Let's talk about the NHRA, let's talk about drag racing...

Status
Not open for further replies.

Kwik_Cutty88

Royal Smart Person
Nov 22, 2011
1,173
662
113
Coastal North Carolina
Let me preface this by just telling a little bit about myself. I am 21 years old, I grew up going to Maple Grove, New England Dragway. Since my family moved south, I frequent zMax Dragway, Mooresville Dragway, and North Myrtle Beach Dragway. I love drag racing. I love all forms of motorsports, but I always find myself going back to drag racing. This isn't meant to be a "stir the pot" kind of thread. Or a "here's how to fix the NHRA" or "here's what's wrong with the NHRA." I simply want to hear your opinion on drag racing, or the NHRA in general. Do you still enjoy it? What do you like/dislike about NHRA and drag racing? In short, I just want to talk drag racing!

It seems all the talk is about the strip at Las Vegas being converted into a 4 wide racing facility, I have been reading more hate than normal for the NHRA and the "poor state that it is in."

Lets just use the new 4 wide track as an example because it is a current hot topic. Bangshift.com made a post on facebook talking about the new facility.

(For those unfamiliar, bangshift.com is like a gear head news and entertainment site. They pull content from everywhere, and cover basically anything with an engine, both past and present. Their editor in chief Brian Lohnes can be found announcing automotive events all over the country, including NHRA events.)

Screen Shot 2017-12-10 at 8.30.05 PM.png

As you can see, this had quite the reaction. I could only take a screen shot of some comments, as there were nearly 100. But there were very few even remotely positive comments. Another hot topic that garnishes quite a reaction is the new "rule" to let teams run any powertrain they'd like, despite the "brand" body they run.

Some other hot topics include but are not limited to: (not saying I agree/disagree with these, just showing some examples of topics that get people fired up)

Fuel cars only running to 1000 feet
Body's on pro stocks, pro mods, and funny cars
Fan attendance, TV ratings, "bad" Fox Sports coverage

Among many others. I could go on all day.

Now lets get to the opinion section...

Don't get me wrong, I think there are some issues with the NHRA, and drag racing in general. I certainly don't agree with all the NHRA's choices as a sanctioning body.

With that being said, I just can't bring myself to hate the NHRA. I see so much criticism, so much hate, it just seems that you can't make a racing fan happy anymore. I just can't have those feelings for the NHRA for some reason.

I can't ever attend a national event and have a bad time. I can't possibly be angry while I sit in the stands and watch 4 fuel cars do burnouts and then proceed to rotate the earth on launch. I also can't be upset while I hear a 500 CID pro stock engine scream. Its impossible for me not to smile when I see a young child with an ear to ear grin as they get an autograph from their favorite driver. I still enjoy standing feet away from a fuel car while they warm them up in the pits (although I dearly miss when they whacked the throttle to bed the clutch in). I love nitro and race gas fumes (although my nostrils, lungs and brain cells probably don't). I love walking around the pits (especially where the sportsman cars are). The same goes for just about any track that I visit. It is nearly impossible for me to have a bad day at the track. Whether I am racing, watching, or just hanging out in the pits with friends.

I just can't bring myself to think at any point in time while I am attending, watching on TV or even looking back at an event "Man this sucks. The NHRA sucks. I don't plan on coming back here, boycott the NHRA! Drag racing is done for!" Am I just a crazed fan? I don't think I am, I just love drag racing in general, I love the NHRA.

Hopefully you gathered some of my thoughts from this long winded and more than likely incoherent ramble.

What do you think?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

melloelky

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 22, 2017
4,136
9,486
113
mass
i too grew up @new england dragway,and i love drag racing as a whole.two or four wide it's still the sights and sounds that do it for me.the only time i see four wide is on Sunday nights on t.v and it's different but I'm not overly opinionated about it.I'm just very thankful that there's still a track open within a few hours away from me.i can't see a new one's opening up the way real estate/the world's going these days
 
Last edited:

Kwik_Cutty88

Royal Smart Person
Nov 22, 2011
1,173
662
113
Coastal North Carolina
i too up @new england dragway,and i love drag racing as a whole.two or four wide it's still the sights and sounds that do it for me.the only time i see four wide is on Sunday nights on t.v and it's different but I'm not overly opinionated about it.I'm just very thankful that there's still a track open within a few hours away from me.i can't see a new one's opening up the way real estate/the world's going these days

That’s a good point as well. I am THANKFUL! Thankful to be able to attend these events, to see the sights sounds and cars, and to get to see some racing on TV!
 

Wageslave

Royal Smart Person
Jan 25, 2017
1,747
3,335
113
I get the 4 lane vs. 2 lane thing. From an administrative standpoint it makes all the sense in the world. You get through more people faster and more efficiently, and the crowds get the shock and awe factor of 4 fuel cars going full throttle at the same time. I even kind of liked the ZMax Dragway as a 4 lane track, as a novelty. It just seems like you lose the personal touch when it is you and 3 other people.

I am more of a dirt track guy myself, but NHRA always seemed like too much of a rich guys sport to me. The coverage on TV in years past really did not help that image.
 

motorheadmike

Geezer
Nov 18, 2009
8,976
27,522
113
Saskatchewan, Truckistan
As a former (and future?) Drag Week participant I think my feelings on drag racing are pretty clear. I was at the drags when I was in utero, spent my childhood in the 80s at Dragway Park in Cayuga (now Toronto Motorsports Park) watching all the greats (plus wheelstanders and jet cars), and raced there as a teen and into my adult years - it was my other home. We have raced all across Ontario (London and Grand Bend), Quebec (Luskville and Napierville), and Michigan (Milan) on a regular basis. In 2012 while on Power Tour I met a childhood idle (again) - Don Garlits - and now have a signed poster on the wall of my garage.

I taught my future wife about real speed on a drag strip - and expect to do the same with our girls who got their first indoctrination this past Summer (with my brother).


So yeah, it is my blood.

With that out of the way... NHRA is total garbage and I have no time for it as it is completely unrelatable. Grassroots and sportsman-type classes only - that being said I still remember the time John Force caved my chest in on an exhibition pass in the early 2000s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
If you think NASCAR fooked up the sport

Take a look at the NHRA

 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,214
113
I think the NHRA went too far with too many rules. As a result of that, you get people pushing the rules to the absolute limit, which is very expensive, then to pay for it, corporate sponsors were brought in. Once the big money floods, it's priced away from the little guy.
It wasn't just the NHRA; it's across the board.
As far as 4 wide, meh, I can take it or leave it. I'v never seen it live, and have no plans to do so. I do think having more than 1 venue takes away some of the specialness.
I used to go to Maple Grove for the Nats because my favorite part was Friday night qualifying. I don't know what happened or when it changed, but it's over by 7:30 Now. No more flames with molten metal visible from the zoomies.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
4 wide is retarded

I love Maple Grove!!!! Nice small track. Reminds me of Westhampton.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
3,965
113
Canton Mi
You need to know the NHRA and others are nothing more than a tracks sanctioning body. It's there for your protection. Your car must meet certain criteria before allowed on the track. At our level of racing it's pretty simple and common sense. Yea there are some rules that are kinda BS my favorite being the 2 year seat belt rule. I have a bunch of seat belts downstairs like new. Going to different tracks with different sanctioning bodies (IHRA) usually isn't a problem but there are some differences. What I don't like if I go to a divisional race (indy) I have to have an NHRA membership and the car has to be registered w/numbers more $$$.
Four wide isn't new Detroit Dragway had it back in the 60's and they actually hosted the US Nations in 1959-60. As far as the big events to watch Top Fuel or Funny Car is quite a spectacle to watch but how many times do you want to do it. Even on TV I wish they would show some of the stock - s stock and comp classes. I like watching Motor Mania TV (on computer) that is more for the bracket racers and kinda neat to see yourself racing.
Racing to me is like going camping. Most of the time it's a 2-3 day event getting out with friends and making new ones. I'm sure people enjoy other types of racing the same way.

2016-09-17 03.52.03.jpg

IMG_4388.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Wageslave

Royal Smart Person
Jan 25, 2017
1,747
3,335
113
Now I am starting to miss the show, "Pinks" again...damnit.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor