I’m hardly a political pundit, but it looks like the coming presidential election is very important. Not only is the way we live our mundane lives on the line, but the future of racing is in the balance.
Of course, I’m talking about the ridiculously high gas prices. Some think that it may skyrocket to seven bucks a gallon by the end of the year.
My own opinion is we must start offshore drilling. When we start supplying our own oil, the prices will go down for sure. Right now, the Republicans are for it and the Democrats are against it. The trouble is with all the flip-flopping politicians do, who knows who to vote for.

The high gas prices not only affect that part of our budget, but everything since practically everything we buy is shipped by truck. All costs are going up. The thieves in the Middle East and the oil companies are holding us hostage.

The high gas prices not only affect that part of our budget, but everything since practically everything we buy is shipped by truck. All costs are going up. The thieves in the Middle East and the oil companies are holding us hostage.
The racing contingent is hurt, too. Weekly short trackers, while using expensive racing gas, don’t use that much of it to have a major setback. The big cost is getting to the track. Haulers, often running on diesel — the highest priced fuel — get poor mileage. Race fans who live a distance from their favorite track may have to cut back.
If smaller crowds don’t hurt promoters enough, it also means that on threatening nights, people not wanting to risk wasting money on a rainout will stay home.
I read that GM may dump or sell off either or both Buick and Pontiac lines. Meanwhile, Ford may do likewise to its Mercury line. We already lost stalwarts Plymouth and Oldsmobile.
The recent Pennsylvania Speedweek had three rainouts and three shows run under threatening skies. This business is going through enough tough times. Let’s hope some new faces running this country can make life more feasible again.
n My sincere thanks to National Sprint Car Hall of Fame curator Tom Schmeh for inviting me to partake in the Knoxville Nationals. It really hurts that I can’t make it. I think this is one event that won’t be hampered by the gas prices because sprint-car fans are so religious about this great event. This event is slated Aug. 6-9.
n I think Tony Stewart is tired of answering to others and is interested in calling his own shots. I also feel he wants free reign to run in the Indy 500. He wants to win it badly.
n I find Kyle Petty to be a breath of fresh air in the TV booth. His line about someone being as sideways as “teacups in Disneyland” was a classic. There was nothing classical about Bill Weber laughing during the last-lap crash at Daytona.
n I’m only a casual follower of drag racing, but I agree with Chris Economaki; the quarter-mile distance has been their tradition for almost 60 years. There are other ways to make the sport safer.
n The IRL at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l unfortunately reminded me of the old CART days. The only pass for the lead came on a restart.
n The International Cricket Commission will spend $300 million to further its sport in the U.S. It’s too bad racing doesn’t have such a benefactor. Well, there is NASCAR, which has billions of dollars in its coffers, but won’t help anybody.
n Trying to fit this column in a template at 25 Emerson Place Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580. E-mail to Racewri771@AOL.com.