[Michael Beard]

My dad built our first drag car in 1992, a '74 Duster for bracket racing, mostly in our driveway, and it was painted there, too. After the paint had cured, I collected contingency decals, but was hesitant to put anything on the new paint, due to odds even longer than those faced by those racing at National events. "The only way these would pay anything was if I won the Bracket Finals." We shrugged and put them on anyway. At least it looked more like a race car! In 1994, I won the NHRA Div. 1 Heavy E.T. title, and those contingency decals not only helped fund the following season, but also helped put me through college.

Today, I can't say that I race for a living, but I couldn't make a living without racing. I call it a very rewarding part-time job, and it is an integral part of my graphic design and printing business. Decals make the difference. Although the odds are long to make it to the finals and collect on those decals, over the course of a season, a few finals here and there far outweigh the losses of other events. Without the support of contingency sponsors, racing on a national level would not be financially viable, and I would return to racing locally.