"Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals

[Ken Miele]

Hey guys, the rain starting up again... it looks like it will be with us until the morning but who knows. More cars dropped out, NHRA said we could withdraw even though we are past the deadline.

As far as national event photos, NHRA has decide that Class Racer is not the proper media outlet for starting line access. I still have access to division races, but NHRA will not issue me media credentials at national events anymore. I thought it was a mistake, but the said forums do not meet their criteria. Class Racer has had media access for over 5 years, I guess they are not interested in promoting the sportsman racer. My monthly readership is 40,000 plus... with 2 million plus views a month, all targeted to the sportsman racer. I am perplexed that NHRA is not interested in getting free publicity to promote their sport.

Sorry for the rant, I just don't get how NHRA works anymore. They claimed we as sportsman are important... and I don't want to toot my own horn, but Class Racer has to be one of the largest media outlets for the sportsman racer.

I will still get photos from the stands and the pits, just not the starting line.

I few more shots form last weeks race...

[J.R. Haddad]

Ken, that seems to be a very poor decision on NHRA'S part. I would
like to think that it is a mistake, and upon further review, your credentials
would be reinstated. We are told we are an important part of NHRA, and
situations like this are hurtful to all. Is there a traffic jam of photographers
at the starting line when Stock/SS is running? Are you bumping elbows
with peers from USA Today, New York Times, Sports Illustrated, etc.?
Who are these people they are holding spaces for when we run?
Class Racer is THE place for NHRA Stock/SS, and a few more classes,
I hope this is poor communication and is quickly resolved with an apology,
and a Thank You for what you do for the sport.

J.R.

[Pistol Pete]

Ken
I speak for myself but I’m sure lots of racers will agree to this:

You do so much for the Sportsman racer with your “ Live From”
News, pictures, in car camera videos and I’m sure that’s not even
1/2 the things you do.

It’s a shame NHRA is treating you this way and your right, it doesn’t seem
like they care to promote any sportsmen classes.

I enjoy your big money s/ss races that you promote at Numidia and hope they
continue to happen.

[rognelson777]

Follow the money. who knows how or why but money somehow plays into you from being on startingline

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Hey guys, the rain starting up again... it looks like it will be with us until the morning but who knows. More cars dropped out, NHRA said we could withdraw even though we are past the deadline.

As far as national event photos, NHRA has decide that Class Racer is not the proper media outlet for starting line access. I still have access to division races, but NHRA will not issue me media credentials at national events anymore. I thought it was a mistake, but the said forums do not meet their criteria. Class Racer has had media access for over 5 years, I guess they are not interested in promoting the sportsman racer. My monthly readership is 40,000 plus... with 2 million plus views a month, all targeted to the sportsman racer. I am perplexed that NHRA is not interested in getting free publicity to promote their sport.

Sorry for the rant, I just don't get how NHRA works anymore. They claimed we as sportsman are important... and I don't want to toot my own horn, but Class Racer has to be one of the largest media outlets for the sportsman racer.

I will still get photos from the stands and the pits, just not the starting line.

I few more shots form last weeks race...

Hey Ken what exactly did they say ?

[Frank Castros]

In my humble opinion the National Hot Rod Association is one of the most mismanaged organizations on the planet. They are just clueless!

[Ken Miele]

Hey Glenn,

The first email said there is a limited amount of space for media. I said I don't need space in the media center, I just want to take photos of the sportsman. I'm only on the starting line short time. I emailed asking if this was a mistake. In the second email they told me I did not send prof of past coverages... no problem there, I sent them the races that we cover. The third email said, they don't give out media credentials to forums or message boards. NHRA media has always been good to me, they were always professional and easy to work with. I guess the rules have changed, but who knows.

Its there playground, and I have to deal with. Its just makes me wonder if a super forum like LS1tech.com with a million members would be turned down also. Forums reach so many people and the reach them instantly, its hard to understand there logic.

[dragracerray]

I wonder if an online petition might convince NHRA? Ken's viewership could create a huge petition. Ray

[butch8908]

Yo Ken,
That just doesn’t make sense to most all of us. They have their National Dragster photographers and Auto Imagery, which shows 3 employees in Glendale, Ca. And they are always there for the “show” but not always for sportsman. Hopefully they will rethink their decision, it’s not like you are selling them.
I’ll continue from the bleachers and posting here for all to see without any watermarks or copyright restrictions.
Good luck with the race and the weather.

[Ken Miele]

Hey guys, thanks for the support, it is what it is.

It looks like today will be a washout. We had to get at least 2 inches of rain last night. It stopped about 7am, but it started up just as they called Stock to the lanes. Its coming down pretty good now. I will update if anything changes. I do have some more photos and will post later.