The Junior Rules?

I can’t believe NASCAR let Dale Earnhardt, Jr. pass the pace car (at Michigan) and didn’t put him at the back of the line.

That’s what I hate about NASCAR — they change the rules for certain drivers. Also, the “lucky dog” stinks. All races should be ended by racing the last three laps, period.

I’ll stick to sprint cars on dirt. Thank God there is no announcer, like Michael Waltrip or Brad Daugherty, who knows nothing.

Richard D. Burch

Mansfield, Ill.

Back To Dave’s Point

In the June 11 edition of Public Forum, Mr. Krauss, Jr. used nearly an entire column to simply restate the facts of a racing incident and criticize Dave Argabright in regards to his editorial titled, “Confrontation With Danica.”

I agree that Ryan Briscoe was to blame and Danica had every right to be angry and want to confront Briscoe. Although in your lengthy letter you failed to address the actual topic and offer a valid option,  which a male driver can choose — and not lose face — when put into a “Confrontation with Danica.”

Chad Mercer

Fresno, Calif.

On Kalitta Tragedy

In the wake of Scott Kalitta’s tragic death, I wonder if some of the more innovative minds in the sport like Jim Head or John Medlin could find a way to automatically deploy the chutes at the end of the run or in the event of engine failure.

In recent years, as a fan and spectator, I’ve witnessed many nitro drivers get into trouble because they were late getting their chutes out. A dramatic recent example was Del Worsham at Pomona. He had a blower explosion that buckled the body, and he couldn’t reach the chute lever and, as a result, he went into the sand pit at high speed.

Considering the data-gathering devices and computers they have on these cars, maybe they could get those chutes to come out in an emergency without having to depend on the driver. Just think about the conditions these drivers face if there is trouble at the end of their runs. They are traveling at about 330 miles per hour; they are on fire; they can’t see or breathe; oil is getting on their tires, and they are expected to hit chute levers, cut the fuel pump, steer the car, hit the fire bottles and pull the brake lever, all at the same time.

If they could, for instance, automatically deploy the chute if the engine loses intake manifold pressure or oil pressure, it would be one less thing for the driver to do. Maybe they could even have a system that uses a transponder that deploys the chute when they pass over a wire in the track at the end of the strip.

I don’t know what the answer is. I’m just a fan, and I’m saddened a champion and true racer was taken from his family and us way too early. Even if there was an automatic chute system, it might not have made a difference in Scott Kalitta’s fate. They say several things have to go wrong in most major accidents. Whatever happened, I’m sure the NHRA will make changes. They are the most progressive and safety-conscious sanctioning body in auto racing.

Paul Luiz

Nipomo, Calif.

Humpy Wronged

Humpy Wheeler got the shaft. Wait until Bruton’s 34-year-old son gets in hot water. Who’s he going to call?

Mike Rudderham

Griffin, Ga.

Defending Danica, Part II

It seems that week after week I have to write in to give some moron a reality check for bashing Danica Patrick. I just don’t get why people continue to focus on anything they can twist around to bash the lady. I pulled punches with the last moron who wrote in about her sunglasses, but now I’m not going to be so nice. You idiots asked for it.

To moron No. 1: What is this crack about how Danica needs to be spanked? May I ask how long you’ve been required to register with your state? Real mature. I bet your parents are so proud.

As for the rest, I want to address you all as a whole.

It is sad that in this day and age there are people who still feel that women belong in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. That just tells me that maybe you should stop watching the re-runs of “Leave It To Beaver” and see that women do have jobs, play sports and oh, by the way, they can vote, too.

For the rest of you who fail to see the talent this young woman has, let me see you drive a car at 220 miles per hour for several hundred miles. You have no clue what racers must endure in order to maintain their cars — a simple slip can be a disaster. But, then again, your mom’s station wagon only does 55.

Lastly, if Danica wants to go to the pit of a driver who dumped her and take him or her to task for their stupidity, then that shows me she is, at the end of the day, “one of the boys” out on the track. Danica is a true competitor and has a fire in her that keeps me watching. Danica is a future IRL champion, mark my words. It is only a matter of time.

Jonathan Bell

Mauston, Wis.

More Offys Running

The Antique Auto Racing Ass’n has 16 Offy midgets in the club. Four of the midgets are restored for show, while the rest of the Offys run in our regular exhibition races.

We run on half-mile fairground tracks throughout Ohio. Speedsters, midgets, three-quarter midgets and big cars all run in individual heat races. There are usually five-to-eight Offys that show up at each race. If only we could get 10 or 12 Offys to make the same show — oh, what sweet music.

Ken “Red” Root

Fremont, Ohio

New Gag Order

Shut up and drive? That’s NASCAR’s solution to the big problem that it caused with its “Crap of Today” car? That’s easy for NASCAR officials to say. They don’t have to drive that pig around the track.

I think it would be great if all the drivers parked those things and refused to drive them. The problem with NASCAR is ego. They will never admit they are wrong. They are not car designers. That is one ugly car. It has impossible handling and is as aerodynamic as a brick. I’m sure Michael Waltrip likes it because it has lots of headroom, but how many drivers are 6-foot-8?

Grading the CoT, I’d give it an “F.” The only thing good is that maybe it is safer. Hey, they could have put foam in the old car.

There is no passing, except in the pits. It sure makes for a boring race.

NASCAR, when are you going to wake up and listen to what the drivers and fans are saying?

I thought NASCAR said the drivers would be allowed to express themselves, driving and otherwise, this year. That seems to be out the window with this gag order. How dare they criticize NASCAR’s boondoggle. The only one who expresses himself — at the expense of others — is that maniac, Kyle Busch.

Tim Helton (sorry, Uncle Mike)

Charlotte, N.C.

Wake Up, NASCAR

I am a NASCAR fan of many years. How many millions of dollars did Toyota spend to buy its way into Cup and Truck races? With the CoT, maybe we’ll have Honda, Kia and other foreign cars.

Thank goodness we don’t have to hear D.W.’s mouth run.

There are reports of a 14-percent fan loss in 2006 and 10 percent in 2007. We can figure one percent for each Toyota and one percent for the silly fines ($100,000 for the wrong bolt, nut or whatever).

This is not real racing. NASCAR, please wake up and save the sport.

Keith H. Willford

Findlay, Ohio

Go Green

As far as auto racing is concerned, there is nothing more ridiculous than after several hours of racing, a race ends under yellow.

At least NASCAR tries to have a green-flag finish. The IRL, which had two-straight races end under yellow, will probably say it would be too dangerous to add a last few laps of green. Golly, gee whiz, here I always thought danger and excitement were the main parts of racing.

L. Windenborn

St. Louis, Mo.