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Wednesday, April 4
Full weekend still about racing
By Chuck Etchells
Special to ESPN.com
This week the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series winds its way to Las Vegas for the SummitRacing.com Nationals. Even though it's the first of two visits we'll make to the entertainment capital of the world, it's a date that many of us have had circled since the 2001 schedule came out for several reasons.
|  | | Chuck Etchells is currently ninth in the Funny Car standings. |
First of all, you can't beat the location. Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities you can find, with something happening at every hour of the day. Although naturally our first priority will be on the race, it's still nice to have so many exciting options should you somehow find a spare moment.
Of equal importance is the track. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is clearly one of drag racing's premier facilities, catering to the needs of competitors and fans alike. Since its opening a year ago, Bruton Smith's latest addition to the NHRA has set a new standard by which all other tracks should be measured.
I believe the future of our sport lies in having more facilities of this caliber. To illustrate my point, you need look no further than the many activities that are planned around this single race. For example, on Thursday night, Jim Elper and I will be one of many drivers participating in the NHRA Fanfest that will be held at the Race Rock Supercharged Restaurant on Fremont Street. Last year's event was arguably the most popular of the year, with fans lined up around the corner throughout the evening waiting for a chance to meet their favorite drivers and get an autograph. This year promises to be even bigger, and I know we're looking forward to it.
In addition, PRO, our professional owners' organization, has scheduled three separate meetings starting Thursday. PRO has forged a strong relationship with the NHRA, and together we are working to ensure our sport's continued growth, while preserving its key elements.
Another indicator of Las Vegas' stature will be the number of VIPs scattered throughout the pit area. For all the reasons already stated, there is no better setting to which you could bring key customers, sponsors and potential sponsors.
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But make no mistake, despite the many possible distractions (in Vegas), our focus will never wander from the task at hand. We are here for one purpose, and that is to race. ” |
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— Chuck Etchells |
I know the Etchells Racing hospitality area will be buzzing throughout the weekend. As I mentioned in last week's column, Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe will be with us throughout the weekend as we wrap up the three races with the band on the side of Jim's Camaro. Several people will be accompanying him from the band's management firm, the Left Bank Organization, and for some it will be their first time at a drag race. The same is true for several people from United Car Care.
We'll also be entertaining guests from my engraving company, Union Roto. For example, I'm looking forward to having Rod Chamberland and the folks from the J.M. Lind Company come out. They're one of our customers, and are a large supplier of wall coverings to the Las Vegas casino industry. I enjoy being able to give them a glimpse into the racing world, especially in the environment we have at our disposal this weekend.
This weekend, we'll be staying at The Orleans Hotel & Casino, the off-track Las Vegas headquarters for the Etchells Racing team. They have provided our team with rooms, and we'll be proud to be flying their colors on both cars throughout the event.
But make no mistake, despite the many possible distractions, our focus will never wander from the task at hand. We are here for one purpose, and that is to race. Personally, I'm looking forward to it. Many people believe the thin air makes the Vegas strip a lot like Denver, and we all know what Terry Manzer and the team did there last year. As for the racing surface, with a year's worth of competition, it should be better than ever.
Glamorous backdrop and high hopes aside, the bottom line is that this is a crucial event for us. From our first run Friday, it is imperative that every pass be a solid and productive one. It might sound like a broken record, but the game plan remains the same -- get both cars solidly in the show Friday, fine-tune our race day setup Saturday and go rounds Sunday. I know it sounds simple, but as we've shown it isn't.
So all that remains to be seen is whether we'll hit the jackpot, as my teammate Epler did in a year ago, or go bust. I know I wouldn't bet against us.
Chuck Etchells, driver and owner the Kendall Oil/Matco Tools Camaro Z28 Funny Car, provides a diary to ESPN.com throughout the NHRA season. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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