Can NHRA survive without John Force ?

[MR DERBY CITY]

Word on the street is that John Force racing has laid off all employees and has pulled the plug on the 2020 season....If this is true it could really affect NHRA s attempt to restart the season ....

[JWhalen58]

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]

: 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]

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]

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]

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.

[farmco r/sa]

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]

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.

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by farmco r/sa

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

The Force cars are entered in lots of races, just not the two Indy races.

[TommyPettigrew3076]

I am a firm believer things need to evolve to live and prosper I also believe there is a limit . The class at least in my lifetime that I was old enough to understand the sport has been out of hand since the early 90's car counts kept going down too much money needed to run and even for some people most would consider wealthy out of reach . Its d impossible for an " average " person to compete in fuel or Prostock for that matter and that is an issue. Indy car and even though it is relative Formula 1 put the brakes on development and rules. I think it is very irresponsible as a sanctioning body to ignore the cost to run a class and see the signs that a hand full of people are keeping it alive and depending on that . Any ideas will surely fall on deaf ears until someone or some of us in the trenches somehow make it into the the NHRA corporate food chain and make a difference. Garlits has spoken on this matter many times saying he would have a car out there right now but he's not going to blow up his stuff every round to be at the front of the pack considering what it cost and the return . He would go race after race never changing a motor at times not even changing pistons or heads . Yeah I know I know that was then and this is now but isn't now the time to put rules in effect to lower the cost to up the car count so someone that MIGHT be able to scrape up the cash to get a used car and some parts and a few volunteers and go racing maybe not set the world on fire but be out there be seen and help the class and the sport. 1000 foot racing sucks , none of us can even relate to what it cost to run one drivers are picked by sponsors more or less . I think most of us at one time were drawn to NHRA racing because of the fuel cars and hoping one day to pilot one but to be honest competing in stock there have been national events I have raced at and never watched a fuel car go down the track . Maybe its because now being able to compete at an event and dreaming about it as a kid its different for me now . In my opinion when more semis than truck and trailers are parked for a class its time to start pulling in the reigns on them and review the cost of the class and who is actually competing and flipping the bill . Man to think it wasn't too long ago or so it seems that a couple or three guys with some decent jobs could put together a fuel dragster and make it pay for itself and maybe win a little money but I was born to late to see that and its sad that me or any younger people ever will . Just like the Radial tire stuff you can race for $10,000 to $25000 all day for less than what we pay to run stock or super stock at a national event.