Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

Congratulations to 18 yr. old Dallas Glenn for almost pulling it off with Tom Turner's Dr. Injector Corvette, wheelstanding his way into the 2 out of 3 hotlap competition at Pacific Raceways this past Saturday night. The crowd went wild all day long every time he launched, as it appeared to be a 10.30 - 10.40 group of cars that were picked, even though there were a ton of 9 second cars available. The winner was Dave Wakefield in his 70' Chevelle. The only other stocker I saw there was Gary Johnson's Red Dawg 70' Olds F/SA driven by Russell Stevenson. I didn't see any SS cars in attendance.
It was interesting watching this process,, shooting the show, which by now is a pretty well oiled machine. There were thousands of fans in the stands all day,,,not leaving like they do at national events after T/F, F/C and Pro Stock are over,,,and this is basically just a ton of bracket cars! Go figure,,, please tell me it isn't because of the little bald headed guy! Well,, at least he did'nt dump a bike this time,,LOL.
Danny Durham

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

It was a real interesting spectacle. I would love to see a comparison in attendance to the Seattle NHRA national event. The stands were packed and as Danny said the crowd was loving just regular cars. Especially all the guys putting on the show with across the starting line burn outs.
My friend was in it and never made the cut at least he can say he drives his car that runs 10.80 to the track. We were sitting there for the longest time saying to each other something is really different about this crowd compared to at a national event. And we finally figured out what it was. They were all true car enthusiasts not a bunch of head bangers just there to see the nitro cars. The stands were just as packed when 12 second street cars were running as when the quick 8 were running. And any car that popped its hood in the pits instantly had a crowd around it checking it out.
I would say it was good entertainment value also; $20 to get in and they didn’t charge for parking!
It is absolutely nothing like what we do but the NHRA better be looking over its shoulder for where the public’s entertainment dollar is going.

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

forgot to mention there was a SS car; Peter Willie in his SS/AH Cuda

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

as much as i can't STAND Pinks, All-out is pretty good to watch and has most likely done more for drag racing than NHRA lately..
i like Passtime, too.


and it IS a different crowd, or at least the drunk behind me was....
TV does kinda bring out the mildly interested and the never been exposed to it bunch.
i don't see that as a bad thing....

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

I agree. I got some flack for even bringing up Pinks All Out after running the event at Z-Max in Concord. When you enter the event you know it is for television and have to accept the tv cameras, camera personnel and all of the formalities. The stands were packed and at times the sound was like being in a professional football stadium with over 30,000 screaming, standing, waving and flashing camera flashes. When they made a reference to the crowd during the actual tv show what you hear on tv was nothing like being on that track, being in the pits getting ready for the next round or sitting in the stands. I have already made this statement before and I have gotten some flack for it, but NHRA, IHRA and other drag racing events have got to question what is being done here to draw this number of spectators and cars to these events over and over again. As you said these are not multi-million dollar, professional type cars and racers and spectators did not get up and leave there seats for a group of cars. These are the same cars that can be seen in Stock/Superstock events and the week-end foot-brake and bracket events. Like him or not he is filling 450 car fields, classed cars based on your et, in less than 20 minutes on your computer, filling the manufacturer's mid-way and certainly jamming the stands and the pit area with spectators. The spectators and racers are young and old, you have racers who have been racing "for ever" and you have young men and women, 18, 19, 20 years old, racing in 50's, 60's and 70's model cars, wheels up, running the car flat out, there is no brake lights or nose dropping when you runs these races.

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

Can you imagine if they held a PINKS ALL OUT at POMONA ????
Or Famoso (Bakersfield) ????
OUTRAGEOUS CROWDS !!!!!

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

You're right Bill,,,I forgot about the wheelstanding 4-speed Hemi Cuda,,,ol' fart syndrome strikes again!! My apologies to Peter as that car always puts on a good show. You saw him when he chased down the W/SA Pinto at the National Open at Bremerton earlier this summer, in the combo, I hope.
Danny Durham

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

The biggest draw is the heads up competition between cars that most people can relate to. No throttle stops or spot in the tree and the admission price is reasonable. They make a killing on concessions and souveneirs. Just my thoughts.
Mark

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

I was lucky and got one car in the ALL OUT race at US 131. I tried to get all five race cars in, but no luck. They sold out in 3 minutes, The one in Maryland sold 500 spots in 30 seconds. I went looking to have some fun and meet some new racers and I did. Made new friends from Indiana and Northern Michigan. The place was packed and I laughed out loud as the announcers made a 12.50 et race sound exciting and it was. Several stock and super stockers were there, the same weekend as the NHRA Points meet in Stanton, MI. (how many spectators were there) I ran 10.80's and they picked 10.30's. That's what happens...After seeing the well oiled PINKS ALL OUT in action, I asked several racers, "what would you rather OWN?, the NHRA? the IHRA? or PINKS ALL OUT? The same answer from everyone, PINKS ALL OUT. What a gold mine, the PINKS ALL OUT crew liked US 131 and I've heard they will be back in two years.
As a racer who relies on sponsorship to get the race cars to the track, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY SPECTATORS at US 131 before looking only at SPORTSMAN race cars. The stands were packed and the fences on both sides were 5-7 deep the length of the strip on both sides. I've had "advertisers" of my race cars that have been involved for 5-10 years show up at this race for there FIRST EXPOSURE at LIVE drag racing because they became a fan of the race because they saw it on SPEED TV.. No Top FOOLERS, etc....the SPORTSMAN racers were the SHOW.....not a fill in....and the line up for the PINKS ALL OUT gear was HUGE....I had a camera on myself or my white/gold 69 Camaro around six times, we'll see if the we get any TV action on September 24th on Speed TV or the highlight show later. I had a great time and hope to get a stocker in victory lane at US 131 the next time. PINKS ALL OUT has its faults, but all in all its great for door slammer-sportsman drag racing.

Phil

Re: Stocker almost wins PINKS ALL OUT--Seattle
 

I was involved with PInks at Norwalk last year and it was the most fun you could have for a $50(?) entry. We didn't make the final cut but we still had a blast. I never had so many people inquire about my car before. The crew from Pinks were very accommodating. Norwalk..sold out of seats, it was incredible!!!