More Wondering
in May

Just Wondering... Is there any proof or indication that today’s drag racing fans actually care if the pro categories have full fields or not or how many teams there are on race day in any of the pro classes? I believe that fans really want the qualifying sessions to be more than a de facto test session for the pro classes for a $45 and up ticket on Friday and Saturday.

Just Wondering... Why not qualify eight cars in the NHRA pro classes? Getting enough entries for a full 16-car field in the pro ranks is getting harder. NHRA now has its own version of the start and park program NASCAR was plagued with until it reduced the size of its starting field. It would make it easier and less expensive on the teams, fans, and everyone else if there were just three rounds on Sunday instead of four. At the same time, to actually keep nitro and Pro Stock teams in business NHRA could pay the 9-16 non-qualifiers the $10,000 they now pay the first round losers and first round championship points. One thing is a fact: short pro fields does more harm to NHRA’s image than smaller fields.

Just Wondering... Am I the only one that believes the NHRA management’s decision to quit awarding Championship  points for new speed or ET records is just another attempt to slow down their nitro classes without actually making rules that would absolutely do it? The opportunity for fans to see the first 200-mph dragster or doorslammer, first 5-second Top Fueler, first 6-second Pro Stock et al. has been what has driven the popularity of drag racing for fans and the media for years.

Just Wondering... What has the decision to shorten the track length for nitro classes actually accomplished? All that shortening the race distance (a decision this magazine enthusiastically supported at the time) has done is to alienate reportedly 10-12 percent of the NHRA’s fans and show that the NHRA is really concerned about some of their National Event tracks not having enough shut-off distance to be safe, but don’t have the courage to actually make rules that will slow down their nitro cars.

Just Wondering... Do the suits at the NHRA understand that the sport of drag racing -- like baseball, basketball and football -- is a sport of stats and individual performance? Speed and ET records and quarter-mile racing have had major attraction to fans and sponsors in the sport for more than 60 years.

Just Wondering... Has IRGSE major domo Chris Lencheski and or IHRA prez Mike Dunn sat down with Force, Kalitta, or Schumacher or any of the NHRA regulars to see if they have any interest, money or personnel to add races to their schedule with another sanctioning body or series?

Just Wondering... When will the IHRA and NHRA management teams realize that “small tire” racing is the racing and cars the current generation of fans, racers and sponsors are interested in? Small ire racing  is the only segment of drag racing that has a growing fan base and participants.

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