by Aaron Polburn

THE MOST IMPORTANT 30 DAYS

The next 30 days may be the most important 30 days in the last several decades as to the health of drag racing.  If NHRA or IHRA drag racing ever wanted to do whatever it takes to knock one out of the park, this is the time to circle the wagons and do what is necessary to fill the stands and present the shows of their lives.  Why, you ask?

Because the companies and possible partners that are looking at drag racing as a viable way to market their product or service are doing their pre-evaluation and they are asking the hard questions. Much harder than ever before.   Here are some questions I have tackled in my role as an advisor to several different companies that are doing their due diligence on why or why not to  get involved with the sport.

- How dangerous is it? Is it possible for a car or parts to get into the crowd?  What are the liability issues? (This obviously became the overwhelming issue after the Larry Dixon crash.)
- If Sunday is “race day”, how come the crowd is typically much less than Saturday’s? Don’t drag racing fans care who wins?
- If drag racing is touted as a family sport, where are they?
- If John Force is the most popular driver and the sport’s most iconic figure, why does he have to struggle to find proper funding?
- How do we break through the clutter of signage, inflatables, and messaging during a live performance?
- How financially stable are NHRA and IHRA? 
- What happens when the event is affected by inclement weather? Are there built-in discounts since the exposure levels would be far less than contractually agreed to?
- Is drag racing growing?

Here is the point. These are not new questions.  It’s just that they are coming at a more rapid pace because it has been a long time since our country has been in an economic upswing. People are watching. Very important people. Build the momentum now that will carry this sport to unprecedented levels a year from now. Do whatever it takes to become relevant. Don’t push the problems to the side; attack them.  Be transparent.  Good things will come to those who embrace this ideology. Bad things will come to those who continue with the SOS (same old sh*t). 

Drag racing is a good product.  You have 30 days to lay the foundation to making it a great product.

DID YOU EVER WONDER?

- Did you ever wonder how Burk gets so much writing on a napkin?  Shouldn’t it be a bed sheet?
- Did you ever wonder why the quality of his writing gets considerably better if the napkin comes from a place with margarita in its name?
- Did you ever wonder why there seems to be a lack of fans when you see coverage of Australian National Drag Racing?
- Did you ever wonder why racers typically buy most racetracks when they go on the block?
- Did you ever wonder why most tracks don’t invest in quality restrooms?
- Did you ever wonder why NHRA doesn’t build a venue and take a national event to Canada?

THE BEST LIST -- FOOD EDITION

The best breakfast in drag racing: Grand Bend Motorplex
The best burrito in drag racing: Edinburg
The best pulled pork in drag racing: Maryland
The best burger in drag racing: US-131
The best kettle corn in drag racing: Edmonton
The best hot dog in drag racing: doesn’t exist

GODSPEED… RACE SAFE.