I enjoyed this thread partly because of the way in which the "newer" people here -- and by that I only mean those who have been witnessing drag racing in more recent times, rather than since, say, the Sixties -- are in complete support of the current announcers at the exclusion of all others. It's like being a football fan and failing or being unable to recognize the greatness of those who came before the current crop of greats. Is Ezekiel Elliott "better" than the late Walter Payton? Right now it's a matter of opinion. When his career ends then we can legitimately compare Elliott to Payton. With that said it's grossly unfair to compare Alan Reinhart to Dave McClelland to Steve Evans, Bob Frey or the great Jon Lundberg. Each speaks in a different manner, has different vocal tones and uses different "sayings," but that doesn't make one better than another. It's all in the manner in which we hear it. Styles change and, whether we like it or not, politics also enters into things. Say the "wrong" thing over the PA and your national event career is going to be severely curtailed. Don't believe that? Some years back an incredibly accomplished and polished professional behind the mic was working a pre-season event when a red F/C came to the line billed as a "Buick."
(Darn. Now you know who I'm referring to.) Anyway, the announcer had the audacity to say, "Well, that doesn't look like any Buick I've ever seen." Moments later an NHRA official burst into the announcing deck to say, "We can't have you talking about our World Champion that way." The announcer in question never worked another NHRA race. But pardon me, has ANYONE -- EVER -- seen a Buick that looked like that one?
Jon Asher
Senior Editor
DragRacingEdge.com
CompetitionPlus.com
