Jim, I have a favor to ask of you. Every NHRA commercial for an upcoming race ends with the video of Gary Scelzi's big ka-boom. NHRA used it to replace the video of Ron Capps' big ka-boom that they played for years. Speaking just for myself, I hate seeing these horrific explosions. Moreover, I can't imagine Ron's or Gary's family enjoy seeing them over and over again. Is there any way you could convince the NHRA to find some better footage of the 4-time champ to use? Thanks for listening.

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www.zizzoracing.com

I know it's not what you really want to hear, but to have that kind of footage on a commercial to draw attention to National Events makes marketing sense. I know some people go to events just to see explosions and crashes. Sometimes the risk and anxiety associated with the sport draws people in to events.

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http://www.myspace.com/kb301

It is a little disturbing at times to see that but the NASCAR crowd loves the crashes, for the most part. Real race fans don't like to see the crashes and explosions. I Used to like seeing them until I started working around the cars and had to see all the extra work it created for the already busy crewmen. Would be cool to see some footage of a record setting run and the timing lights showing the speed and time.

That's cool, Paul. I respect everybody's opinion. The ads for the upcoming NASCAR races at Pocono and Watkins Glen don't feature big crashes. If they found a way to promote their sport without that stuff, I was only suggesting that the NHRA consider doing something different. I guess that makes me a wuss in Tony's book.

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I don't mind big kabooms when nobody gets hurt..

It actually shows the massive power involved.

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That's true too. Just hate cozying up to the morbid side. Know what I mean? Just amazing the speed these cars reach. I sit at grocery stores everyday with my Brut showcar and rarely do I talk with anyone who knows how fast these cars go or the horsepower. It would amaze you what people know or don't know....

I hear what you're saying Charles, but whether or not you like seeing explosions or crashes... most people would say that they're fascinating.

As long no one is seriously injured in those situations, then I don't mind. I never want that to happen to anyone, but the times that I've seen major explosions or crashes live, it's been like... WOW!! And you usually remember it.

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity

I might be wrong, but I don't think Jim J. could do much about that anyway?

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity

I guess. In Ron's case, I remember him re-counting the explosion. When the body got blown back into his lap, it pressed against his legs and obstructed his vision. He was on the radio yelling to Todd Okuhara that he thought his legs were gone. I can't imagine that level of stress, let alone reliving it with every commercial. Must be even harder for his family.

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Probably true, Vincent. I just thought that the NHRA might at least listen to Jim even if they didn't change anything. I know they sure won't listen to a lowly fan like myself. Either way, I don't want to become a "Franklin" so I'll let it go.

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I can't speak for anyone except myself, but I think back to a rollover accident I had as a passenger in a pick-up truck when I was 17 or 18. I've often recounted the incident to others --- I look back on it and remember how everything happened in slow motion it seemed and it was like someone put the volume on mute as we tumbled, but it's never bothered me nor my family one bit, especially since no one was badly hurt.

I'd never wish that for anyone, let alone myself again, but as time goes by it's just another of a thousand various moments I've had so far ---one that's remembered a little more vividly.

Granted, I don't have any video of it... kinda wish I did though.


But in all seriousness, I understand what you're saying man... I'm just giving you my perspective.

Maybe one day they won't show it.

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity

You becoming like Franklin (DaVinci) ? That'll never happen dude..., you're sensible.

Besides you have to try, maybe something will come about because of it... you'll never know unless you try.

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity

Difficult question. I don't know the answer.

Is it just plain exciting if no one gets hurt? It is part of drag racing. It is difficult to get anyone's attention on tv without any drama. None of it is staged. It happens and it gets shot... then gets shown. And nothing is ever shown when someone gets hurt.

One mis-conception. The NHRA doesn't really care what I think. I could probably convince them to take Gary's explosion off air... but they would likely just substitute someone else's.

This is a colorful and dangerous sport. We all know what can go wrong. All the drivers prepare for this sort of thing because they all know it will happen at some point. With very few exceptions, the drivers walk away from these typically unhurt because of all the safety measures in place. But there are exceptions.

I guess that's what I was trying to say Jim... if they remove Scelzi's explosion, it'd be replaced with another.

Thanks for the response.

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Nazgul
JFR Infinity