He’s back writing and he’s wondering some more

Just Wondering… Is drag racing leading the financial recovery for the motorsports industry? Based on what many manufacturers and track operators are telling me, the business of drag racing is better than it has been in five years. I think there is more and better drag racing right now than at any time in the sport’s history. The only problem some series have is that the drag racing they grew up with and loved isn’t the same drag racing that many of today’s fans and enthusiasts want to do or watch and the people running a series or sanctioning body can’t or won’t adjust their package to meet the times.    

Just Wondering… Could the fact that in addition to the traditional professional classes of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock the race at Houston also offered their fans the bonus of seeing both the Nitro Harley and Pro Modified professional classes have anything to do with the “full house”? I say absolutely! And it didn’t hurt that kids 13 and under got in free. Track operator Seth Angel told me the race had 2500 kids under 13 at the race. Now that is an investment in the future.

Just Wondering… What those 2500 kids liked or didn’t like about the NHRA race at Houston. Why doesn’t the NHRA or its track operator/partners require every kid 13 and under “pay” for their free pass by filling out a survey about drag racing?

Just Wondering… Wouldn’t it be cool if NHRA president Tom Compton, IHRA prez Scott Gardner, and NMCA’s Steve Wolcott all met during the off-season for dinner and some off-the-record conversation?

Just Wondering… Remember when NASCAR was actually selling out tracks with 100,000+ seats at tracks like Bristol? Even after taking seats out at some of their bigger tracks that isn’t happening anymore in NASCAR.

Just Wondering… Why won’t the NHRA change their gas-burning Pro Stock Motorcycle class to a nitro-injected class? I’m guessing that the cost of building and racing a competitive injected nitro motorcycle doesn’t exceed the cost of building, racing, and maintaining a front running NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Just Wondering… Since the NHRA is officially a not-for-profit company you would have to acknowledge that Tom Compton and his crew are doing the job they are tasked with. The NHRA has been hovering near or below the profit line for many years, at least according to their income tax returns. (Of course, they aren’t alone.)

Just Wondering … Why does the Bruton Smith organization continue to hold two NHRA national events a year at Las Vegas and Charlotte when they have trouble filling the stands? Why does the NHRA hold two races a year at Pomona and just one a year at Indianapolis? It’s not like the U.S. Nationals is any more unique to the fans than the Winternationals and World Finals at Pomona.

Just Wondering… Why NHRA prez Tom Compton doesn’t get more credit for keeping the NHRA Pro Mod program alive? I believe that if it weren’t for his continuing support and behind-the-scenes efforts that class would have long ago gone the way of Pro Stock Truck.