NHRA & ESPN must HATE sportsmen.

[sst1988]

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when ESPN covered IHRA drag racing and Bret Kepner did the sportsman interviews . They showed the last 2 or 3 rounds of eliminations with us . I was lucky enough to win hot rod class in 91 at New York International Raceway and was interviewed by Bret after i won . This was aired on ESPN. I still have a copy of that whole show/. Them was the good ole days . All the other sportsman had the same coverage that race and that whole year .Maybe Bret could get someone's interest in this again.

Yes i remember could not wait to watch the next show......

[Hokes Racing]

I went and paid 1500 for my Direct tv just to watch those wish they still had them

[sst1988]

I don't even watch the "pros" anymore.......

[RPinoski1]

You guys are missing it. The whole TV deal is set up for the PRO Racers Org and NHRA. The TV time is for the big sponsors that bring the cash to the table. Official toilet paper supplier to the NHRA, now you are on TV. I dont think Pro Bike is even a part of PRO either.
Ask the pro stockers that have the "in-car cameras" how much they pay for those cameras to be in their cars. Notice the NAPA /Capps interviews during the minimal pro stock tv coverage. No big sponsors so you only get half screen view during elims!

Wonder what happened to PS Truck? Think about the TV time the baddest class was taking from Kenny Bernstien and BUD on Saturdays qualifing shows.
Thats why the sportsman get so little time. No ticket no laundry.

The PAY PER VIEWS were to soon for their time, you had to have dish or direct to get them which was a small subscriber base. Again they take away from PRO and their sponsors getting the value for their advertising money....

On another note, anyone notice that the majority of sportsman photos in Dragster are of cars that have the drivers names on them rather than a sponsors name? If there is a sponsors name the angle is so that they are hard to read. The high profile dragster sponsors seem to have more exposure as well. K&N Valvoline Lucas etc...

Just my ramblings....I believe its about the money period.........How else does the "Board" make so much money? Its not membership or race entries.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when ESPN covered IHRA drag racing and Bret Kepner did the sportsman interviews . They showed the last 2 or 3 rounds of eliminations with us . I was lucky enough to win hot rod class in 91 at New York International Raceway and was interviewed by Bret after i won . This was aired on ESPN. I still have a copy of that whole show/. Them was the good ole days . All the other sportsman had the same coverage that race and that whole year .Maybe Bret could get someone's interest in this again.

Yeah Danny, I do because that's how I saw a likeness to my car (albeit the original burgundy red in color), in the finals of an '86 national event...I will forever hate that I taped over that race, since I ruined my chance at possibly getting my car to the finals of the Mile High's 20yrs later.

Bret was one of us whether behind the microphone, or when he was/is racing his own stocker...THANKS BRET!!!