Sad that this is happening

[nhramnl]

It does appear to be the end of an era, but I don't know if it's what I would call sad. Lots of things have come and gone in drag racing, and the sport just moved on. I don't think anyone would disagree that Pro Stock has lost its way, but I think the sport in general has become far less relevant to the average young American man or woman that it used to be. What's been lost is the history of drag racing, and from that, the ability to put the sport in context. None of the young people participating today have much of a sense of where the sport came from, so it exists in the present, rather than having any historical foundation. The average 60 year old vividly remembers the beginning years of Pro Stock, and that memory "connects" today to the past. When a Pro Stock race takes place today, the 60 year old is unconsciously thinking "Oh man, I remember when Grumpy raced Ronnie Sox, and this is still a lot like that", where the young person of today just sees two Pro Stock/Pro Mod/Top Sportsman/Everything Looks the Same cars fly down the track, oftentimes driven by young people who never actually even work on the car. In the hero days of Pro Stock, it was man against man, hero against hero, because each car literally represented the brains, creativity, hard work and driving skill of the owner. Those days are gone, never to return, and the guys that miss them most are the guys who remember how incredible Pro Stock was.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by nhramnl

It does appear to be the end of an era, but I don't know if it's what I would call sad. Lots of things have come and gone in drag racing, and the sport just moved on. I don't think anyone would disagree that Pro Stock has lost its way, but I think the sport in general has become far less relevant to the average young American man or woman that it used to be. What's been lost is the history of drag racing, and from that, the ability to put the sport in context. None of the young people participating today have much of a sense of where the sport came from, so it exists in the present, rather than having any historical foundation. The average 60 year old vividly remembers the beginning years of Pro Stock, and that memory "connects" today to the past. When a Pro Stock race takes place today, the 60 year old is unconsciously thinking "Oh man, I remember when Grumpy raced Ronnie Sox, and this is still a lot like that", where the young person of today just sees two Pro Stock/Pro Mod/Top Sportsman/Everything Looks the Same cars fly down the track, oftentimes driven by young people who never actually even work on the car. In the hero days of Pro Stock, it was man against man, hero against hero, because each car literally represented the brains, creativity, hard work and driving skill of the owner. Those days are gone, never to return, and the guys that miss them most are the guys who remember how incredible Pro Stock was.

This is a great post....Thank you !

[Myron Piatek]

X2 Sad, but accurate.

[Tim H]

Pro Stock used to be my favourite class, especially back in the the early to mid 1980's. The glory days of Reher-Morrison-Shepherd, Iaconio, Glidden, WJ. There seemed to be more personality involved, I guess you could say that about the other Pro classes as well. Personally I loved the dry hops, hood scoops and carbs, but the sport must evolve.
Now my favourite class is stock eliminator,like many I grew up with these 1960-1990's cars roaming the streets.They are cars I can relate to and dream of owning one day. I will be sad if P/S ceases to exist.

[Bob Don]

You may see FS in some form or another take the place of Pro Stock. You already have the big 3 involved and big name drivers competing.

[Randall Klein]

What I find encouraging is that Drew Skillman finds "value" in staying involved esp with S/SS, after being at the supposed "pinnacle"

Butner, Jeg, have roots in S/SS and with FS growing it seems to me as if our universe is expanding which can't hurt.

To me....as classes get away from wheelstands, be it COMP, HEMI SHOOTOUT CARS, Pro Stock etc.....the repeated sameness looses fan appeal

Someone somewhere posed the concept of no wheelie bars.....hmmmmm

Cannot forget that the trickle down affect of PRO STOCK ENGINE DEVELOPMENT is found in all the new FS cars as well as Comp, Superstock, Stock and every other class. I for one do not want to see that go anywhere. So they loose some names in PS..... Not the end of the class and hate to see the talent leave but hopefully they can be replaced.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Bob Don

You may see FS in some form or another take the place of Pro Stock. You already have the big 3 involved and big name drivers competing.

I've been saying this since the factory stock cars hit the track. Next year will be the end of Pro Stock and the NHRA will reboot for 2020, the 50th anniversary of the class.

[John Kissel]

I think the 1st P/S show I saw was the Summernationals at York U.S.30 in July 1970.I was working alot and just didn't have much time to get to the track. That was impressive to see all of the cars and crews I had read about, and I learned the quick way to change gears in a Dana 60 from watching the Sox&Martin crew. Not much longer than it took to change slicks.Next impressive show was at a wed. night P/S at e-town after the Summernats. and the sound of Butch Leals' 16 plug beast crossing the finish line as he won, I will never forget.Hope someone can straighten this mess out. John Kissel K242

[gsa612]

Originally Posted by nhramnl

It does appear to be the end of an era, but I don't know if it's what I would call sad. Lots of things have come and gone in drag racing, and the sport just moved on. I don't think anyone would disagree that Pro Stock has lost its way, but I think the sport in general has become far less relevant to the average young American man or woman that it used to be. What's been lost is the history of drag racing, and from that, the ability to put the sport in context. None of the young people participating today have much of a sense of where the sport came from, so it exists in the present, rather than having any historical foundation. The average 60 year old vividly remembers the beginning years of Pro Stock, and that memory "connects" today to the past. When a Pro Stock race takes place today, the 60 year old is unconsciously thinking "Oh man, I remember when Grumpy raced Ronnie Sox, and this is still a lot like that", where the young person of today just sees two Pro Stock/Pro Mod/Top Sportsman/Everything Looks the Same cars fly down the track, oftentimes driven by young people who never actually even work on the car. In the hero days of Pro Stock, it was man against man, hero against hero, because each car literally represented the brains, creativity, hard work and driving skill of the owner. Those days are gone, never to return, and the guys that miss them most are the guys who remember how incredible Pro Stock was.

Agree 100%... gsa612 (a 62 yr.old guy).