[Andy Friar]

In checking out the D2 payout based on 128 cars fields, if I read it correctly the top payouts are for the Alcohol classes, then SS, then Stock. Above Top Sportsman, Top Dragster & Comp. Are the payouts huge in comparison to the cost to participate, absolutely not. Can more than .25% of the racing community make a living off racing, no. But how many people got started in this hobby for the money you might win? No one that I go to the races with or that I know have drag cars is in it to for purse amount. I can appreciate and agree with many points I have seen over the years that the racers say the NHRA doesn't care about sportsman, or what is the well paid president doing to grow the sport, or what are the other well paid staff doing, or that the small purses compared to car and race operation costs feel disrespectful at times, etc.

For NHRA and it's employees it is a business and their jobs, right? We as their customers continue to pay annual memberships and show up at the races to compete, pay the increasing fees, for less qualifying attempts or TT runs, for the lower purses. Didn’t the US nationals have 170 stockers try to make the field? Are the total number of class cars down now from 20 years ago, I think so, but don't fully know. The classes we all like don't get new fans in the seats for the most part, unfortunately. Other than Norwalk, is there a points meet that has 1000 or more paying (non-racer family member/friend) spectators in attendance?

Could the NHRA do more to promote the sportsman levels, yes, but what is also the ROI for that effort? I don't know. In this day and age there is SO much to do that I don't necessary blame casual fans for not being into Stockers or other class cars. Wheelstanding stick shift cars are super cool to me, but normal people may not agree. I mean throttle stop cars are not exciting to watch if you are not a 'bleeds oil' motorhead, and my Dad raced Super Comp for 10+ years. As long as we as racers continue to pay to enter Nationals and Divisionals, what is the motivation for NHRA to change their view of sportsman racers for a less than 5 year financial growth reason? Long term sportsman level are the future and all classes have gotten really expensive, no one would disagree there.

I race because I love to race. I am blessed and fortunate to be able to race a limited schedule with zero expectation of winning $ back. The sport won't last in the future if everyone is like that, but I do try to do my part to get people I know with kids to come to the races as my guest to keep the racing alive for the next generation. I am open to and willing to support discussions to get NHRA to change their purses and/or creating new sanctioning bodies like the GLSSSA, but I don’t have the millions or desire to directly compete against NHRA either.