Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone
Frank, there have been quotas for a long time, but they were realistic and reflected the previous year's demand.
The ridiculously low quotas started maybe 4-5 years ago, when the Fox Sports TV package began. NHRA decided they didn't want too many of those pesky Stockers around on Sunday for the audience to see.
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I wonder if NHRA is considering the look of empty stands on TV? With small fields at Vegas, the pits were half empty, after 2 rounds of sportsman eliminations, before the Pro categories got their first qualifying run. With all the racers leaving early including their "crew", literally thousands of spectators leave before the Pro's hit the track. In our group 14 people left the race early as a result of how the race is managed by NHRA. I know Covid is a major factor, but the pits looked like a ghost town by 11:00 am Saturday. Sponsors want to advertise in front of the masses. A few hundred people in the stands and empty pits is not a good look.