More Sportsman coverage in National Dragster

[Kevin McKenna]

It is true. The focus of National Dragster will be shifting in the coming weeks and months as we continue to pursue the proper balance of editorial content that appeals to our subscribers, readers, and advertisers. To that end, we plan on adding much more sportsman-related content.

Over the past couple of years, some of you have no doubt noticed that we’ve included at least one sportsman feature in every issue. Some of the prominent class racers that have been featured include Austin Williams, the Teuton family, PB and Brett Candies, Bo Butner, and others. We certainly plan to do more of that going forward.

We are also planning a return of Dan Fletcher's very popular "Route 2015" column for what we hope will be six issues this year. As most of you know, Dan's writing it top notch and he's very honest and forthcoming about his life on tour.

As for race coverage, we began including an extra photo page with each sportsman story last year and that was very well received so we’re going to continue that as well.

From time to time we do surveys and one of the things that seems to always be at or near the top of the list is tech features. To that end, Mike Galimi will continue to contribute with his regular tech columns and we’re also going to roll out a new feature that I believe will be very popular. We’ve taken some of the most successful and best-known NHRA sportsman drivers and asked them to reveal some of their best-kept secrets for success. We’ve asked them to sound off on a wide variety of topics including car prep, record keeping, dial-in selection, and the finer points of finish line driving. It’s our hope that this will provide useful info that can actually help make you improve your program.

If you’ve got comments, suggestions I can always be reached at kmckenna@NHRA.com

Kevin McKenna
Sr. Editor
National Dragster

[Jim Kaekel]

Good to hear.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Kevin McKenna

It is true. The focus of National Dragster will be shifting in the coming weeks and months as we continue to pursue the proper balance of editorial content that appeals to our subscribers, readers, and advertisers. To that end, we plan on adding much more sportsman-related content.

Over the past couple of years, some of you have no doubt noticed that we’ve included at least one sportsman feature in every issue. Some of the prominent class racers that have been featured include Austin Williams, the Teuton family, PB and Brett Candies, Bo Butner, and others. We certainly plan to do more of that going forward.

We are also planning a return of Dan Fletcher's very popular "Route 2015" column for what we hope will be six issues this year. As most of you know, Dan's writing it top notch and he's very honest and forthcoming about his life on tour.

As for race coverage, we began including an extra photo page with each sportsman story last year and that was very well received so we’re going to continue that as well.

From time to time we do surveys and one of the things that seems to always be at or near the top of the list is tech features. To that end, Mike Galimi will continue to contribute with his regular tech columns and we’re also going to roll out a new feature that I believe will be very popular. We’ve taken some of the most successful and best-known NHRA sportsman drivers and asked them to reveal some of their best-kept secrets for success. We’ve asked them to sound off on a wide variety of topics including car prep, record keeping, dial-in selection, and the finer points of finish line driving. It’s our hope that this will provide useful info that can actually help make you improve your program.

If you’ve got comments, suggestions I can always be reached at kmckenna@NHRA.com

Kevin McKenna
Sr. Editor
National Dragster

Kevin for starters bring back Evan Smith. His articles were very interesting and tech wise. Also you said you 'll do more sportsman feature articles. How about articles on
lower classed racers ( i.e. Mike Koski,Billy Nees, and slower cars in comp,and the super categories)? I could go on and on but that's just for starters.

[Kevin McKenna]

Ed,

I'd love to feature more of Evan 's work in ND. He remains one of the best tech writers in the biz (and one of my best friends). However, his current employment makes that very difficult.

When you mention slow Stockers, I assume you mean "Bill" Koski and Billy Nees. I actually wrote an column a while back on racing slow cars. I recall interviewing Mark Yacavone, who remains the only driver to win a national event in a FWD car. That's not to say I wouldn't revisit the topic in the future.

Thanks for the input,

Kevin

[Stock 608]

The divisional coverage has been very poor the past few years. 90% of the time it goes straight to recycle. Will be nice to have more sportsman stuff!!!

[Mike Pearson]

I hardly even look at my Dragsters any more. I usually just chuck them in the garbage can. Sometime I will look if there is an article on a sportsman racer or local guy. Other than that I am not interested in the content as it has been for the last quite a few years. I actually wish we could get a reduction in our membership cost if we opted out of the National Dragster.

[65signet]

Originally Posted by Kevin McKenna

Ed,

I'd love to feature more of Evan 's work in ND. He remains one of the best tech writers in the biz (and one of my best friends). However, his current employment makes that very difficult.

When you mention slow Stockers, I assume you mean "Bill" Koski and Billy Nees. I actually wrote an column a while back on racing slow cars. I recall interviewing Mark Yacavone, who remains the only driver to win a national event in a FWD car. That's not to say I wouldn't revisit the topic in the future.

Thanks for the input,

Kevin

More slow stocker's would be great, not every stocker is A to F

[Jim Caughlin]

If I do read read Natl Dragster, I always start at the back cover and page forward to about the middle and then pitch it. Mainly, I am looking through the ads and the sportsman coverage which are all in the back pages. I really could care less about seeing glossy full page pictures of nostalgia funny cars or one of the Force girls vacation photos and pets. When there are tech articles, they are always just a sales pitch that was offered as a bonus incentive to a company that agreed to buy advertising space. Not really a tech article if it is biased, most of us are technically smart enough to know what a rotten fish smells like. Excuse me if I am skeptical that things will improve.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[racerhead]

Jim, I think what you just said captures why ND is motivated to change to a more sportsman friendly publication. You look to the publication for the ads...what company wouldn't want to work with a magazine that has readers like you? ND has historically been where good information was available about cutting edge parts and technology. Your comments mirror the feedback that ND received and influenced a change.

Time will tell, and for lots of racers, they'll believe it when they see it. Skepticism is warranted. So is optimism.

Bruce Deveau

[Rose Racing]

lol not many pros left in the sport to write about 7 full time pro stockers and a handful of fuel racers thats it...... Anyways this would be a welcomed change!