hello john. i would personaly like to thank you for coming over at the race at maple grove to welcome me back. you presented yourself as a friend not just a reporter and took time off camera to talk about racing. thanks.

Welcome, John! It's about time you finally got around to posting. I was the one that started that thread a while back when you first joined the ESPN 2 crew. You're doing a great job and I hope you're around for next season and a few more.

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"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

Buell's and Hardley's suck!

Wow. All good stuff. I am going to suggest to our producer that maybe next year we should try to follow a team on the western swing. i think that would really show what the teams, in particular the transport drivers, go through.

I have worked the US nationals two or three times for ESPN and it was a great experience each time. I can't wait to get into town Thursday night.

Whit Bazemore: the first time i ever met wit was a while back. he was laid up in the hospital in winston-salem, nc after a motorcycle accident. a great guy and someone who will speak his mind, which i have always enjoyed.

Bruce: it was good to meet you. I'm sorry you had to leave Reading before you got to run against "the king." Hopefully our paths will cross again soon. Yours is a great story to tell and I appreciate you making me feel comfortable in answering my "dumb" questions.

as far as the nhra gig for me, it's something that i have been pushing for the last several years. thankfully the nhra added the countdown which opened up the opportunity to add a third pit reporter. i know a lot of you don't like the countdown but for personal reasons, i'm all for it!

i understand you wanting coverage for the smaller teams, that's why i chose to report on jim head while we were at brainerd. when he told me that he was spending about a fifth of what the other teams in the top 8 were spending i thought that was info well worth passing on. plus the fact that he made the countdown with three full-time employees is a great story.

one other note before i head to bed. thanks to all the racing fans who listen to my show on sirius satellite radio. it's on the nascar channel, but as we have found out since seattle there is a lot of cross over. at least in our listeners and it has enabled me to slip in some drag racing talk during the nascar shows! there were a lot of people listening last week who not only were interested in the rain delayed nascar race at michigan, but who also wanted to know what was going on in reading.

thanks again for the support, i'll see you at indy this weekend.
john

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www.mckinneycorp.com

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"The Doctor"
www.wannaberacing.com

Hi John - Welcome!
Good to see you on TV again...What I would like to see are stories on the evolution of drag racing so new fans can learn about the "oldtimers" and how the cars and safety have evolved.
In depth interviews on drivers and crews, what they do at the track, other than stand at the ropes and sign things (they have to feel like animals at the zoo) their off track involvements (do they do charity work, have unusual hobbies) What about family time - they aren't making the $$$ that other motorsports drivers do so can they afford to bring their family on the road with them...human interest items. Safety Safari stuff...
I've rambled enough, but thanks again for stopping by!

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Still missing you Eric! Mint Chocolate Chip was my flavor choice today. It made me smile. In fact, every time I eat ice cream, I instantly think of you...my waistline is cursing you

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Welcome John ... I miss RPM 2Nite, it was always good stuff.

I like what you and Reiff do in the pits, I am fairly certain that you guys "get" that there are stories beyond the Force and DSR trailers, but not at the expense of getting Force and DSR their deserved airtime as the leaders of the sport. Keep on keeping on ...

If you get the chance this weekend, drop by a 'Mater meeting and say hi. There are several throughout the weekend and if all else fails, Reinhart can point you in our direction ....

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I am suspicious of everyone's agenda, especially my own.

How about how many cans of spray brake cleaner a team goes thru over a weekend? Or what does a full packed trailer look like loaded? (How about a time lapse thing from when a truck pulls in till everything is out+ set up?) A ride along in the tow vehicle from after a run till it pulls back to the pits would be cool too.

Welcome John! I'd really like to see more hardcore info on what the tuners do. The mysterious "Slide Valve", what adjustments they can make with the laptop plugged into the car in the staging lanes, etc.
Probably too much information for the casual fan on the broadcasts, but you asked -
I'm glad we have a gearhead on board!

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"The Counterfeiter"

Keep up the good work John!!

Welcome John!! Longtime fan of RPM2night when it was on,but glad you're at the drag races now.I'd like to see some pit coverage of the sportsman classes,and since Indy is the next stop,the SS/AH Hemi shootout would be a ideal subject.Maybe a comparison of a street car against a super stock or stock eliminator car,side by side to show the modifications..using a late model Mustang/Camaro/Dakota truck??

John,

Welcome to the Mater. I've enjoyed all of your spots on the broadcasts...I especially enjoy the crew chief interviews, and the radio interviews with drivers before, during and after runs. I would love to see more of that. (Although I don't know how much control you have over that...)

Great job and thanks for asking us what we'd like to have. That is very much appreciated.

Awesome to have you here, John.

Since you are involved with NASCAR & NHRA..you have a sweet chance to roll in from the mechanical/gearhead side.

Like the entire HP rating of a NASCAR engine is = to ONE cylinder of a T/F engine. I realize drivers play a bigger role and all going 500 miles..but the power comparison is a good start.

Thanks for chiming in..I liked your stuff before you logged in..and I like it even more now.

Thanks for caring!!

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--Medicated for your safety!!--

Hi John, Glad you found your way over here! I'd love for you to ask some in- depth questions of the pro and sportsmen drivers, concerning their personal sacrifices that they made to get to the point where they are now. I know that a lot of folks have gone thru relationships, bank accounts, and business's to stay in this game. I think it would be interesting to know how much, so many have "invested", and would they do it again for that "perfect run", most rewarding win, etc. (2) How long do they intend to keep at it?
Thanks for asking, al cacioppo
BTW, your doing a great job!