Did Anybody Else Catch This?!

[jmcarter]

Agree with Alan and others here but think bracket racers have proven themselves a resilient bunch. Might be more open trailers than stackers in the future but don't know that dimishes the experience for anyone. As long as there are tracks/operators like at Norwalk the sport will survive for the next few decades at least.

NHRA operating like they have the same kind of leverage as NASCAR or F1 has led us down this path, along with promoters like Bernstein who fed the fever for faster and faster Pros no matter the cost.

[bob3240]

Racing is expensive, sure, but what really is expensive is losing.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I watched about no more than 5minutes of tv coverage this year,did'nt really keep up with any of pro classes in ND either.
I don't really like what it has became w/multi car teams and countdown.
I like it when the guy driving can do whatever the car needs,from machining,porting heads,assm.engine,clutch,rear,chassis,down to driving the truck,there are'nt many of those guys anymore,like WJ,KJ,Gliddens,Big Daddy.etc.
I think thats one reason you don't see anybody dominating like you used to see,you have about one company doing the majority of pro stock heads, a few doing chassis,so I think that you miss out on that one guy doing something different and it happening to work way better than everyone else's stuff.
if you can dominate then countdown steals all that in the end anyway,what's next just give everyone a wally for showing up.
Mike Taylor 3601

[goinbroke2]

I agree the "car nation" is gone, most people drive a "grey" car or a "silver car", barely even know the brand. Cars are more appliances then anything else to most now.

Drag racing is like drugs, once your hooked you gotta do it and I think there will always be drag racing, but, cost is killing the huge programs. If your willing to pay to bracket race for trophy's or bragging rights or grudge race heads up then it will survive. Trouble is, most don't want it to be a "pay X amount to play" like golf or other sports, they want to win their money back.

Those happiest drag racing seem to be the ones who go for the friends and friendly competition.
I want to win as much as everybody else, but realistically, go knowing it will cost X amount to go to the track this weekend and I'm fine with that. If I get some back, GREAT!

The last two summer averaged about 7500km's towing the kids junior, he got 6th place both years and zero $$ back. Does it matter? Not at all, I plan on spending money for him and I for the experience.

The pro's? Yeah, they got issues as they're doing it for a paycheck. It's a free market so they too have to adapt/overcome or go out of business...and then get bailed out by the left. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Every other industry adapts to keep current, racing is no different.

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

He didn't lose his edge so much as he lost all his backing. That tends to stop the wins and the development in a class that costs as much as Pro Stock does.

Unfortunately, he may be right. This country is not the "car loving" society/nation it once was, there are not even that many real "car people" in the OE automotive businesses. The economy is not great, and will not be for a while, if not a long while. NHRA has been trying to strangle all of the geese laying the golden eggs for a while.

I'm not saying it's time to pack it in. I am saying that we've seen far better days, and will not see them again without changes. And the changes are not likely so long as some of the people now in power remain there.

Our current administration says we are on the road to recovery Alan.. We all must be lost because I cant find that road...

[Carguy49]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

In the interview of Warren Johnson Saturday at Pomona, he stated he thought the sport was in it's waining days! The only real reason he gave was cost to race. 2.5 to 3 million per year for Pro Stock. What are your thoughts on his statement? Jim


.

The cost is ridiculous. Pro Stock has advanced to the point of not being interesting anymore. What part of the car is "stock" anymore. They look more like Pro Mod cars with carburetors. We need to roll back the clocks a few years and make the cars look more like production vehicles.
Same goes for Funny Car. I know that is a little off subject, but it's just how I feel. Just so you know, many of my friends feel the same way. And yes, we are all over 60.

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Originally Posted by Barry Polley

Our current administration says we are on the road to recovery Alan.. We all must be lost because I cant find that road...

Who said," We're hopelessly lost, but we're making good time?"They must know something we don't.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

CARGUY49,
I agree with you and I'm only 46
Mike Taylor 3601

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Cost of competing was not the only reason Warren gave for "drag racing being in it's waning days" He also commented on all the empty seats in the stands. I'm sure the NHRA didn't want to hear that on the air. But unlike all the other butt sucking pros, he had the b-lls to say it on air.

My wife commented on that just before Warren's interview. And Pomona is not in the boondocks. It is in the center of what was once considered the center of the car culture.

[chris ok]

On a better note.

Ricky Jones winning the race, fantastic finish. Very happy for them and their independent team.

Antron and Shawn Cowie winning the Mike Aillo sportsmanship awards.

I just read these stories on competionplus.com. I have to thank that site for 2 stories to remind why drag racing is the best motorsport, no, best sport in the world.

Great final rounds all around.I look forward to the sportsman show next week.

I hope NHRA rethinks this whole racing thing. Our country needs it. It is a true team sport of not just muscle. You need to know Math and Science.

Chris