[Robin Lawrence]

So I wanted to wait a moment to see the trend of this post before jumping in. Haha. I have worked with Lonnie from an event perspective to a racer at events where he has been Tech Director. From the NMRA and NMCA to various other smaller produced series. He has also worked for us at Holley at our consumer focused LS, MOPAR and Ford Events. A few of those he was our Drag Race Director.

Lonnie brings a great wealth or experience and knowledge to his position at NHRA. I am going to miss Jeff Conley as he has moved to safety at NHRA.

I have always found Lonnie to be approachable and willing to listen to the issue before making judgement. When he does he explains why he made the call on a rule.

When I first started to race at the NHRA Division level and then later at National events I was disappointed by the attitude from many of the tech staff that I encountered. It was a real departure to the staff at the NMRA and NMCA that I had been racing. The lack of support and the “you should know before you come here” was hard to swallow. I was able to identify those who were willing to answer my dumb questions and it became a lot easier. Still I think that the attitude that was pervasive at that time came from a higher place. Hopefully the changes over the past several years can shift that attitude towards the Sportsman Racers.

I want to be clear, NHRA needs new racers and staff that will understand that their model is changing. I think that many that I deal with understand this. I believe that adding someone like Lonnie Grimm will take relations with the Sportsman Racers on the path that NHRA needs to travel.

My focus in my current position at Holley is the Sportsman Racers. My hope is that we can break some old habits and attract new racers and sponsors.

Robin