Dear Mr. Berry,

I found your article in the Feb. 16, 2025 edition of HRUespecially intriguing. You referenced introducing a form of an open draw for drivers in specific races. Ironically, I sent the following email and attachment to Jeff Gural in 2011 that suggested the very same special concept. Mr. Gural was kind enough to reply saying his biggest concern with this type of race was the large gamblers would not welcome this format since the drivers play such an integral role in their handicapping. While I understood his concerns, I always felt adding an extra race an evening would have been a good opportunity to test-ride this idea; with little downside. Over a decade later, The Meadowlands is now carding amateur races and their handle is far from suffering.

It would be nice if one track took a leap of faith and tried to employ this model. Why not during the winter months when the racing product is at its absolute worst and many of the top drivers are vacationing? Hopefully, your article will spur some meaningful conversations at race offices.

Paul Kingslow / Oradell, NJ