Glad you asked that question. I quit going to NHRA’s national events when I realized they weren’t that much fun or important anymore. I’ve been going to drag races since 1962 and have been to many NHRA, AHRA and IHRA national events. IHRA’s complete Pro show, and events like it, fit inside the window that the stick and ball professional sports teams have determined is the ideal length of time the typical spectator wants the event to last. The NBA, NFL, MLB, and others know that the fans really like a 3-4 hour exciting show and will show up for it weekly. I fit that demographic.

Today’s NHRA show isn’t like that at all. NHRA’s national events are similar to the Olympics with the large number of classes, the very long days, the higher ticket prices and the large crowds to fight. The Olympics have many of the same issues as NHRA with their many classes of competition, but they make it bearable by allowing their customers to pick which events they want to watch and only pay for a ticket to those select events. If you love Olympic basketball and ice hockey, you only buy tickets for those events and you don’t have to watch ice dancing and the javelin throw to see it. I believe the large majority of those attending an NHRA national event come for the fire and thunder of the nitro classes.  Having them watch the Comp Class eliminations is the equivalent of making them watch Ice Dancing.

Another reason I don’t need a NHRA national event “fix” anymore is the proliferation of interesting classes at other events. The NMRA, NMCA, nostalgia races, small tire races, import races and others are providing an exciting, cheaper and easier to watch program for drag racing fans. I doubt many small tire and import class racers attend any NHRA national event unless it is in their back yard and they can score a one-day ticket free or cheaply. In the 1990’s I used to get six free tickets to the Gator’s every year and I couldn’t give more than a couple away to my drag racing buddies even if I drove.

There's a place for the Olympics of Drag Racing (and no, it's not in Illinois anymore). The Olympics is only contested every four years because people wouldn't attend it yearly. NHRA's Olympics are contested 24 times a year and now they just aren't that important anymore. After all, even an 8-year-old can win a Wally at his local 1/8th mile drag strip now.

Phil Trover

The fact is it’s just not that fun. It’s loud when they run but no throttle blips in the pits, etc. I got upset over the 1,000 ft. and never got over it. When NHRA they said it was temporary at Denver in 2008 they lied.

I’ve been to short track drag racing and the new NHRA corporate pits with the ropes up hospitality areas, etc. Gone are the Brute girls and a boys’ day out. It’s just not that big a deal anymore. It’s more fun going to Outlaw Fuel Altered, No Prep Street Outlaws. Today’s professional racers don’t seem like they are glad to see you.

With the match racing mentality, without the fans they went hungry. I’m hoping that someday the IHRA and NHRA can merge and we can go back to setting records and being the fastest baddest person on the planet in the class you race in.

Mark Suttle

This is a reasonably short (?) answer to your posted question. About 5 or 6 years ago I quit going to the NHRA’s fall race at the Texas Motorplex because it just wasn’t fun anymore due to the PC corporate influence that crept in. I was there the night of the first finals when Garlits taught Darrell a “driving lesson” and I never missed a race (IHRA or NHRA). I have pictures of my sons with John Force on his 50th birthday.

However, the cost of tickets (stupid expensive), you no longer could bring in a sack lunch or a bottle of water (you had to pay $4 for their water and $8 hamburgers). The absolute structure and money grab took spoiled it for me.

Now I go up to North Star in Denton, TX, and it’s like stepping back in time. It is so relaxed and fun and laid back like it used to be. It’s a shame that money has ruined it for us.

Thanks,

Rod VanDertuin