The NHRA Div 5 finals were held in Brainerd, MN two weekends ago. They didn't get through the "race of champions" due to weather, getting through 2 rounds of Sportsman and Pro, and one round in the rest. We were told the pot would be split between those still in it. Bummer they didn't finish it, as I would have had a bye in the 3rd round.

Last Friday I got a call from our home track, telling me the division office had decided to finish the race by tacking it on to a scheduled race in Kearney, NE, this coming Saturday. They are going to re-ladder, and the winner will get a jacket & trophy (and probably a pic in National Dragster). No additional pay-out, or gold card. The Pomona team was decided by the ET class winners on Sunday, not the RoC winners like some divisions do.

We have our own points race at the home track Saturday & Sunday, and I'm currently leading points in one class (after one race with 4 left). I also have an event tied to work Saturday evening (a recognition banquet - would be bad form to miss that).

So, I told them forget it, it isn't worth it for me to go. 375 miles one-way, and a wasted weekend.

Of course, with the distance the other Sportsman racers who are still in it would have to travel, the one who shows up will probably win it...

 

That sucks but if you're after a big win, you travel to do it.

That's no worse than the sportsman classes at an NHRA national event. Rain delays during Sunday eliminations and all they're worried about is getting the pro classes finished. If you have to stick around until Monday, Tuesday or even Wednesday because of more rain delays just to finish the race, you do. Many can't and head for home so they can go back to work. Whittles down the competition but sucks when you know you have a shot at winning and can't stay. Having to drive back a few weeks later or going even farther to a different track is even worse. Not everyone has a budget for that.

 

I got one final plea from the home track (they really want a representative there in each class). I declined again, just not worth it. I think two others are planning on doing it.

 

Forgot to come back and update this.

Nobody from the Sportsman class showed up. In hindsight, I didn't do so well in the fall series, but that day I won 2 out of the 3 classes I ran at the home track (6 rounds each to win). Neither one had a payout, but it was cheaper than driving (or towing) 750 miles.

I suppose you could argue an NHRA jacket & Wally are worth more than two trophies from the home track. Maybe. But, there's something about instilling fear in the hearts of the local racers: In one class, I had red lights in the other lane for the first 3 rounds - I left 1st in 2 of the 3; in the other class, I had one red light win, one bye (based on previous round ET vs. dial-in) and the better light in all the other rounds.