Never in my wildest dreams would I have dreamt this. I’m sure everyone knows I’m a big drag race fan. I’m sure all of you know I lost my racing buddy Frog a couple of years ago. I also know you enjoyed my blog about Frog and showing him riding the “Strip Tease.” There is also a lot of photos of him in the Slide Show on the side of the blog. This blog is about one of those photos.To say I still miss my friend and racing buddy a lot would be putting it mildly. But if I miss him too much I either watch that video again or a just walk over and stare at this photo hanging on the wall in the shop.
So it should be no surprise I go to NHRA.com and read about drag racing. One of the things I enjoy the most about the site is Phil Burgess’s blog called “the Dragster Insider.” He writes about anything and all things drag racing. From digging up old photos out of the vast NHRA library and telling their story, to inviting photographers to share their favorite five photos of all time. In fact it was while reading and enjoying one of these favorite five that I wrote Phil and ask him “hey why don’t ask fans for their favorite five photos?” Since Phil and I are so tight (read not!) I just knew he knew a great idea when he heard it. So needless to say I never heard back from Phil on my idea.
Imagine my surprise when I read his blog awhile back where he did ask readers to send in one of their favorite fan photos. Since I follow instructions so well I sent him two of my favorites. But to be honest I sent him the one of John Force not only because it is one of my favorites but because I know John is one of Phil’s heroes. I also sent him a photo of Frog when we won the only race we won together. Frog had won many races in the past but not when I was part of his team. We have just that one wonderful memory together.
Out of the clear blue sky Monday Phil posted his blog about these fan favorite photos. There now, in the hallowed hall of NHRA.com, is my friend Frog for all the world to see and enjoy. To say I’m proud of my friend Frog, well no words can say how proud I am. But to have Phil pick not one but both of my photos and post them on his blog truly leaves me speechless. I want to say thank you to Phil for choosing to enshrine my friend Frog in the history of NHRA Drag Racing. I know Frog would be proud to be honored in such a way. I’m humbled, thank you Mr. Burgess.
Enjoy the slide show.
fasthair
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9 comments:
I'm not one for sitting around and watching NASCAR. I don't get the driving around in circles thing, but the shear raw power of drag racing, all kinds has enthralled me since the very first time I saw it.
I love drag racing. I don't get NASCAR, either.
I can also remember driving the 1/4 mile in Epping, NH years ago in a sweet IROC-Z. :)
Just in case you were wondering: 14.120 1/4 ET
Mr. M: I agree completely. I don't care what kind of car or bike is drag racing. Just the noise and raw speed and power keeps me entertained for hours on end. If I could figure out how to make a living doing it I would be signed up in a minute. I still have a dream of driving a Top Fuel Dragster.
Ms. Ann: Was that more fun then just about anything you have ever done or what? Dumping the clutch and burning rubber has got to be the greatest feeling in the world. I bet to this day you want to do it again. Once you are hooked there is no getting over it.
fasthair
It begins with the desire to honor a friend, and if the world is watching, will follow suit.
Fantastic post. It should be read often.
Great way to honor a brother.
As for Ann.....
I built a 440 with a cheetah manual auto.
20 mins idle time and never driven.
fresh as a motor can get.
Just having had neck surgery...I asked my dear sweet wife...Take it for a spin.
30 mins later she comes back
"why does the shift light come at 7500?'
I hadn't set the light yet.
She was turning a hellaciously built Fresh big block up to over seven friggin grand....on a city street!
I sold the damn thing to a guy in Holland.
I don't know what it is about the picture at the top of this but it's fantastic. Is it the fact your wearing tuxedos and everyone else behind is not or the fact that one of you is hollering something and the other is like a deer caught in the headlights. It's a classic black and white photo that would look great on any wall.
The best a man can hope for in this life is to be honored by friends and family. You have honored the man.
I'm having the "Father of the Bride" poster done up in a couple of days.
"Keep the shiny side up...unless your trying to show off your brazilian wax, then nevermind"
Mr. Rick: I don't know how you do it, but you turn a simple paragraph into amazing truths. Thank you.
Big D: Yah that Ann is something else! How does an old dude like you keep up? What Mopar did you have this hellacious engine in? Six grand's enough to ventilate a mortal block, forget about seven plus. Awesome build bro.
Mr. Wooley: If you go back in my archives to one of my first posts called "Are You Talking To Me?" you can find out about my header photo. It's been a source of great enjoyment over the years. Nice to see you stop by, thanks for the comment.
Mr. FLHX: When it all boils down to the end that is all we have, friends and family. If we can make them happy then we have done a good job and no one can take that away.
Got to tell you a funny story about Frog an keepin' the sunny side up. At one race I head off to go get Frog and tow him back. As I get closer I see something just doesn't look right. Getting closer I see the Strip Tease is laying on it's side in full turtle mode. Once I get there I see Frog is covered in mud from head to toe. I ask him if he is ok to which he responds in his raspy gravel voice as he limps around "yah I'm ok." When I asked him what happen he points and says chuckling "see that little hole? I couldn't reach the ground." I about fell over laughing so hard. When I get him back to the pits The Big Swag was there filming the races and wants to interview Frog. So there Frog stood as I'm spraying him off with a garden hose to get the mud off of him.
Some day I would like to find that video. Some friends have seen it on pay-per-view and said it was real good. Maybe I need to write the Big Swag and see if he can help me out.
Thanks for bringing this wonderful memory back to me.
fasthair
What a great way to honor your friend. It's really sad that he's no longer with us. I'm also a big fan of that header photo and I'm going to make a point of going back to read your early post explaining about it.
Regarding Big D, Ann and 7 Grand, I'm LMFAO!!!
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