"The coach went on to ask, “And what do we do with a big league pitcher who can’t throw the ball over 17- inches? What they don’t do is: they don’t say, “Ah, that’s okay Jimmy. If you can’t hit a 17-inch target, we’ll make it 18 or 19-inches. If you can’t hit that, let us know and we’ll make it even wider still."

https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/too-many-wallys/

John has a valid point. I'm goin to "Rant" a bit here but this is a big problem for me as well.

"The 19 inch wide strike zone" illustration John used actually happened at a Little League Officials Winter Meeting years ago. What should have happened is that Managers and Coaches should work harder to improve the Pitcher's skill level. One of the unintended downsides is that it now puts the batter at a distinct disadvantage. Both individuals go through life using a 19, 20 (or whatever) inch wide strike zone for every decision they make. It diminishes the real value of hard work and honesty.

In an effort to increase car counts at some events offering a Wally is certainly an incentive. I'm an old school racer who believes a Wally should have been earned with exceptional merit, not a $50 entry fee.

Before you ask, no I never did win a Wally, I never did anything exceptional to deserve one. In fifty plus years of racing I never won a Divisional or National event, close but no cigar. My bad, I need to work harder.

Bob

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RPROGAS,

John, what specific Wallys are the participation ones? You state you believe it should be won but you don't say exactly which ones you would cut out.

He may be talking about oddballs like this. I didn't ask for it but I wasn't going to refuse it.Lol

Regan, what did you get it for?

A T/D competitor was given a wally at the STL divisional this year for changing an engine between the first and second event of a doubleheader. Cant blame the team for accepting the award, I mean they worked their asses off, I just don’t know why we’re giving out wally’s for participation efforts.

When referring to a Wally,I like the one that is about 18 inches tall.

The smaller ones are nice too.

Both are usually available on Ebay if you really want one.

quote:

Originally posted by sc3171:
A T/D competitor was given a wally at the STL divisional this year for changing an engine between the first and second event of a doubleheader. Cant blame the team for accepting the award, I mean they worked their asses off, I just don’t know why we’re giving out wally’s for participation efforts.

Why would they do that? That makes no sense at all.

division director clearly was never a racer and is a liberal democrat

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:

quote:

Originally posted by sc3171:
A T/D competitor was given a wally at the STL divisional this year for changing an engine between the first and second event of a doubleheader. Cant blame the team for accepting the award, I mean they worked their asses off, I just don’t know why we’re giving out wally’s for participation efforts.

Why would they do that? That makes no sense at all.

They call it the "Never Rest Performer" award. Absolute nonsense.

Maybe if I’m able to race another 50 years I might win one.

Yes the "Never Rest Performer Award". At the Fall Nationals in 2019 there was an NHRA media guy that kept coming buy my trailer looking at my truck. On my first TT I broke the input shaft on the high gear shift about 600ft out. I was ready to go home because I wasn't about to roll around in that rock pit out there. My friend Ken ended up asking Wes Neely if we could put it in his stacker to pull it. We got it in there sounds easy but it was a chore. Our old friend Tony Brown brought us Steve Colliers transmission jack. We got it out and tore it apart on the ground with the help of JM Harrison (Roger Masseys Crew Chief). I sent Ken to Summit in Arlington Tx and he came back with a drum with a 300m shaft. We had to borrow a compressor to build the clutch pack. We finally got it back together and moving on its own by dark that night. During all that the media guy comes by and says (Oh your a candidate for the Never Rest Performer). I didn't know what the hell he was talking about. The next day I made it through 1st Rd but lost 2nd Rd and put it in the trailer. I was in the 1320 stands watching the races the next day. This guy was looking for me and calling me (my phone was in the trailer).I go back to the trailer and he catches me. He tells me he needs me in the lanes now. We go down there and clean everything up. I figured they were just going to take a picture. They handed me a piece of paper for me to scratch out some sort of story. I was using a Wally box to write on and never gave it any thought. They pulled me out beside the track during Pro Stock qualifying. After that Alan Reinhart read off the story and they gave me that little Wally and took pictures. What do I do throw it back at them. Lol

That was a little long winded but I'll add this here.2019 was my first full season since 2010. I got Best Engineered at the Topeka Double Divisional. Best Appearing at the St Louis Divisional and the Featured Flyer at the Fall Nationals. I went some rounds and had a ton of fun but I was really proud of the Best Engineered as there had to be 700 cars there. I'm not going to put the picture in my sig and beat it to death though.

quote:

Originally posted by TheBlueTruck:
That was a little long winded but I'll add this here.2019 was my first full season since 2010. I got Best Engineered at the Topeka Double Divisional. Best Appearing at the St Louis Divisional and the Featured Flyer at the Fall Nationals. I went some rounds and had a ton of fun but I was really proud of the Best Engineered as there had to be 700 cars there. I'm not going to put the picture in my sig and beat it to death though.

You should. Then bump it every other day. LOL

Giving a Wally for anything other than winning an event is ridiculous! When I was growing up, the once a year National dragster challenge was the only opportunity racers had to win a Wally in my area. I was lucky enough to get 2 of them, and they've been high up on my shelves ever since. I agree with 1320 racer on this one!

I agree with you too Holytown. I thought they might give me a plaque or something. When I was using the Wally box for a desk one of my friends said (open it up there's a Wally in there). I said no it's not mine.

Speaking of Wallys. Someone moved the tire. This is a National, Divisional and the Participation Trophy.

I may be a little old school on the whole NHRA Wally trophy, but when I was young it was such a coveted trophy to win and the only events that you could win them at was either a NHRA National, divisional event and the bracket finals bracket finals for each division. I really hated the day they started giving them out at the national dragster challenge and king of the track races as I looked at them as not real Wally's! Everyone has there own outlook on this and I guess that's what makes it a cool trophy to have. Racing has been in my family for several generations now and from my grandpa, dad, uncles, cousins, and myself, we have all won a lot of races and championships, but nobody in my family has won a Wally. Now, I will add that my family hasn't chased the NHRA scene through the years much, my dad did for about 2 years and that's it, so there has not been many opportunities to win a wally. I always thought that was part of the glory, that you had to run NHRA events in order to win one and don't agree with giving them out like candy! I will add that I have won the National dragster challenge and King of the track wally's and they do look cool sitting on the bar in the man cave, but to me they are not real wally's even though I earned them by winning an event. I will add that it is on my bucket list to win a real one and with me not getting any younger I have talked about it quite a bit the last couple years, but I just have a hard time with the cost/payout ratio! I need to push that aside and do it, because I would love to win one while my old man is still around!

quote:

Originally posted by TheBlueTruck:
Speaking of Wallys. Someone moved the tire. This is a National, Divisional and the Participation Trophy.

They're not all one piece or mounted solid, so the tire may rotate left or right.


I got a little Wally for winning Class at the Keystone Nationals, but I was the only car in the class, so it doesn't mean much. The Bracket Finals, Divisional, and National Wallys mean something.

I have a couple of the small ones. One for National Dragster Challenge at Silver Dollar Raceway in 2009, one for King of the Track at Atlanta Dragway in 2016. I love 'em. My wife thinks they clash with our living room decor, but that's part of the reason I love 'em