[Phil Veldheer Racing]

First off, I like the IHRA and I like all the people you deal with when you come to an IHRA race. The tech people, the gate people and even the parking people at the Nitro Jam at US 131 this past weekend and for the last several years HAVE BEEN GREAT.

To TRO815-Why I class race when it doesn't pay anything? WOW. I have been a class racer since 1967 (the year I graduated from High School) when I built a 56 Chevy wagon for H/SA to race at INDY. THE LAST thing on my mind going to INDY was what it paid. My 265 -2/4 barrel-hydraulic cam-fenderwell header equipped wagon ran the 1966 winner Jerry Robinson ?? in the first round of class and got spanked. It took every penny I made working two park time jobs all through high school and full time all summer to even build the car. I was happy to be there. Didn't Wenzel win that year? Didn't Big Daddy shave his beard that year? The moral of the story is I didn't have a pot to pee in and didn't have a chance to win class. I've stuck with it and simple things like setting or resetting an IHRA class record is why I stick with it, or winning class. I hope IHRA comes back next year and decides to run STOCK class runoffs again. A simple wall plaque with class winner on it is all I need. Sure it would be nice to get 50.00 from Hedman, Autometer, M/T, Moroso, etc. But those days are HISTORY. Maybe people that are younger (I am 61, but feel 30) have different ideas on class racing. It is expensive and we are getting more scarce every year. All I hope is someone at IHRA decides to bring class eliminations back in 2011.

I can think of other reasons for a smaller crowd although Saturday night is was pretty good. The NASCAR race less than two hours away. Several of the car show people that come to one race a year to watch didn't show at this event as a HUGE custom car show event was 45 minutes north.

I know I am rambling on, but if someone plans on making any money class racing, Unless you are a traveling pro forget about it.

Several years ago a guy bought a used dragster that was raced weekly at US 131. He bought is and was going to PAY for it by winning the $1200.00 he was going to win each week when he won SUPER PRO at US 131 Dragway. I watched him lose in the first round for seven straight weeks. He never showed up again and I've never seen the dragster again.

I entered the 2001 Class Nationals with two race cars and I knew both cars were not going to win class, but I went anyway and man am I glad I did. I would have a lot better chance now, what about it Alex?

Phil