Nitro fuel change costs NHRA owners
By Greg Zyla

Doug Kalitta launches his Uncle Connie's Top Fuel dragster at a recent NHRA event. (NHRA photo)

Q: Can you please tell me why NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car owners don't like running on 85 percent nitro instead of the old rule, which was 90 percent? Why did the NHRA do this? I think the cars sounded better at 90 percent. -- Paul L., Florida

A: Yes, Paul, the cars did sound better. However, NHRA instituted the 85 percent rule several years ago in an effort to slow down the Top Fuel and Funny Cars. What owners found out, however, is that running 85 percent is more expensive because -- to make a long story short -- they are still running the same numbers and basically taxing equipment more to do so.

I recommend you read the interview at "Drag Racing Online Magazine" with team owner Connie Kalitta, who sat down with noted drag-racing journalist Jeff Burk, and explained in detail why 85 percent doesn't save money. Here's a quick excerpt from Connie Kalitta during the interview:

"I think (the 85 percent nitro rule) is a disaster. It's a rule that is going to continue to (cause us) to blow up parts. Using 90 percent nitro is so much easier on the equipment. I'll give you a good example. My son, Scott, and Dave Grubnic, went down to Australia for Christmas last year and Scott drove Jim Read's Top Fuel car. They made six runs on 90 percent nitro, ran 4.51/332 mph and didn't hurt one part and didn't hurt one tire.

"When you go the 90 percent, you reduce the compression and the flame propagation takes care of itself, you don't need more compression because you've got more power. You're putting more oxygen in the combustion chamber so you can take compression away. We have to increase the compression in an 85 percent motor by about 10 percent to make the power we need. We're right on the edge of blowing the motor up, every lap."

Here's the link to Jeff Burk's interview with Connie: http://www. dragracingonline.com/innerview/ ix_7-kalitta-1.html. Also, Jeff tells me another "nitro percentage" piece with Lee Beard will be put up on DRO by the time you read this.

***

Q: Greg, I've been a big Joe Nemechek fan for many years. What is going on in this sport called NASCAR? You don't see other sports where a star player ends up not playing. I know racing is different from baseball and football, but this isn't right. -- Carolyn K., Pennsylvania

A: Carolyn, you are correct that racing can and will shut out some of its star "players" when the money isn't around. I've always respected Joe Nemechek for what he brings to a racing team. He and his family are truly some of the nicer people in this sport.

The bottom line, however, is sponsorship dollars, and in this instance, specificallythe Ginn Racing-DEI Merger, two drivers are left out to dry (Nemechek and Sterling Marlin) and one isn't sure what to expect (Regan Smith). Had Bobby Ginn not merged with DEI, I doubt his team could have kept going in the state it was, and it looks doubly bad at this point for Joe Nemechek, who had the Ginn No. 13 car in the top 35 in points, and he did so with one less race than most everyone else.

I've said many times in the past, racing can be the most satisfying, yet the cruelest, of all sports. Why? To play football, you need a football. Baseball? Ball, glove and bat. Racing? Lots of money. There's no other way.

Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send an e-mail to gzyla@ptd. net.

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