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....for the second time this year NHRA could not fill the Pro Stock field ......... only 15 entries ............ only 17 entries in the other two Pro classes .............. I can remember when there were 25 or more Pro Stocks trying to get into the show .......... sadly, I believe this to be caused by "cubic money" philosophy of the NHRA :(:(
I don't doubt you're theory has an impact but, all motorsports is suffering from a lack of attendance and less sponsor support. Times are tough and it hasn't got any easier out there.
I think you're cubic money has been true since the first two "things" raced! The fella with the money will always be able to better support the desire to go faster. I know it's true in horse racing and dog racing, seen it first hand in drag racing and boat racing, even the hobbies (no matter which one) get overtaken by the dollar.
I just try to look past that and enjoy it for what it is. Those cubic dollars have accomplished a mighty lot over the years! And yes, I thoroughly enjoy the grass roots guy getting the win every once in awhile too!!:D
they are loosing spectators because of gate prices . the tms here is just ridiculous .
I agree with Shine--gate prices are too high for people to attend--those that do attend are tail gating in the parking areas probably because of high food prices------
Pit areas have turned into sponserfests-------hospitality trailers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denver, because of the high altitude, pro stocks can't add any more compression or blower boost, so power is way down and the cars performancance can't be adjusted to cope without lots of runs(dyno info here doesn't apply to all varibles of how long engine spends each rpm level on a run)
And---because its the highest altitude track and so hard to adjust to----if anyone isn't at the top of thhhheir game(sponserwise) this is the race to drop -----------
I remember when NHRA used to limit the number of entries to 65---double the 32 car field plus last years winner-----------And, it wasn't cubic money back then-------------
Racing has always been about the money, how fast can you afford to go? But, the rules in the Pro classes allow all the exotic pieces, so those with the $$$$ are going to run as much (and then a dash more) of the trick stuff the rules allow. So, if the car counts are down, too bad!!!! NHRA and the builders got exactly what they wanted!!!!
We used to go to Mile High for Divisional Meets---mainly because of the challenge of going fast at altitude. Beautiful facility and a great place to race.....But as Jerry mentioned a good race to skip if you don't have the $$$$$ to be competitive! (Ennis, Tx. is now the Divisional race to make.) BTW, if you think it's expensive to go to a race at TMS, check out what tickets for a Cowboys football game will cost you in Dallas!!!!
Want to see a 32 car Pro Stock, Top Fuel, or Funny Car field again? Then get NHRA to change the rules so more can afford to do it!!---good luck with that! In the meantime, how about spending a couple of Sunday's at your local drag strip and support the bracket racers and class racers that are still doing it because they love it!!!!
I'm going to be at Cordorva Ill for the World Series of Drag Racing middle of August---Nostalgie funny car race---Cruz Pedregon will be there with the tribute California Charger Firebird-I'm thinking of taking 100 lbs of Elburn national champion bratwursts and charcoal for a little reunion??????????anyone interested????????//
If they want me to get excited...
make Pro Stocks out of real cars, with manual transmissions...
Put the engines back out front in the diggers... (Those long slingshots epitomized drag racing!)
and make funny cars use the same engines as the body style!
AA/Gas and blown Altereds should also be raised to "Pro" status
I got hooked on drag racing in 1958. The last 10-20 years I have had a hard time staying interested. The only things that work are... cheering for the likable drivers, not for the multi-millionaire owners with over-inflated egos... and also the underdogs, who are trying to compete against that kind of competition.
One thing that really hurt my devotion was the "dream" that a couple guys who were talented enough could field a competitive pro car. No chance today.
It also doesn't help that it's hard to find a "billboard" paint scheme to get excited about. The cars used to be beautiful, with names that gave them a personality. One day soon we will be cheering for either the tampon sponsored car... the political party car... the animal charity car... or the laxative car!
Yes! As a matter of fact, I DO want to go back to the sixties!) {:-( The only thing I attend today is nostalgia events, and those often have booked-in cars, and don't usually feature much serious competition.
I think the day will come soon that I watch cash Cab, or Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader, instead of drag racing. It's actually very sad for me to see my favorite sport eroded away, and only a ghost of it's former self.
you will never see me spend any money on anything with a ball involved . i despise football with a passion and care nothing about the rest. if it aint loud and obnoxious i aint interested . but i draw the line at nascar. turning left only gets me excited at the local dirt track . now those guys i admire. at the drags i'm the friday night guy watching the poboy's tear it up !
What can I say?
Jerry, I know you blossomed in the sixties and seventies... AND had the beautiful cars (and FAST too) that I am talking about! :-)
Support your local drag racer (or become one)---the Pro's don't need your help!!!!! At least attend a Divisional points meet, the passion is still there!!!!
If nothing else support the track so drag racing doesn't die off! It IS all about the money in this case.
it is the same way with nascar. I can spend at least 10 nights at the local dirt track for what it would cost me to watch one race at Kansas City.
As usual, some excellent elimination rounds at Bandemeire, and all 3 Pro classes final rounds went off great!!!! Don't know if anyone will ever beat Alan Johnson out there in Pro Stock!!! Then Cruz came blasting through for a win in Funnies, and "the other" Schumacher car in Top Fuel!!!! Western swing might really change the points races if this was a sign of what's to come in the next two races!!!!!!
Thanks for the update! I woke up to the local news.... Oh well,
Some great final rounds!!!! Pro Stock came down to 2 MoPars in the final, just like last year!!!! Always good when you can win your sponsor's race and Alan Johnson has done just that for 5 of the last 7 years!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by 34_40
Oh yeah... just keep rubbing it in! rofl..Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Did you notice how much they had moved around the shape of the nose on Greg Anderson's car---was really visable during the qualifyiny telecast, not so much on the race-------------
Quote:
I'm going to be at Cordorva Ill for the World Series of Drag Racing middle of August---Nostalgie funny car race---Cruz Pedregon will be there with the tribute California Charger Firebird-I'm thinking of taking 100 lbs of Elburn national champion bratwursts and charcoal for a little reunion??????????anyone interested????????//
I hope we run into you Jerry. Jeff & I will be there with Jeff's car. We're holding the Draglist Nationals (8th year) at the WS, although it's going to be a small group this year.
I went by your house Saturday afternoon Gary----we come to CC because the gas prices are lower there--------
We were in Iowa until about 5pm Sunday. We filled up for $3.41 a gal. in Clear Lake.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerry clayton
Jerry when is it? I might be able to make a trip over there to watch and BS.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerry clayton
The weekend of August 24th. We plan to get there sometime Thursday to get a pit spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe
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I'll have to see what's going on. Maybe I can con the wife into going, or letting me go. :LOL:
Ryan, if you make it, look us up. Easier said than done I know, it's a big place.
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