So, what will happen in the long run to NHRA sportsmen racers? I'm wondering if NHRA just runs Pro shows, would they still want to be in the business of sanctioning drag strips? If not, would IHRA pick up the sportsmen tracks around the country? What possibility of a sportsmen-only series would there be, perhaps something like the NHRA & IHRA divisional series of today?

Also, I wonder what classes the NHRA Pro series will run? Would they add Pro Mod and maybe 800" Pro Stocks (just cuz they're quicker and faster than the NHRA classes). What about T/AD and TA/FC? Should be interesting in the next few months.

Cliff Morgan
Phoenix, AZ

 

I truly love and respect your candor and honesty. Keep up the great work

George Ramos
Hacienda Heights, CA

Just wondering...why hasn't some smart Pro Stock owner made a run at Dale Earnhardt Jr? Just think of the press that NHRA racing would receive it Jr ended up in Pro Stock. Plus, Bud could save a few bucks as well.

Rick Denman
Batavia, OH

One simple answer: drag racing can’t afford him. The winner’s purse from a NASCAR race is larger than the entire pro field at NHRA.

Yah Hoooo.... And now the fun begins!! After following our hallowed sport for 43 or so years this should be really exciting. Oh well, I was getting more and more interested in nostalgia racing anyway.

Maybe this will be good, maybe not. All sorts of things happen when the board of directors meet and the bottom line is spelled, NET PROFIT! Only time will tell. Let the band play on...

Michael Kohn
Milwaukee, WI

 

After losing Dallas International Raceway the NHRA developed a policy to purchase tracks in large media markets. This was a feasible plan since NHRA is a Not-for-Profit organization and would not be influenced by skyrocketing land prices due to encroaching development. Now, with a profit-based company owning these properties, what safeguard do these tracks now have?

Timing is everything, and those at the reins of NHRA are very aware that with this latest move they can wash their hands of the lawsuit against them at the same time removing the negative images that their over paid executives of a not-for-profit organization receive. No longer will they have to disclose their income and limit their salaries to just six figures. As the late Steve Evans would always say "You don't just get a patch, a pin, NHRA members sticker, a rule book, 48 issues of National Dragster and SO MUCH MORE".

Answer me this, Jeff. How can a board or anyone else at NHRA sell anything that they don't own? The profit of such a sale can only be applied to the expenses of NHRA, there is no intent or mention that any of the proceeds will do anything to help the members/racers that have supported this organization throughout the years. Apparently they weren't satisfied with large six figure salaries and they figured out how to claim ownership of something that they never bought. They would consider this business deal when proposed by Billy Meyers twenty years ago and refused to hear any of Bruton Smith's offers. What if HD Partners Acquisition Corp. was just doing the legwork for a future sale? They are in the business to make money after all and not in this for the welfare of drag racing. They could sell the racing portion and name rights to Bruton Smith saving all the hassles he would have encountered and still sell out the track properties to land developers doubling their original investment. Remember they are in the business to make money not to put on races.

The more I read about this the madder I get.

Regards,

Meredith Jones
S/C, S/Pro 4646, Stock 4650
Plano, TX

 

Burk, the asset sale of NHRA brings back amazing memories. Remember the last race before this year that John Force did not qualify? That was the same weeekend that Billy Meyer and I met in the NHRA Board Room to propose a plan to separate the Professional from the traditional NHRA.

Almost 20 years hence, it becomes a reality.

Groundhog Day.

Glenn Menard
Decatur, GA

© 1999-2008, Drag Racing Online and RacingNetSource