Can NHRA survive without John Force ?

JWhalen58 · 07-04-2020, 08:09 AM

Short answer is no. I have said for years that when the big 3 are out of fuel racing that would be the end of the class as we know it, and for all intents and purposes NHRA. The suits in Ca cannot see past the pro show at their events, that is until they start counting the money on a Monday and realize they are way short, and it will be because of no sportsman entry's. I don't watch any televised shows, dumped my sat tv several years ago. But if I do see something on or pick up a Natl Dragster there seems to always be an article on some member of the Force camp and rightly so they are the most well known. When Bill Bader backed out early on this year I made a comment that something is going on because the Bader's are the best promoters and are wired in. Only the opinion of a lowly sportsman racer.

DRAKE VISCOME · 07-04-2020, 08:57 AM

: I did have some direct telephone conversation with a old pal @ John Force's shop yesterday...he clearly stated that NO formal announcement had been made or as far as he "knew" was pending...about pulling the plug (of course it is 2020...for sure ANYTHING seems possible !)...yikes...maybe before we all get too far along with SPECULATION...rest ez my brothers/sisters !!! lol...it'll ALL work out...just the way it's supposed to...ALWAYS does...imagine that

Maverick · 07-04-2020, 09:48 AM

None of the Force cars show they are entered for the next two pro races at Indy, as well as Steve Torrence cars, and Salinas entries. I think NHRA will survive, I don't know if Force will, a lot of overhead cost

Marc White · 07-04-2020, 11:10 AM

From what I’ve heard Salinas plans on running two races this year. Pretty strong rumor that the Capco boys will sit it out as well. Not looking good at all.

jmcarter · 07-04-2020, 11:37 AM

The Capco bunch is tied to the oil business and we know how that’s going. All the PRO sponsors must be under a lot of pressure to trim budgets wherever possible and obviously they’re not getting much exposure right now, or guarantees they will for the rest of the year. However tough Bill Bader’s decision was it may prove a harbinger for other businesses associated with the sport.

kansas stocker · 07-04-2020, 02:57 PM

Looks like NHRA is doing their best to fill the fields for Fox. Couple of old drivers coming back for a 2 race series and several others that I've never heard of, but that doesn't mean much since I don't follow TF. I notice that a couple of chassis, or is that chassii, are 21 years old. Back to the original question, I think the answer is no in its present form. Take Don S out as well and TF and FC are dead. Way too much money invested for the return. If they are going to keep the pro part alive lots of changes will have to be made. Stock and SS will remain alive if they want it to. Couple of tech men and it can be run at tracks all across the country.
Just my $.02/
Pete

House of Darts · 07-04-2020, 03:53 PM

This might be what's necessary to reset all of drag racing.

PozQB14 · 07-04-2020, 03:57 PM

All rumors so far but if Force and the Torrence family did sit out, it opens the door for new sponsorship opportunities to come about. How many companies chose not to sponsor a team knowing the Force and Torrence families gets the majority of the air time and it would be a struggle to get any TV time from Fox.

farmco r/sa · 07-05-2020, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick

None of the Force cars show they are entered for the next two pro races at Indy, as well as Steve Torrence cars, and Salinas entries. I think NHRA will survive, I don't know if Force will, a lot of overhead cost

I see Force cars entered for Denver. Of course doesn't mean they neccesarily will be there.

Ron Ortiz · 07-05-2020, 11:29 AM

And as a side note concerning the future, over the holiday week there were a couple of big dollar bracket races going on. California Bash and SFG 1.1 Million in Martin Michigan. Think there was 630 entries for SFG.
Was there a mention of lowering Stock entries allowed at a National event?
Can NHRA survive without JFR or DSR..

Ron Ortiz
U/SA I are good at counting.

07-04-2020, 08:09 AM	#1
JWhalen58 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 110 Likes: 7 Liked 117 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? Short answer is no. I have said for years that when the big 3 are out of fuel racing that would be the end of the class as we know it, and for all intents and purposes NHRA. The suits in Ca cannot see past the pro show at their events, that is until they start counting the money on a Monday and realize they are way short, and it will be because of no sportsman entry's. I don't watch any televised shows, dumped my sat tv several years ago. But if I do see something on or pick up a Natl Dragster there seems to always be an article on some member of the Force camp and rightly so they are the most well known. When Bill Bader backed out early on this year I made a comment that something is going on because the Bader's are the best promoters and are wired in. Only the opinion of a lowly sportsman racer.

07-04-2020, 08:57 AM	#2
DRAKE VISCOME Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 277 Likes: 205 Liked 92 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? : I did have some direct telephone conversation with a old pal @ John Force's shop yesterday...he clearly stated that NO formal announcement had been made or as far as he "knew" was pending...about pulling the plug (of course it is 2020...for sure ANYTHING seems possible !)...yikes...maybe before we all get too far along with SPECULATION...rest ez my brothers/sisters !!! lol...it'll ALL work out...just the way it's supposed to...ALWAYS does...imagine that

07-04-2020, 09:48 AM	#3
Maverick Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 299 Likes: 2 Liked 36 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? None of the Force cars show they are entered for the next two pro races at Indy, as well as Steve Torrence cars, and Salinas entries. I think NHRA will survive, I don't know if Force will, a lot of overhead cost

07-04-2020, 11:10 AM	#4
Marc White Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 33 Likes: 8 Liked 29 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? From what I’ve heard Salinas plans on running two races this year. Pretty strong rumor that the Capco boys will sit it out as well. Not looking good at all.

07-04-2020, 11:37 AM	#5
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,293 Likes: 2,364 Liked 3,165 Times in 969 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? The Capco bunch is tied to the oil business and we know how that’s going. All the PRO sponsors must be under a lot of pressure to trim budgets wherever possible and obviously they’re not getting much exposure right now, or guarantees they will for the rest of the year. However tough Bill Bader’s decision was it may prove a harbinger for other businesses associated with the sport. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

07-04-2020, 02:57 PM	#6
kansas stocker Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: kansas Posts: 235 Likes: 494 Liked 249 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? Looks like NHRA is doing their best to fill the fields for Fox. Couple of old drivers coming back for a 2 race series and several others that I've never heard of, but that doesn't mean much since I don't follow TF. I notice that a couple of chassis, or is that chassii, are 21 years old. Back to the original question, I think the answer is no in its present form. Take Don S out as well and TF and FC are dead. Way too much money invested for the return. If they are going to keep the pro part alive lots of changes will have to be made. Stock and SS will remain alive if they want it to. Couple of tech men and it can be run at tracks all across the country. Just my $.02/ Pete

07-04-2020, 03:53 PM	#7
House of Darts Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 346 Likes: 19 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? This might be what's necessary to reset all of drag racing.

07-04-2020, 03:57 PM	#8
PozQB14 Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Youngsville, NC Posts: 129 Likes: 24 Liked 42 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? All rumors so far but if Force and the Torrence family did sit out, it opens the door for new sponsorship opportunities to come about. How many companies chose not to sponsor a team knowing the Force and Torrence families gets the majority of the air time and it would be a struggle to get any TV time from Fox.

07-05-2020, 11:29 AM	#10
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 315 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Can NHRA survive without John Force ? And as a side note concerning the future, over the holiday week there were a couple of big dollar bracket races going on. California Bash and SFG 1.1 Million in Martin Michigan. Think there was 630 entries for SFG. Was there a mention of lowering Stock entries allowed at a National event? Can NHRA survive without JFR or DSR.. Ron Ortiz U/SA I are good at counting. __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK