[72mike]

Danny,

I can relate. I drag raced for the past 25 years. I started with a relatively stock '72 Monte Carlo. In went a 454 and a Turbo 400. Later, I ended up tubbing it, putting in a 9" rear w/ ladder bars, and a 12 point cage. Then came the fiberglass bumpers, hood, fenders, and trunk lid...then the delay box, trans brake, air shifter, alcohol carb, etc. I raced the Monte for 18 years. Then I had my mid-life crisis and purchased the ex-Summit Racing Chevy S-10 Pro Stock Truck from John Lingenfelter. In went a 555 big block, Powerglide tranny, delay box, etc. Raced it for 7 years. Along the way, of course, I graduated from an open trailer to a 32' enclosed trailer with golf cart. Then my daughter started racing a Jr. Dragster. In the end, it just got to be too much. Racing took up the entire weekend. I'm now in my mid-50's, and on a 90+ degree Saturday afternoon, racing two cars can be a real workout. I enjoyed the heck out of racing, but it was becoming less fun and I just decided to sell it all and move on. I'll also have to say that the death of Eric Medlen weighed into my decision a little. My family depends upon me to pay the bills, and one wrong move at the track could change everything. A word of advice - never use anything but the best safety equipment. Don't get me wrong, I know that you have a better chance of getting hurt on an Interstate highway than you do at the drag strip, but after doing it for 25 years, why tempt fate? You can't get hot rods out of your blood, though. I ended up trading my 555 big block, a bunch of accumulated race parts, and a few $ for my '72 Chevelle. I'm really looking forward to getting it finished (it's at the paint shop now) and being able to take my wife and daughter out for a pizza in it.

The bottom line is that you should do it while you enjoy doing it, but move on when it's not fun anymore.

Take care,
Mike