Editorial: Has Donald Long set the bar too high?

In a day and age where we are lead to believe that anything is obtainable, one has to wonder if multi-time Promoter of the Year Donald Long has set the bar too high. 

2018 is not the first time that we have had amazing races or even amazing promoters. There have been a long line of amazing regional and national promoters over the last fifty to sixty years. Some have been quiet and reserved, while others have been bold, brash, and completely over the top. Yet one thing holds true for all of them, they are all trying to put on the best possible show for the fans, racers, sponsors, etc. 

We can look back and see promoters like Broadway Bob or even Wally Parks. They were going to give you a show. Now most that are reading this aren't going to know some of the ones that laid the foundation for all of this. A lot of us know the Donald Long, Monty Mikho, Mel Roth, Dave Hance, Jason Miller, Wade Rich, Tyler Crossnoe, and Keith Haneys of the world. There's nothing wrong with that either, but let's look at this then over the last 10-15 years. 

What you have in drag racing since the beginning of this century and half of the last century were standard bearers. Over the last decade or so, there is no question that Donald Long has been out front when it comes to setting the standard in our industry. That is not to take away from anything that other promoters though. It is solely to point out that there are those that set standards for other to achieve. The same can be said in any field, whether it be business, sports, or just about anything. There are going to be those that, every time you think they can't do more they do. 

If you look back to the earlier part of the century, dating back to the early 2000's, the standard, in my opinion, was Dave Hance with the Shakedown at Etown. For years, Shakedown, World Street Nationals, and World Cup, were standard bearer races. When Dave decided to step away and concentrate on his other businesses, it really did leave a gap in the industry. When we lost a year of World Street Nationals during transition at Orlando, it left a gap in the industry. Now, with the crop of promoters that we have, it seems we are full speed ahead. 

The question for me then becomes, what happens next and how do we sustain momentum? When Dave left Shakedown, it was a gasp, and all of our collective jaws hit the ground. Well what do we do when Jason Miller, Donald Long, or Monty Mikho decide that it's time to do something else? Has Donald set that bar so high, that no matter what happens, he has set an unobtainable level for the rest to achieve? Will there be someone to step in and come up with or improve on something even more? The answer is yes. I will explain to you why the bar isn't too high, and why we in drag racing are in a better place because of Donald and others than we ever have been. 

NMRA, NMCA, PDRA, Mid-West Pro Mod, NEOPMA, NHRA, ADRL, IHRA, WCHRA, PSCA, and those are just the associations. Let us not forget about promoters like Tyler Crossnoe, Jordan Grunwald, Matt Plotkin, Evan Bader, Jason Miller, Shannon Morgan, Keith Haney, Lance Stanford and Travis Harvey, along with many more. The variety of events that we have the ability to attend as a racer or spectator is greater than it's ever been. Whether you are into radial, no prep, grudge, pro mod, nitro, brackets, etc. there is something for everyone. 

Now we all know that this didn't come about because of Donald Long. What did come about were some of the smartest and youngest in the business, learning how putting on a race and marketing a race. Donald Long, love him or hate him, is an absolute showman that puts asses in the seats, cars in the pits, media on the wall, and cash in the racers pockets. Gone are the days of purse cutting. Gone are the days of come race for $1000 over 4 days. You may not like Donald's race, his style, or his brashness, but you can't deny that he has set the bar mighty high for others to reach to. 

There will come a time, I am willing to bet that time is sooner than later, that Donald decides that he has done all he can do, and that it's time to walk away, at least for a little while. That will be a huge hole to fill. The same can be said if and when Monty or Jason ever hang it up too. I think we are lucky to have what we have in our industry, and I think that there are those working on ways to raise the bar even higher than Donald has over the last decade. 

I guess, to answer the question, it's a resounding no. Donald hasn't set the bar to high, he has just set the bar high enough for the best to try and reach. Who honestly knows, another ten years from now, we may be talking about whether Tyler, Matt, Jordan, or someone else has set the bar too high for the next generation. Either way, it's certainly fun to watch and be a part of. Who wants to top $101k to win a class? Anyone?