Urbie thought race cars were more important.
And Urbie was in fact right. The Funny Car sponsorship was the smartest thing he ever did. I doubt he realized it at the time; I think his original plan was merely to indulge a personal hobby.
But just think how many people attended the races, many, no doubt, spending more money on their trips than their stock was worth. At the meets they were able to talk with Urbie--one even said, amazingly, "He was standing there like a God"--and develop friendships with other CMKX shareholders. The races also reeled in new marks: Melvin said recently that after ever meet he got an avalanche of new inquiries.
If it hadn't been for the Funny Car, I doubt the CMKX cult would be as cohesive as it is today.
Of course we now know that Urbie stiffed practically all of the drag racing people he sponsored, but the True Longs don't like to think about that. lol, if he stiffed THEM, just imagine what he has in mind for shareholders.
