Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 608267)

Bobby, when I was a younger man I also enjoyed Natl. Events. They just don't "do it" for me anymore. Now maybe I just got older and maybe I just got smarter but the time and monies spent and aggravation endured don't make it worth-my-while.
One of the facts about modern-day Natl. Events is that the purse structure hasn't changed in over 20 years while the contingency program has been left to dwindle to nothing. In the 1990s, I could take home 12-15K for winning Stock at a Natls.. Today, in the same car, I couldn't make 5K and my expenses have tripled or quadrupled. For me, it's just not good business and I don't need the ego massage of being "bathed" in the light of John Force. I can go to the Div. Races and hang out with my buds, maybe make a couple of bucks and get my "fix" and I'm good.
There is a column written by a guy named Jok Nickelson on another site (DRO) that I feel might be worth the read. It is his last column as I believe that the site is closing down. It is mainly involving Bracket Racing but the lesson is the same.

Originally Posted by Keith 944 (Post 608272)

When I was younger there was nothing I wanted more than to win a national event! In those days you shared the stage with the pro winners and you also got a medal, reminded me of something you would win in the Olympics and of course there was also the giant Wally. to me this was the highlight of being a national event champion. Back then I had gotten to two or three finals and lost.the year I finally broke through and won a national they had done away with the medal and of course we were no longer sharing the stage with the pros
they have separated us and took away lots of little things while the pros still get that damn medal! I certainly hope they don’t separate us anymore winning a national event should be something to be proud of!
When IHRA did this very thing a national event was more or less which day you won. Saturday could be the national and Sunday be the divisional. Wasn’t a whole Lotta glory winning the right day...

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone (Post 608277)

Don't forget the nice jacket they would give you. Maybe they give you a T-shirt now?
Probably has John Force on the back.