NHRA ProStock changes coming!

[BLIND MULE]

http://www.dragracingonline.com/agen...xvii_7-19.html

[Alan Roehrich]

I seriously doubt it will work. It will require a return to the constantly changing weight breaks that were killing the class 35 years ago. Or some form of factoring as seen in Stock Eliminator and Super Stock. That will discourage both OE corporations and teams from investing the millions of dollars required to field a Pro Stock operation.

Pro Stock is actually struggling because of NHRA's failure to properly market drag racing.

If they were really smart, changes to the classes themselves would be minimal, at most, for 2-3 years. See what actually broadcasting and promoting the sport does first, and then see if changes are needed.

The multiple weight break format that somewhat allowed widely varying engine combinations to compete on a marginally level playing field barely survived 10 years. The 500 cubic inches and 2350 pounds format has kept Pro Stock fairly viable for almost 35 years, well into the era during which NHRA failed miserably in promoting the sport to the point where multiple championship contenders either fell by the wayside or barely survived due to the inability to obtain and retain sponsors.

Pro Stock is not struggling because of 500 cubic inch engines. Pro Stock is struggling because practically no one ever sees them race, and as such, few sponsors are willing to spend massive amounts of money on the class. Championship contenders and racers with dozens of wins could not get money to race. The "big three" are not suddenly going to step up and fully fund a 16 car field just because they use stuff found on the new factory race cars.

Could Pro Stock improve with some rule changes? Sure. A wholesale rewriting the engine rules in hopes of inciting a "factory war" which will require continued participation by all the OE corporations on a large scale, however, is not likely to work. Remember, both Ford and Chrysler have pulled out more than once rather than spend money on an engine program to compete with GM. Let a few OE combinations get penciled a few times as they were 35 years ago and see what happens.

[600ci]

JR. pro stock we need it

[MR DERBY CITY]

Pro stock and comp eliminator fields are shrinking, due to Nobama ....we are running out of Millionaires......LOL......M.J.

[ww63]

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Pro stock and comp eliminator fields are shrinking, due to Nobama ....we are running out of Millionaires......LOL......M.J.

But a significant increase in Billionaires!!!!!!!!

[russellauto1]

How about taking away points or fining them for incomplete or abandoned runs. No one wants to sit through a session of 12 out of 16 cars making 60ft runs. Same For FC and TF.

Or give them points for completing the run. Either way, It will get more exciting.

[Harry 6674]

It's about time pro stock moves into this century. They cannot attract young fans with antique carburators. Good move.

[Harry 6674]

I hope they do something about those ugly-*** hood scoops while they're at it.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by russellauto1

How about taking away points or fining them for incomplete or abandoned runs. No one wants to sit through a session of 12 out of 16 cars making 60ft runs. Same For FC and TF.

Or give them points for completing the run. Either way, It will get more exciting.

So, your plan is to either punish drivers and/or car owners for bad track conditions, or convince them to wreck their cars to add to the excitement. Great plan. Stay in the throttle and crash, or get fined, because the track sucks.

After all, the fans are sure to find sitting through an extra 8 hours of clean up from wrecks and oil downs enthralling, the tractors, wreckers, and grease sweep will have them on the edges of their seats.

The down time is sure to convince Fox what a great idea it was to broadcast drag racing, too.

[randy wilson]

Drag racing will be a side show like monster trucks in 10, to 15 years.