My take on the Indy schedule
 

1. Parking on Monday
This decision is a good one to avoid the fiasco of last year, and is one any successful business would make to fix a problem.

2. Combining stock and SS class eliminations into one day

NHRA has products they sell to us, the racers. One of these is the class runoff experience at the U.S. Nationals.
Many of my favorite race track memories are the are two days of class runoffs. Racers cooling at the back of staging, friends and people you don’t even know helping push your car in staging.

This schedule is going to result in a mad rush to prep your car after Q1 and then, at least for me and many others, running back and forth from stock to SS. (A first world problem, for sure but it is the U.S. Nationals)

I understand NHRA has other priorities (jegs all stars for example) but I want them to understand they are weakening the stock, SS experience.

3. E 1 Thursday morning

One half of the field will be out before lunch Thursday at the. U.S. Nationals. Think about that. Not prepping for class, not tearing down, not watching the bump spot, they’re out.

I realize these are special times. I supported the Covid effected Indy last year and was grateful for the abbreviated class schedule.

If this is the “new normal” ( I hate that term) for INDY I’m afraid I will no longer be the Indy “junkie” I was.

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Exactly why I'm not going. They ruined it and pretty much all Nat'l events!!!

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Mike and Paula,

YOU NAILED IT. We agree with you 100%.

#keepindyindy

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Is this the the "new normal" I don't know, but think you need to wait until next year to found out.

This year they are still not racing on Monday. There is a race the following weekend here in PA.

Looking at what there was last year for racing and what it looked like at the beginning of this year with canceled races.

IMO I think they have no done to bad of a job.

Stan

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

It sure will be strange looking at all the empty pit spots on Friday afternoon. It seems that NHRA s new business model is to get the SPORTSMAN outta here as soon as possible. Now I know how the band felt while the TITANIC was going down ….

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

So what is the answer for all of us class race junkies. Do we all go to Columbus one year for class, no limit on entries, or will NHRA limit the entry to keep control. If they have Class at Vegas they will keep the entries down so we all can’t play. The Badger Clasic was a successful combo race add a scale and fuel check and it could be a great class race destination. Belle Rose class at an open then a points race later in the week. Gainesville class could be done as an open then the points race. At opens -1.20 under has no penalty.
To make it real class the rules have to be enforced, so tech is a must, but what will be the teeth that tech will use to enforce the rules. We saw how NHRA handled a cheater this year at Gainesville, yes I’m still disappointed in them and their limp wrist response

What and where the answer is I don’t know , but part of the answer is a well prepared track, scales, fuel check, and friendly fair tech.
Let’s all a think about and find a solution.

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

I agree with Brother Cotton on all points.
Let me add a few additional complaints I have with it. Now you all know I’m never been an nhra basher and stick up for them regularly.
But this right here hurts. And yes, full disclosure, I have not been to Indy before, this will be my first time.

My biggest problems are that they have combined S and SS class racing into one day, and what’s probably worse, is that as mike said, 50% of the core nhra sportsman classes will
be done on Thursday, and what, 75%? will be done on Friday while then we have:
“Street Car Shootout”, “Nostalgia Pro Stock”, and “Scott Rods Exhibition” running in front of the fans Friday AND Saturday”.

They are trying to deal with a tight schedule, made tighter by one less day, yet they add classes that do not, and technically have no official place in an nhra national event, yet those classes get some “fans in the stand time” while 75% of us either pack up and head home or drink beer and watch.

Extremely disappointed.

Kp

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Seems parking is very important to the schedule now. 5 of the 8 day schedule has parking involved. 5 days have racing happening.

Not sure how big the audience is for 1930 and 1940 straight axle hotrods that are willing to pay U.S. National ticket prices. Half of them can't make a full pass. Same goes for 3 or 4 nostalgia pro stockers. Bring them to a divisional race maybe to get fans. We could remove the wheelie bars from a couple stock and superstock cars to make more wows I'm sure. I can shoe polish my bumper if it pays.

You look at the schedule for Friday. Nitro starts at 7:30 and secure the track 8:45. Big fields are expected I guess. Pits should be 3/4 empty by then.

To be honest I haven't been at Indy since 1982. I moved from division 1 to division 7 when my first wife passed from Cancer. So I don't have much say in the race. Too far for me these days to tow. Wish I could!. When I did go there were over 200 stockers there to fill a 96 car field. That was some great racing just to make the field.

Paul Haszlauer

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Add up all the views these exhibitions get and you might end up with half the views the Johnny Gray/John Shaul final got.

Re: My take on the Indy schedule
 

Bobby brings up a good point. The views from that heads-up final might hopefully shine a little light on future decision making. NHRA has a tough job to try and please the audience and the racer alike (along with balancing a schedule). It can't be easy and hopefully with the input from the SRA, the sportsman schedules will be considered and constructed in a favorable manner.

#keepindyindy