[Bench Racer]

Not exactly the original topic but. I never raced but have always helped my brother with his Super Stock cars. He started with IHRA in the early 80 with 2 production SS wagons, then switched to NHRA SS/GT cars. He ran the "flat hood" car in IHRA for a season or two and started running NHRA when IHRA was beginning to dry up. Under Larry Carrier IHRA was pretty strong in the south. Bristol, Darlington, and Rockingham were always packed for the national events. Many of the IHRA points races were held at small out dated tracks but the racing was always good and you were made to feel welcomed. I have no early experience with NHRA for comparison, but IMHO with NHRA being the only game in town the sportsman racers options are limited and NHRA knows this and don't care. If you don't believe me just go through tech and teardown your first time at Indy and get treated like a russian spy. Even before IHRA was sinking they welcomed and appreciated racers. NHRA now at the national event level would IMHO be happy to only have 12 cars in each sportsman class to fill in betwen the pro's. I have watched the trends of Nascar, and drag racing for the past 30 years.Take a look at the empty seats. Is it lack of interest or is it $$$ driven and the price too much for a family of four? I love class racing and hope it is around for years to come. Sportsman racers are what built NHRA and I hope they don't forget it. Just my $.02, Don Jackson