[Chuck Norton]

I believe that I did see the '68 entering the pits on an open trailer now that you mention it. In retrospect, it seems to me that John could have entered that car as well the Hajek ride since he's entitled to a guaranteed entry as a former World Champion in addition to an entry earned on the basis of 2008 grade points. I know that a good bit of his time has been devoted to the new cars over the past weeks but 20+ years of experience in the original Cobra Jet should have been enough to make driving the two cars a piece of cake.

A few other observations included:
1. A waiting line in the stacking area this morning at 9 AM that might have been 1/3 that of previous years. When I left the track at 2:30 the pits were probably no more than 1/5 full.
2. Top Fuel cars were arriving in Chapparal trailers pulled by dualies and without rolling hospitality suites. (How long will it be before we see a T/F car entering the pits on an open trailer?)
3. An overheard conversation drawing attention to a report filed on January 23, , by National Dragster editor, Phil Burgess, commenting on the effects of an absence of Sportsman cars on traction problems at Phoenix Pro testing. It makes one wonder if anyone besides Phil Burgess noted this phenomenon.
4. A racer marveling at the appearance of a Super Stock car (Jack Bystrom's recently re-done '68 Camaro) on the main page of NHRA.com.
5. Quite a few changes have been made in the ticketing procedure. You will now be required to print your own ticket at home and you will not receive a traditional ticket at all. Also, gone the way of the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon is the traditional windshield parking pass. The paper one that has replaced the old style is guaranteed NOT to become a collector's item.

Who can say what marvels tomorrow will bring?

c