Lets Root Cause the Detriment of Class Racing

[GTX JOHN]

I appreciate the support of all my friends on here.
The issue is that we are all aging out and just can
not contend with someone 1/2 our ages and a head
taller (Not to mention in way better shape even if we do not
want to admit it).

After the last race we attended at April Nationals
in Vegas = In the Superstock staging lanes one of the racers
challenged me to a fight on the spot. He followed me nearly to
the front of the staging lane trying to get me to get out of my Aspen.
Everyone behind me was surprised to see the goings on. It rattled
me so bad that I forgot to turn on the fuel pump and wasted the time
trial.

Following that problem, I was ashamed (I no longer can effective defend myself)
and did not go to any more NHRA races this year until Bakersfield and had
the confrontation in the staging lane in Class Final. It made
it very hard for us to focus and do a good job racing in the final.

I did not elaborate on this earlier in this thread, but my son tells me that the
same folks came to our pit several more times during the race and flipped him off and
tried to instigate a fight while I was resting in the Toter. Apparently, they thought
I was the one that turned them in = But I was not and in fact have never turned in
anyone for a violation no matter how obvious it appeared to be. Actually, I was never
anywhere near his car as I have four of my own to prepare for the race.

I understand the officials position that we need to police our own
battles and they have a race to run. Unfortunately, I have aged out
these last few years and do not have the ability to handle the battles
any longer. Anyone who remembers me from 30 years ago know that
back them = If a man insisted on a fight with me - he could have it. Now
it is not so much being scared the beatings I would get (I have taken
my fair share over the years), but the embarrassment of have
everyone watching me get pummeled in the staging lanes!

Most of my good friends at the track have already passed the last number of
years. They are many of the guys that I so loved so much to visit with there.

So it is probably time to hang up my helmet in the shop and play with the Grandkids.

Sorry for the Rant!

I am truly heartbroken over the turns of event this year that have happened.
Racing is one of the things that keep me going and motivated in these later years.