PHILOSOPHIZING ON NHRA
I read (Glen Grissom's) article on DRO about the NHRA fading away. I think some of your points are very valid, while others are a bit pessimistic. I was a close follower of NASCAR from the mid-90's through the early 2000's, but have been a lifelong follower of the NHRA (although a casual follower during different periods over the past 35 years).
Looking back on the time that I followed NASCAR closely, I can't really figure out why I was intently interested in it. The cars are certainly not what draws the crowds since each car is so similar to the others in efforts to equalized wind resistance and power levels that variety is not an issue. The racing is fairly predictable baring parts failure or bad luck, with the same competitors racing for the win each Sunday. A dozen or so drivers garner most of the spotlight and exposure while the remainder of the field is little more than filler, and while high speed oval racing does have some intriguing aspects, three hours of it seems a bit much. Yet, millions of people follow the sport to some extent. I don't know why so many people find it so fascinating.
The NHRA has experienced growth since its inception, and although its growth has been modest in relation to NASCAR, it has none-the-less grown. I don't know why NHRA drag racing is not as popular as NASCAR. To me, it seems it should be more popular than NASCAR; it is far more grass roots oriented than any other form of motor sports. After all, drag racing is a sport that can be participated in by anyone with a valid drivers license. And, like young children who play baseball in grade school grow up to follow major league baseball, it seems the high school kid who enjoys running his V6 Mustang down the quarter mile in 17 seconds would in turn follow John Force as he fields his 8,000 horsepower 4-second Funny Car.
But, we know that is not necessarily the case. Why is there a disconnect? Where does the NHRA fail to connect with the high school kid with the Mustang, or the man or woman who purchases a new performance car? Who is the person who buys the new Mustang GT, or the new GTO, or the proposed Dodge Challenger, or even the new 4-door Dodge Charger R/T? Are these people NASCAR fans? Are there performance car enthusiasts who don't
connect to any form of motor sports? Because, if a person is into cars, and if variety is the spice, well, an NHRA national event definitely delivers a full flavored bonanza with its wonderful fields of Sportsman doorslammers, dragsters, Pro Stock cars, and fuel cars.
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Vintage muscle cars are the rage, and are commanding astronomical prices; even people who have no clue about cars know this. A person completely ignorant about cars can see an old car that is in nice condition and they know it is valuable. Why aren't NHRAsportsman events with 8-second Hemi cars or any of the wheelstanding muscle cars bringing in tens of thousands of fans to view these displays of legendary Detroit horsepower? Why are there no spectators watching 8-second wheelstanding Hemi Barracudas?
Sportsman cars are by far my favorites. My first car was a 1968 Hurst/Olds that I bought in 1975 at the age of 18. Since that time I have owned many performance cars and my love for these cars has never dimmed. When I go to divisional events and see a couple thousand (maybe) spectators in the stands I can only ask myself how this can be? People love these cars, but no one is here. When I stroll through the pits and a Super Stock car rumbles past with its open headers and radical camshaft making music that gives me visceral thrills and raises goose bumps up and down my arms. I wonder why no one is experiencing this? How can you not love this? At an event, people can see them up close, smell them, hear sounds that never can be transmitted through television, feel the vibration in the ground and air, talk to drivers and crew. Where are all the damned people, and why aren't they here?
I agree that the Funny Cars are the top draw for a national event. I would love to see 32-car Funny Car fields at every event; I would love to see 32-car Pro Stock fields at each event (with a minimum wheelie bar height, see wheelstanding SS/AA 'Cudas). I agree that the NHRA does not do a good job at locating, targeting, and drawing an audience. There is too much that is too good not to have many millions of dedicated fans nation wide. The United States has a huge car culture. The NHRA needs to find a way to tap into that population.
Thanks for your article, and for reading my reply.
Steve Curry
Goodyear, Arizona
