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PINKS All-Out To Visit Indy’s Hallowed Grounds
Written by: David Harris   
05/26/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
PINKS All-Out has become not only a television shoot, but also a huge spectator event. (Photo: SPEED) ยป More Photos

Ken Herring: “… Indianapolis is the place every drag racer wants to go - and win”

The annals of auto racing have many pages dedicated to the momentous occasions that have taken place within the city limits of Indianapolis. No matter the discipline - Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCar or NHRA – stars have been born and folklore has been made.

It’s with that reverence; the names, sounds, emotion and tradition that provide an inspiring backdrop to SPEED’s upcoming PINKS All Out television shoot in Indianapolis. The show, presented by NAPA, is a celebration on national cable television of grassroots drag racing, a stepping stone for many whom dream of one day hearing the legendary voice of NHRA’s Dave McClelland announce they had just taken a final-round victory during the U.S. Nationals – professional drag racing’s most prestigious race.

Show technical advisor Ken Herring, a resident of Tyler, Texas, has spent much of his life in and around the sport of drag racing. He talked about Indianapolis, and what it means to shoot the show at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park.

“When you talk about the U.S. Nationals and the NHRA, Indianapolis is the place every drag racer wants to go – and win,” said Herring, who also plays ‘The House’ on SPEED drag racing-inspired game show, Pass Time. “Throughout the years, I always followed Warren Johnson (Six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion) and Indy was where he shined. Now to shoot an All Out at one of the most historic drag strips in the world – it’s a great opportunity.

“It’s a professional drag racers dream to win at Indy,” Herring continued. “With PINKS All Out, we will be giving the grassroots drag racer the same opportunity – to win at Indianapolis, on national television and in front of a big crowd. This will be their opportunity to make a little history of their own.”

Hosted by creator
Rich Christensen, PINKS All Out invites more than 450 grassroots drag racers to battle for $18,000 in cash and a new NAPA tool chest. The final 16 cars are selected after two time trial sessions, where technical advisers Brian Bossone and Kail Christensen look for the closest grouping of cars based on elapsed time. Outside of passing NHRA safety regulations, the primary rule is that racers have to run ‘All Out.’ Those who were thought to have ‘sandbagged’ (or intentionally try to run a pre-determined elapsed time by modulating the throttle) will be disqualified from the competition.

The show is open to the public and tickets can be ordered by calling (800) 884-6472 or logging onto www.oreillyracewaypark.com.

PINKS All Out, called the ‘Woodstock of Drag Racing,’ by Summit Motorsports Park President Bill Bader Jr., is an entire day’s worth of on track racing and off-track activities, culminating at dusk in the running of the final 16. As part of the midway, which will feature many interactive track displays, the SPEED Mobile Theatre will be on hand providing air-conditioned entertainment and autograph sessions, while on-track fun often includes jet cars, wheel standers, a wheelie competition and a variety of professional and amateur drag racing equipment.

SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.
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