Atlanta fan appeal.

[JRyan]

Kenny, with all due respect, you live in a completely different world than I. To travel, in our Division, to the events you suggested would encumber 28 WORKING days of my time. Division V is HUGH geographically. It would also cost me 21 days of motels and the costs of 11 races for a total of OVER $9500.

You started UPS at ONLY $15.00 per hour. I don't make that much now. That is why I have two jobs at age 64. I retired before age 50, but through no fault of mine, my retirement disappeared (many know the story). I'd like to race more, but it isn't worth the effort to do it the NHRA way. We have our nearby Stock/Superstock races that pay BETTER than NHRA Points races or National Opens, and damn near as well as the current NHRA National Events.

In 2000, Rick won the Mile-Highs and collected $12,800. Last year, the same pieces on the car would have paid $4500 plus NHRA's purse. Yet you say, "Granted the money you can win hasn't gone up much..." GONE UP MUCH????? It looks like DOWN to me. Plus, winning Class always paid for the trip. So monetarily, it can be tough on some to continue to race. But we do it anyway. Just not like we used to.

Jerry