Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

For stock/Superstock racers, INDY is basically an ALL RUN field. This turnout is WORSE than last year, the year of COVID. WAKE UP NHRA, you have lost touch with the stock/Superstock racers ….you know us, WE are the racers that pay the BILLS ….

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Yes! Can't even fill the 150 quota. Sad. That should tell them something ,but they don't care we already know this. Sometimes I sit and wonder if I made the right choice , but now I know I did ! I'm glad I sold everything !!!!!!!!

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

If I can ever get myself healed up enough. I’ll be back. It’s still my goal to make the show at Indy. I don’t care if I get creamed and I probably will. I still want to say I did it. I know I was only in stock a short time. Just got hurt at work. I haven’t quit or retired. I’m still buying parts to make the car better. Even if I can’t drive it right now. Two more surgeries to go. And hopefully I’m ready by spring.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Hurry up and heal Rob, we need you …

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I predicted that having AHFS in force would turn a sizzling event into just another race with the exception of having a bigger car count. And I was correct .. That's too bad ..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Definitely..I had the same thought earlier..
More later..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

The 150 car quota was filled in stock and Super Stock. In fact I think they were both over by at least 5.
Do you think those that pulled out just thought that the AFHS would be lifted? Maybe there were people still trying to get in that couldn't pull the trigger the last minute when it opened up below quota again.

I know people withdraw all the time, and I know some might have pulled out with reasons beyond their control, but I'd like to see if 25+ people withdraw in the last week every year.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Mineshaft conditions cancelled out the AHFS. Based on historical qualifying, that's what many people expected.

I think Covid, the Canadian border closure, format, AHFS and hurricane Ida were all factors.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I see 136 stockers
and
137 super stockers with my FACTS and my math the doesn't equal 300!

There are a lot of people that aren't happy with the way things are going is my guess why there are not as many people as usual. Like the post said the LUSTER is gone!!

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

However, mineshaft does not negate -1.20 runs AND we are fixing to see a BLOODBATH in H/SA …..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

It’s not unusual for 10% of the entries drop out at the last minute. If the goal is to have 150 cars then the quota needs to be 165. Stuff happens. Cars break. Trucks break down. Health and family issues arise. Work sometimes get in the way.
The schedule is not favorable for the stock and super stock classes. Class on Wednesday and first round on Thursday and half the field is on their way home and the event has barely gotten under way. Basically we are Just in the way there.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I’m 43, and I’ve been to Indy roughly 25 times, obviously starting at a young age. Been to the last 12 or so in a row. All my visits have been as a spectator. I do wish there was no AHFS this year, as you could see tons of drivers lifting early. But I wouldn’t say it’s lost a thing. There are as many cars here as their ever has been, especially with the inclusion of Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Super Street. I come every year on Wed/Thurs/Fri (I do have to leave after tomorrow this year), that won’t change. The Big Go is awesome.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

What facts? A week ago both classes were filled up. I guess you weren't watching. It actually went over because when Matt Lisa made the Jegs Allstar race, he told me he was still allowed in the big race even though it met the quota.

In fact, in George Wrights post on qualifying predictions he names all 150 stock entries, and 156 super stock entries

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

We dropped out early Monday. Not due to luster, AHFS or any thing other than fighting a problem we didn't beat. We tested at Rockingham Thursday, worked again Friday and tested at Atlanta Saturday and made the hard decision not to go. We were fast enough to Q but AHFS was not a concern. Just an issue we didn't feel safe running with. If we had fixed the problem we were set to go. Hated to miss it as we are not getting any younger.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

OMG!! Here click on the link for FACTS!!

I'm telling you they can't fill the quota at 150 I don't care what happened a few weeks ago. I'm talking about how many cars showed up at Indy this year. They can't get 150 stock or super stock to show up does that help you understand what I'm trying to say ? My point is there used to be over a 160 cars show up back in the day or more and now more and more aren't going.


https://www.nhraeventreg.com/ListEventStatus.asp

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Here is what I know, …..keeping in mind COVID, AHFS, IDA and our Canadian friends are shut out ……136 entries in stock is the LOWEST number of entries that I can ever remember at the US NATIONALS….Heck , there were more stocker entries at that HELL HOLE Columbus for the Sportsnats ….

RIDDLE ME THAT …..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

EXACTLY!!! What is so hard to understand about what I said, I MEAN ****!!



I'm going to have to ask you MJ, do you have any FACTS to support your claim lmao lmao!!!

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Short answer is YES.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Mr. Tosto, just the FAX …..LOL …..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

It was a hell off a class final .003 at the stripe. The 305/263 combo is safe for now.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

It sure was, the most exciting class final of the day. Congrats to Chris Butcher who won his 8th class Wally at INDY …

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Some reasons why the bloom is off the rose, IMO...Some might be temporary..Some not.
Not necessarily in chronological order.

Class winners no longer automatically qualify.

Single class cars have to run Combo to win a trophy

Higher entry with less money to win..Class money down to peanuts, thanks to NHRA's bogus sponsor fleecing system.

ALL class winners used to have to tear down at Paul Harvey Ford..This separated the workers from the Wallets

Labor day finals..a tradition.

All Stars are a Sportsman program..They belong at Sportsnationals..Put them back where they belong.

No longer calling class in alphabetical order. ( I should have said "running") Another tradition,...gone for the sake of expedience

No Redman

AHFS...What did enforcing it just prove, when it's going to be mineshaft anyway? All it did was hide the fact that there are a few combos that their system can't deal with.

180 quota made for more variety and more effort to make the show. Icing, pushing cars to the water box etc. in order to make or stay in the show. Isn't that what Indy is supposed to be about?

I'm sure there's more...

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

In 2012 there were only 140 stockers and 144 super stiockers

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Last time I was there, 2004..180 Stockers

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I do not think our family will ever go there again to race.
It is not the same race and experience as it used to be for us.

Times change = I Guess.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

No question us old timers lived through the best times at Indy!

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

How about Chris Butcher beating Jim Marshall for the H/SA Wally! I didn't see that coming.
That's what Indy is all about.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Sure Marshall has a very “colorful” take on that run, one which I’m interested in hearing when I see him next. I’m still curious just how fast Caleb really is…and who saw Hale losing class? Rink losing his class Wally streak; yep lots of oddities and disappointing in some regards but I have never been glued to my iPad like I was yesterday (and thanks to NHRATV for making that possible) so Indy is still Indy and hopefully they’ll make some announcements to help restore the luster for everyone.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I could of sworn I heard Marshall blipping the throttle right before the finish line. I think they both held a little back. Awesome race!!!





Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

When was the last time it took .536 under to make the Stock Elim. Field ??

Usually it takes .85 under to get in, but I’m sure a lot of the guys didn’t go
this year because of the AHFS in place. Just my opinion.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

If their isn’t any $$$ to win class, why risk going 1.20 under just to get a HP hit ??
Probably why you might’ve heard him blip the throttle.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

I agree Bret... I believe he gave it back to him (trying to avoid the dreaded -1.20 under run)... Just my opinion

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

If I could have liked this post 100 times I would have.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

No. He wasn’t
Jim Marshall is racing with apiece of plywood for a front end
The camaro on the other hand is cutting thru the headwind like an arrow
Also Jim is carrying 150 lbs more than the camaro
Looking at the time slip the camaro picks up like 4 hundred from the 660 to the 1000ft
Great race but the 305 camaro is a little soft ...but fast

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Actually James, it’s that ultra trick 1983 front fascia that makes the camaro so wind resistant …..

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

It appears that Jim Marshall has the car set up for 10.97-10.98 passes.


He had a starting line advantage in excess of .04 on the last class run.


Chris Butcher could not have gone any quicker or faster on that specific pass.


During this event, it's highly probable that Jim Marshall could have gone well below 10.97 if he chose to.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Has INDY lost its luster ???

For me not yet, it's been pretty damn cool so far, but to Mark's points it could be even better which gives me "goose bumps".

I live for this!

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

If they would eliminate all throttle stop cars from this race it would help to bring back some of the "Go fast or go home" identity to this race. We now have plenty of classes to fill up the all the time this race has ( Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Pro Mod, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Fuel Harley). Move the Jegs race to Columbus at the Sports Nationals.

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Both Jim and Chris have two fast race cars. Both are more than capable drivers. This time Chris did what he needed to win. Congrats to Rod and Chris.

If they were to race again without the AHFS I wouldn't bet on either one. They are both that fast. BP

Re: Has INDY lost its luster ???
 

Marshall ran his car as a 79 model Nova. The 77 model Nova has a better hp factor