CLASS RACER FORUM - Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals

You all know what they say about the best thought out plans . They never work out and I can tell you that for sure its true . Who saw last weeks snowstorm coming ? Not me . And yes , we can say it was forecasted and it was but plans were made months ago .and as for the monster storm that will hit the East Coast tonight - no one saw it coming for sure - not this much anyway .Several feet of snow - all up and down the coast .Back to my flight - I was supposed to leave Newarks' Liberty Airport Wednesday at 6:30 AM sharp - but I thought it to be a prudent move ( and a great idea by my wife ) to go early . From late yesterday into this morning I was working with expert travel agent Jackie Fiske and she is the best but the odds were against us as everyone had the same idea - get out early . I 've never been a quitter but I must admit it was time to throw in the towel .A smart man must know when to fold 'em .And this was the time for sure -at 1PM today there was nothing - I mean nothing going West or South .Period . Here's the moment - while speaking with Jackie she gave me a plan -- not perfect but a plan .

Go to Newark - find a supervisor and plead your case-get on lists - beg - whatever - and by the time I got to Newark there was only one - count 'em - one flight going West --the 4:30 flight to Phoenix - after finding a super at U S Airways she checked and it was now 3:30 and out of the 138 seats on the Airbus 320 --- 134 had already checked in .So I was feeling lucky and even though the flight was sold out I signed up for standby and went to the terminal gate anyway .By the time I went thru Security and on to Gate 38 it was 4:10 and the line for boarding was super long .Here it is --- the moment -- after being there only five minutes they called my name -- to say I was stunned is an understatement .Only after receiving a boarding pass did I believe it .As I sit here in seat 26E (yep, its in the middle ) only one thing is left to say --Thanks Jackie ! ! !
There's plenty of hoopla at this event and I can hardly wait .Many folks talk about racing in Florida and other warm places but take it from me - there is no other feeling in the world better than making a pass down Parker Avenue . Period .

Look out California - here I come ....Again .

Finally I must thank Tommy Goldman -- I've called him so many times in the last month he swears he needs more minutes in his cell phone plan .

And to my wife Debbie - you were a real trooper last weekend in the snowstorm while we were trying to hook up with my ride West in Billy Lebers' trailer.Yeah , I know you'll be alone on Valentines Day -- but I'll make it up to you --Scouts Honor ! !

NHRA 2010 starts tomorrow...........Later .