NHRA At It Again

[Larry Hill]

The Arizona Nationals as of 1/4/23 had a quota of 60 in S/S, Stk, S/C, and I think S/G. Seven days later it’s reduced 16.7% to 50 entries per category.

It’s refreshing to know that NHRA is showing no favoritism to East or West in respect to the members having to grab their ankles.

[Paradigm Shift]

Seven days later it’s reduced 13.33% to 50 entries

The entry reduction is even greater.

[Charles Stewart]

Quota are now 70 ???
https://www.nhra.net/2023/nhraracer/NE/23_Quotas.pdf

[Larry Hill]

NHRA just changed it from 50 to 70. That's more like it NHRA

A person can see from the time stamp that the quota got changed within the last 60 minutes.

[J.R. Haddad]

Guys and Gals, it is time for a little honesty session between partners.
By partners, I mean the members and supporters of NHRA, and the
NHRA. We each have Divisional Representatives in Stock/Super Stock.
My understanding is that they are our Liaison between the Racers, and
the NHRA. I, and I'm sure many others here have represented their
Company's, Employers, Action Groups, etc. as a member of one of these
groups. The purpose of getting these two sides together is to open dialogue
up between the two, so that we better understand each other's challenges,
and pull in the same direction, rather than each group going their own direction. I have been in this sport longer than I care to admit, and now that
I have recently retired, I want to live the dream, and race as much as I want.
But, with continually reduced quotas, and seemingly less importance than I signed up for being put on our classes, all I want is some honesty. If NHRA is going to continue to reduce Quotas, and in effect, ask us to leave, I would like to now. If that is the case, allow us the respect to know
what the 5 year plan is, so we may be guided accordingly. We can alter our course of competitive business, sport and entertainment accordingly.
We are all adults, I believe we deserve respect of being treated in that fashion.

Regards,

J.R. Haddad

[TOSTO RACING]

That's great news on the 20 more quota!!!!

[Mike Pearson]

There is 5 less classes at Phoenix than the Gators. No prostock motorcycles, pro mod, TAD. TAFC and no Factory stock showdown. I guess that opened up some more spots for sportsman. Definitely not filling up as fast as the gators.

[Alan Roehrich]

So, we stepped away a few years ago, and parked our car. Because of that, I'm asking this question: What has the attendance of the LODRS races been like in the past five years or so? On both sides of the covid stupidity, before and after.


I ask this to see if maybe NHRA is using the shrinking quotas for more than one purpose. If attendance for the LODRS races is down, are they using the shrinking quotas to drive people back to those races to earn more grade points?

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

So, we stepped away a few years ago, and parked our car. Because of that, I'm asking this question: What has the attendance of the LODRS races been like in the past five years or so? On both sides of the covid stupidity, before and after.


I ask this to see if maybe NHRA is using the shrinking quotas for more than one purpose. If attendance for the LODRS races is down, are they using the shrinking quotas to drive people back to those races to earn more grade points?

I have not seen any noticeable decline in the car counts at the LODRS events as a result of the actual covid virus scare. I have actually done more racing during the covid era. Fuel was less expensive during the Trump years and covid. Now with fuel near $5 gallon and crazy supply issues some may have had issues with building, fixing and getting parts to keep their race cars and tow rigs running. I dont think there were many that just sat home because of the virus.

The shrinking of quotas is a direct result of NHRA adding classes. Now we have the new FX class starting this year. That will take more of the sportsman quota away at Nationals.
Last year approximately 935 stock eliminator cars competed and scored points. Just over 700 super stock cars ran for points. I would venture to say we have the highest car counts of any other classes but we are getting pushed out by classes that have nowhere near the numbers we have.

[Lenny5160]

Stock does seem to be the largest of the sportsman classes. I looked back from 2022 - 2017 to see how many Stockers ran a points-earning race of any kind, how many ran at least 5 Divisional races, and how many ran the full slate of 8+ Divisionals each year:

2022: 969 - 287 - 51
2021: 957 - 291 - 73
2020: 850 - 239 - 32
2019: 1077 - 282 - 61
2018: 1077 - 250 - 39
2017: 1088 - 260 - 42

It appears that the pandemic did affect the total number of racers to a decent degree.

The number of racers getting at least their 5 points races has been remarkably consistent.

It does look like the number of racers really maximizing their points potential and/or chasing grade points has been on the rise beginning in 2019, although I'd guess fuel prices put a slight damper on it in 2022.