all their possessions in their prayers.

When you step back and take a look at the season which just ended, it’s nothing short of extraordinary just how much happened since racing began in Pomona last February. I can think of many eventful seasons in the NHRA since I began following the sport as a kid some 50 years ago, but try as I might, I can’t recall a season of NHRA drag racing which was as downright hectic, dramatic, and borderline psychotic as this one. If you can remember one that was more chaotic and cataclysmic as 2008, I’m listening.

Sure you can point to the points races and the remarkable championships of Cruz Pedregon, who slipped around Tim Wilkerson in the final two races of the year, and Ed Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle who failed to win a single national event this year. But what made this season so undeniably crazed was the laundry list of sometimes surprising, frequently shocking, and totally unexpected storylines which unfolded at regular intervals all season.

Wilkerson’s tenacious hold on the points lead since June with a single-car team, later announcing he’d be joining Bob Tasca III next year with both racers campaigning Ford Mustangs. Del Worsham ending his 18-year family-owned team, which had been informed their longtime sponsor CSK was not coming back in ’09, followed by Del’s announcement that he accepted the offer to drive for Alan Johnson next year. Jerry Toliver moving over to Jim Dunn’s team in 2009. Don Prudhomme signing Spencer Massey to drive a Top Fuel Dragster for him in 2010—a full year before he’ll officially take the wheel. John and Ashley’s dramatic final round matchup in Atlanta which gave her the first national event win by a woman in NHRA F/C history.

Do you remember the NHRA being sold—and then NOT sold to begin the year? Of course, John’s incredible recovery from his accident in Dallas in 2007 and his amazing return to his racecar was a major story. Antron Brown’s outstanding performances in Top Fuel after switching from Pro Stock Motorcycle. The devastating loss of Doug Herbert’s two sons in a traffic accident.
How about the nitro shortage? Evan Knoll’s unceremonious departure from NHRA drag racing? Need I mention the tragic loss of Scott Kalitta and the subsequent rules changes, including the reduction of the track length for nitro cars to 1000-feet? Tim and Kim Richards announcing their retirement, along with Gary Scelzi. Tony Schumacher’s record-smashing season and the speculation involving the shape and scope of Schumacher Racing in ’09. Full Throttle becoming the new series sponsor. Questions of how the current crisis in Detroit will affect the participation of the Big Three particularly in Pro Stock next year. The soaring success of Bruton Smith’s debut national event at his new track in Charlotte. Frank Hawley’s remarkable return to the driver’s seat. The sadness of the loss of the NHRA’s Dan Brickey, Pro Mod/s Steve Engel, and drag racing legends Lew Arrington and “Lil” John Buttera.

I could go on and on but time and space won’t allow it. Needless to say, I think I made my point about 2008 being an unprecedented year in the world of NHRA drag racing. But now, instead of looking back, it’s time to look ahead because I’ve learned from experience that the off-season is unbelievably short. Before we can catch our breath, the Holidays will have come and gone and pre-season testing will suddenly be on the doorstep. A heartbeat later, we’ll be back in Pomona and the 2009 season will be crackling to life.

Enjoy the next few months and I hope to be back here, In the Groove, when we start drag racing again in February. Have a safe and peaceful Holiday season and a great New Year!