No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals?

Steve Hagberg · 11-11-2009, 11:28 AM

I recently had a conversation with someone close to NHRA who said that Glendora is considering not including Stock and possibly Super Stock at the 50th anniversary Winternationals. Apparently, due to limited pit space, they would exclude one or both of these classes so that they can debut Top Dragster and Top Sportsman at the event as new National Event classes. In the context of this being a celebration that recognizes the history of this event in the formative years of the NHRA, I think this would be a terrible decision. As many of you recall, in 1960 the explosion of factory muscle cars was just starting to take place and in just a few years the factory muscle car wars were dominating the drag racing scene. Stock Eliminator spawned Super Stock which led to Factory Experimental cars, leading to the birth of Funny Cars. How could they even consider not including these cars as part of the event? I have no bone to pick with the 'Top' classes, but they have no history with this event. Their debut could be a significant 'event leader' for another subsequent national event. So when the 50th Anniversary Celebration rolls around, I hope the NHRA doesn't forget to invite the bride to the party.
Steve

Dave Kommel · 11-11-2009, 11:42 AM

It would make much more sense to exclude Super Comp or Super Gas

butch8908 · 11-11-2009, 12:03 PM

Although not a racer, but a true fan, I agree with Dave. Probably hurt some guys/gals feelings, but when gas was all out and not throttle stopped it was a whole lot more fun to watch.

Wade Mahaffey · 11-11-2009, 01:20 PM

First of all, I say anyone who puts forth the effort to race at that level should be able to race. If they want to add classes, then add days to the race. Race one category to completion on say Tue, one on Wed, one on Thur, and so on until the weekend. Then they can mix the remaining sportsman classes up like they do now. If you start on Tue, that would allow a rain day if needed. Sportsman cars racing Tue, Wed, and Thur could park in the Pro pit area because they don't get in there till late Thusday. Also a competitor finished racing on Tue, Wed., or Thur., could vacate and allow parking for cars in the remaining categories. There could be an area to stage some rigs for those folks who wanted to stay for the remainder of the race. If a person raced on Wed., he could be back to work on Thur. and save some leave. All sportsman categories could rotate thru the Wed, Thur, Friday thing. Make room for all to play! It's kinda like nascar...trucks Fri, Nationwide cars Sat, Cup on Sunday. Example: S/G Tue, S/C Wed, Stock Thur, S/S Fri, then Top Dragster and Top sportsman on the weekend. The bonus for S/G and S/C is they can turn off the stop, and race top on the other day with the same car. Those guys would be all over that, car counts would surely be up and that means $$$ for Glendora. It's all good...more cars, more racing, industry grows....get it!

Ed Fernandez · 11-11-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

First of all, I say anyone who puts forth the effort to race at that level should be able to race. If they want to add classes, then add days to the race. Race one category to completion on say Tue, one on Wed, one on Thur, and so on until the weekend. Then they can mix the remaining sportsman classes up like they do now. If you start on Tue, that would allow a rain day if needed. Sportsman cars racing Tue, Wed, and Thur could park in the Pro pit area because they don't get in there till late Thusday. Also a competitor finished racing on Tue, Wed., or Thur., could vacate and allow parking for cars in the remaining categories. There could be an area to stage some rigs for those folks who wanted to stay for the remainder of the race. If a person raced on Wed., he could be back to work on Thur. and save some leave. All sportsman categories could rotate thru the Wed, Thur, Friday thing. Make room for all to play! It's kinda like nascar...trucks Fri, Nationwide cars Sat, Cup on Sunday. Example: S/G Tue, S/C Wed, Stock Thur, S/S Fri, then Top Dragster and Top sportsman on the weekend. The bonus for S/G and S/C is they can turn off the stop, and race top on the other day with the same car. Those guys would be all over that, car counts would surely be up and that means $$$ for Glendora. It's all good...more cars, more racing, industry grows....get it!

I'd rather see S/SS and S/ST/S/G/S/C fields at this race at 64 cars,T/S,T/D and Comp at 32 cars.I think that would work,and give the fans a good mix of categories.

X-TECH MAN · 11-11-2009, 02:09 PM

Makes more sense to me to run T FOOL. HA HA CARS, and the alcahol cars on Monday after the race is already over.

doglover44 · 11-11-2009, 07:41 PM

I think they if they dont have Stock an Super Stock Nhra will loose half of there racers. Stock and Super Stock is the backbone of this sport. Nhra is just gonna shoot them selves in the foot. just my 2 cents

11-11-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
Steve Hagberg Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 38 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? I recently had a conversation with someone close to NHRA who said that Glendora is considering not including Stock and possibly Super Stock at the 50th anniversary Winternationals. Apparently, due to limited pit space, they would exclude one or both of these classes so that they can debut Top Dragster and Top Sportsman at the event as new National Event classes. In the context of this being a celebration that recognizes the history of this event in the formative years of the NHRA, I think this would be a terrible decision. As many of you recall, in 1960 the explosion of factory muscle cars was just starting to take place and in just a few years the factory muscle car wars were dominating the drag racing scene. Stock Eliminator spawned Super Stock which led to Factory Experimental cars, leading to the birth of Funny Cars. How could they even consider not including these cars as part of the event? I have no bone to pick with the 'Top' classes, but they have no history with this event. Their debut could be a significant 'event leader' for another subsequent national event. So when the 50th Anniversary Celebration rolls around, I hope the NHRA doesn't forget to invite the bride to the party. Steve Last edited by Steve Hagberg; 11-11-2009 at 11:30 AM. Reason: spelling

11-11-2009, 11:42 AM	#2
Dave Kommel Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Dimas CA Posts: 143 Likes: 2 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? It would make much more sense to exclude Super Comp or Super Gas __________________ Dave Kommel

11-11-2009, 12:03 PM	#3
butch8908 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 860 Likes: 40 Liked 1,028 Times in 201 Posts	Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? Although not a racer, but a true fan, I agree with Dave. Probably hurt some guys/gals feelings, but when gas was all out and not throttle stopped it was a whole lot more fun to watch.

11-11-2009, 01:20 PM	#4
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? First of all, I say anyone who puts forth the effort to race at that level should be able to race. If they want to add classes, then add days to the race. Race one category to completion on say Tue, one on Wed, one on Thur, and so on until the weekend. Then they can mix the remaining sportsman classes up like they do now. If you start on Tue, that would allow a rain day if needed. Sportsman cars racing Tue, Wed, and Thur could park in the Pro pit area because they don't get in there till late Thusday. Also a competitor finished racing on Tue, Wed., or Thur., could vacate and allow parking for cars in the remaining categories. There could be an area to stage some rigs for those folks who wanted to stay for the remainder of the race. If a person raced on Wed., he could be back to work on Thur. and save some leave. All sportsman categories could rotate thru the Wed, Thur, Friday thing. Make room for all to play! It's kinda like nascar...trucks Fri, Nationwide cars Sat, Cup on Sunday. Example: S/G Tue, S/C Wed, Stock Thur, S/S Fri, then Top Dragster and Top sportsman on the weekend. The bonus for S/G and S/C is they can turn off the stop, and race top on the other day with the same car. Those guys would be all over that, car counts would surely be up and that means $$$ for Glendora. It's all good...more cars, more racing, industry grows....get it!

11-11-2009, 02:09 PM	#6
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? Makes more sense to me to run T FOOL. HA HA CARS, and the alcahol cars on Monday after the race is already over.

11-11-2009, 07:41 PM	#7
doglover44 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Carlisle OH Posts: 1,386 Likes: 4 Liked 489 Times in 227 Posts	Re: No Stock Eliminator at Winternationals? I think they if they dont have Stock an Super Stock Nhra will loose half of there racers. Stock and Super Stock is the backbone of this sport. Nhra is just gonna shoot them selves in the foot. just my 2 cents __________________ Jake Biermann