Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Word on the street is that John Force racing has laid off all employees and has pulled the plug on the 2020 season....If this is true it could really affect NHRA s attempt to restart the season ....

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Short answer is no. I have said for years that when the big 3 are out of fuel racing that would be the end of the class as we know it, and for all intents and purposes NHRA. The suits in Ca cannot see past the pro show at their events, that is until they start counting the money on a Monday and realize they are way short, and it will be because of no sportsman entry's. I don't watch any televised shows, dumped my sat tv several years ago. But if I do see something on or pick up a Natl Dragster there seems to always be an article on some member of the Force camp and rightly so they are the most well known. When Bill Bader backed out early on this year I made a comment that something is going on because the Bader's are the best promoters and are wired in. Only the opinion of a lowly sportsman racer.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

:):):): I did have some direct telephone conversation with a old pal @ John Force's shop yesterday...he clearly stated that NO formal announcement had been made or as far as he "knew" was pending...about pulling the plug (of course it is 2020...for sure ANYTHING seems possible !)...yikes...maybe before we all get too far along with SPECULATION...rest ez my brothers/sisters !!! lol...it'll ALL work out...just the way it's supposed to...ALWAYS does...imagine that :):):)

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

None of the Force cars show they are entered for the next two pro races at Indy, as well as Steve Torrence cars, and Salinas entries. I think NHRA will survive, I don't know if Force will, a lot of overhead cost

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

From what I’ve heard Salinas plans on running two races this year. Pretty strong rumor that the Capco boys will sit it out as well. Not looking good at all.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

The Capco bunch is tied to the oil business and we know how that’s going. All the PRO sponsors must be under a lot of pressure to trim budgets wherever possible and obviously they’re not getting much exposure right now, or guarantees they will for the rest of the year. However tough Bill Bader’s decision was it may prove a harbinger for other businesses associated with the sport.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Looks like NHRA is doing their best to fill the fields for Fox. Couple of old drivers coming back for a 2 race series and several others that I've never heard of, but that doesn't mean much since I don't follow TF. I notice that a couple of chassis, or is that chassii, are 21 years old. Back to the original question, I think the answer is no in its present form. Take Don S out as well and TF and FC are dead. Way too much money invested for the return. If they are going to keep the pro part alive lots of changes will have to be made. Stock and SS will remain alive if they want it to. Couple of tech men and it can be run at tracks all across the country.
Just my $.02/
Pete

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

This might be what's necessary to reset all of drag racing.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

All rumors so far but if Force and the Torrence family did sit out, it opens the door for new sponsorship opportunities to come about. How many companies chose not to sponsor a team knowing the Force and Torrence families gets the majority of the air time and it would be a struggle to get any TV time from Fox.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

NHRA has made the biggest mistake any business can make
Depending on a few BIG customers and neglect all the small ones
Folks we have seen the train wreck before .........IHRA
How did that work out..... asking for a friend

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

We had a discussion a year and a half or so ago, among just us racers that have done this awhile. Why not have 140 car fields, knock off all the grade points, at $330 a car, that's a bunch of cash flow, for all Sportsman categories. We could get there at the track on Monday, get pitted and entered, then get two or three time only's on Wednesday. Rounds one and two could go down on Thursday, three, and four on Friday AM leaving the afternoon for the Pro qualifying, then round 5 on Saturday, the Pros finish qualifying on Saturday with minimal sharing of the track time for the Sportsman, then the semis and the final round on Sundays in between the last few rounds of the Pros. Seems that that would bring in another almost $200,000 in entry fees total, and would only result in another day's work.It also wouldn't compromise the time requirements for the live TV viewers on Sunday.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Hey Ponko, back in the old days, we called that "Putting all of your eggs in one basket". What happens if you drop the basket?

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

James, did you remove the BAD AZZ FAST NOVA from the FOR SALE section. I sure HOPE you continue to race with US crazies....MJ

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

The CAPCO cars were testing at Martin(US131 MSP) just last week so doubt they’re sitting the year out.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

There's gonna be a whole lot of things reset, redone, rethought, reconsidered and gone forever etc. when this BS is finally over!

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I'd like to see NHRA, John Force and everything and everyone else survive and get right back to where they (we) were 5 months ago and prosper. I hope that happens because the new normal sucks.

But, as things "open up", whatever that means, I'm seeing places not returning. Closed. Gone. Businesses that managed to hold on being told they can open at 50% capacity, and just saying the hell with it and giving up.

The governors and state health secretaries in many states continue to keep their foot on the necks of businesses and the public. I see the corruption, favoritism and ineptitude in my home state and can only assume it's being repeated around the country.

Add in the civil unrest and it's not a good time to try to move forward with any plans. I'll keep my theories to myself, but I just don't believe in coincidences and I don't expect there will be any relief until after the election, if then. Until then, all we can do is hunker down and be glad for the few opportunities we have to do anything enjoyable.

Never before has the expression "There's always next year" been so relevant.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Talk about govt with their foot on business neck.. We are doing a kitchen remodel and looking at appliances. went to a Mom & Pop store about 35 miles west of us in a small town. I've had friends that bought from them and got good prices and service. they sell the same brands as our local Lowes store, but since covid they can't special order. They can only sell out of inventory. for that brand S/O we have to go to Lowes. OK so we are forced to go to Lowes for the American made brand we want. Right off we cant get a salesman & when we do the first thing out of his mouth insulted my wife.. We are out of there. Think we will look at some more local mom & Pop stores. I can afford to keep them in business. We are in some sad times..

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I am a firm believer things need to evolve to live and prosper I also believe there is a limit . The class at least in my lifetime that I was old enough to understand the sport has been out of hand since the early 90's car counts kept going down too much money needed to run and even for some people most would consider wealthy out of reach . Its d impossible for an " average " person to compete in fuel or Prostock for that matter and that is an issue. Indy car and even though it is relative Formula 1 put the brakes on development and rules. I think it is very irresponsible as a sanctioning body to ignore the cost to run a class and see the signs that a hand full of people are keeping it alive and depending on that . Any ideas will surely fall on deaf ears until someone or some of us in the trenches somehow make it into the the NHRA corporate food chain and make a difference. Garlits has spoken on this matter many times saying he would have a car out there right now but he's not going to blow up his stuff every round to be at the front of the pack considering what it cost and the return . He would go race after race never changing a motor at times not even changing pistons or heads . Yeah I know I know that was then and this is now but isn't now the time to put rules in effect to lower the cost to up the car count so someone that MIGHT be able to scrape up the cash to get a used car and some parts and a few volunteers and go racing maybe not set the world on fire but be out there be seen and help the class and the sport. 1000 foot racing sucks , none of us can even relate to what it cost to run one drivers are picked by sponsors more or less . I think most of us at one time were drawn to NHRA racing because of the fuel cars and hoping one day to pilot one but to be honest competing in stock there have been national events I have raced at and never watched a fuel car go down the track . Maybe its because now being able to compete at an event and dreaming about it as a kid its different for me now . In my opinion when more semis than truck and trailers are parked for a class its time to start pulling in the reigns on them and review the cost of the class and who is actually competing and flipping the bill . Man to think it wasn't too long ago or so it seems that a couple or three guys with some decent jobs could put together a fuel dragster and make it pay for itself and maybe win a little money but I was born to late to see that and its sad that me or any younger people ever will . Just like the Radial tire stuff you can race for $10,000 to $25000 all day for less than what we pay to run stock or super stock at a national event.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I read on Yellowbullet that someone who had (supposedly) talked to a Force crewmember was told that Force has had to return a bunch of sponsor money since the season has not restarted yet. I read an interview with Force on Dragzine a month ago and he was nervous as a dog crapping pea gravel then, and he stated the future was very uncertain.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Indeed ..

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I see Force cars entered for Denver. Of course doesn't mean they neccesarily will be there.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

And as a side note concerning the future, over the holiday week there were a couple of big dollar bracket races going on. California Bash and SFG 1.1 Million in Martin Michigan. Think there was 630 entries for SFG.
Was there a mention of lowering Stock entries allowed at a National event?
Can NHRA survive without JFR or DSR..

Ron Ortiz
U/SA I are good at counting.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

The Force cars are entered in lots of races, just not the two Indy races.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

They were entered in all races pre Covid-19. Everything’s changed now

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

How can they run the Denver nat event and the 2nd Indy race on the same weekend? I see that Antron Brown is entered in both races. That's going to be quite an accomplishment.
I thought that they cancelled the Denver race. I've heard that they won't have the Brainerd race unless they can open up the campground and the zoo. Without that I don't think they can't break even on the race. Doesn't look too good.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Denver is scheduled for 7-9 August. Well...at least the NHRA schedule has it then...I do see where the event registration website has it in July.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Top fuel will survive just fine without Force and Schumacher. If alcohol guys and small fuel teams felt they had a chance to win they'd show up to race.

Now NHRA is a different story. All those executives with big salaries would have to take a pay cut to make it work and reduce their bloated bureaucracy. That's probably not going to happen.

Wouldn't it be great if NHRA moved out of California and landed in Indy and cut loose all of those "big shots" and marketing people who are worthless? Maybe then they'd have some money and a vision to keep them from continuing to circle the drain.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I feel after this Covid is over NHRA will change things up next year

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

How would this be feasible for the "working man"? Every event for a racer would mean taking vacation time. Unless all "sportsman" own their own business or are retired you will lose racers here too.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Guess we’ll find out soon enough with the limited PRO show this coming weekend. DSR will be out there with 4 entries just in TF so there probably will be close to full fields JFR or not. But NHRA can’t make a go without a big gate. Saw the Denver track got sideways with the health department this weekend so the prospects for a big fan event in a month from now looks unlikely. My normally glass half full has been turned upside down I’m afraid.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-sta...h-of-july-race

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

A lot will depend on the states the events will be run in, there are govt. offical types who don't like us, never had, and love their power to kontrol. John Kissel K242

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Its just a matter of time before John Force, Don Schumacher and Connie Kallita decide to retire. Sponsor issues will make this happen. It takes a lot of money to run any of these big teams. None of these owners are going to run the teams on their own money. Schumacher had his son sitting on the sideline with no sponsor to pay the bill on his car. When this finally happens and it will the pro show will be much different than we have seen for the past couple of decades. No one person or team is going to cause NHRA to fold up and disappear. Poor management, bad business practices and a failing economy will be the cause of that. There have already been some really big name Pro stars that have retired over the years and NHRA did not shut down.
Sportsman seem to be alive and well right now. Plenty of cars have been showing up at the divisional races that have been run since the shut down.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

Unless NHRA follows F1 and starts to restrict some spending i cant see how teams will be able to survive. If Chevy leaves Force that will be a huge blow, DS doesnt want to spend his own money and Capco could be out soon also as the pipeline business is going through some major hurdles. Throw in the virus and election this year, companies are worried about their financial situations and usually first on the chopping block is racing. May be NASCAR will buy the NHRA and its assets for a major discount.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

After various replies, perhaps the title should be....Can NHRA survive EVEN with John Force ?

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

It will be interesting to see how NASCAR does over the next few years. They have lost a lot of their fan base lately.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

NASCAR seems to be doing OK right now. They are racing and the TV viewer numbers are up about 8-10 percent above the pre virus numbers. They are loosing on the amount of spectators that are not at the racetrack each week. They seem to be keeping the sponsors happy with the good TV coverage.

That is one of the things that is hurting the NHRA. They have no TV revenue and virtually no good TV coverage. Right now the only have some sportsman racing going on and that is not going to keep their sponsors happy. Between what the sportsman and spectators bring in that's what pays the pros along with their sponsor money. No Race No Sponsor money.

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I think I am going to get in on this discussion. Maybe they will have to go down to 8 car fields and can hopefully up the sportsman entries. They (NHRA) haven't figured out yet that Pro teams cost them money and sportsman racers bring them money just on entry fee alone. I am not sure on this but the Blue Def pulled a lot of sponsorship from teams like Dan Fletcher and I had thought it was just to cover Force but maybe not. Corporate dollars might not be as easily accessible as the big teams are used to.They can easily run most events in a 3 day format which would make life easier for the sportsman racer with taking time off from work. but until the stands are full they are missing out on cubic dollars from concessions, merchandising, not to mention local hotels and stuff like that. There are bigger issues for sure,more so than Force, Torrance, or Salinas.

Just my 2 cents

C.P.
6664 Drag Pack

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

The real draw is nitro smell and noise. Certainly a character like Force has some draw. If NHRA marketing would awake from their coma, they need to groom a character or two, the trick is to find a likable character with a little flair, surely the Hawley school could identify someone or two
As the big dogs drift away, I would think fringe players may step up....give the fans the nitro fix, most will never notice a tenth slower or so
Use Garlits ideas to reduce cost
Maybe 8 car shows, maybe mix FC & TF in a “King of the Hill”, FC gets lane choice
Surely those high paid corporate suits listed in the front of ND, are thinking outside the box

Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

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Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ?
 

I watched the D1 LODRS coverage from Lebanon Valley, most of the weekend. At the end of the day on Sunday, coverage video was from behind the starting line and panned to both cars in the water. I think the view from there has potential.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k17bRIOCrdk
check it at 7:07:29
MJ