Pro Stock
 

Is anyone else of the opinion that NHRA is in the process of shuffling Pro Stock into the "semi-pro" ranks . Can not help noticing how they now feature the nitro classes in big bold headlines (and bold red letters) , where-as Pro Stock is lumped at bottom with P/S Motorcycle and ProMod . I just have this gut feeling they would like to use P/S , P/S M and PM as filler and jettison the sportsmen at national events .

Re: Pro Stock
 

That wouldn't be a bit of a surprise.

David
The New Hemi Guy

Re: Pro Stock
 

I think they (NHRA) has had that mindset for several years now. To them only Nitro fueled cars are real race cars! John Force told them it is so. Jim


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Re: Pro Stock
 

The larger sponsors that target a broader demographic are being placated here, to them track prep, marketing, etc is all about the Nitro. Besides the Erica story line ESPN could really care less about other classes.

Re: Pro Stock
 

If John Force told Tom Compton that the moon is "blue" he would believe him....

Re: Pro Stock
 

May end up like pro-stock truck,except without the lawsuits if they can figure out how..

Re: Pro Stock
 

I think they want a one day event and eliminate and screw all the non nitro classes. And increase the spectator entry fees

Re: Pro Stock
 

I am certain you're correct . One day event , the Noise , header flames , promise of explosions and crashes , with monster trucks or Joie Chitwood's "Thrill Show" as filler , and be shed of those annoying Sportsman Classes and amateur racers who founded and built the sport . My opinion is it's all part of the "NAPCARIZATION" of drag racing . Why , they're even into this useless "WORLD SERIES_SUPERBOWL_PLAYOFF " concept now . What was wrong with the season point leader being champ ? What omes next ? Force - Enders and Schumacher on a cricket pitch with Jeremy Clarkson narrating ?

Re: Pro Stock
 

I think one of the worst moves was the emulation was of NASCAR in the points race.

Re: Pro Stock
 

Right or wrong, it is all about the money....... I can not criticize NHRA for evolving into what generates the most money....I just hope that along the way, we sportsman racers can fit it......look at the stands when we race, then look when the fuel cars run. I don't like it, but that is the way it is...... Pro Stock is nothing like it was intended to be...."Win races on Sunday and Sell cars on Monday". That is how it started. Now all Pro Stock cars look the same. I doubt anyone has bought a car recently because Erica driver a Chevy!!!!! It used to be that way, but not now.....I don't have the answer, but the direction of Pro Stock is dead ended..... Perhaps, the Cobra Jets, Hemi's, and COPO's can create some excitement. Like the local Chevy dealer displaying a winning COPO on Monday.

Re: Pro Stock
 

The coverage that the sportsman racer receives on TV is a joke. Again today if I was not aware that there were other classes in sportsman racing, one would think that the Lucas series only has the dragsters and funny cars, no mention of the lower classes what so ever.

Re: Pro Stock
 

The minute NHRA figures out how to run nothing but Pro Mod, Alcohol Pro stock and Fuel where done at National events. If they could they would right now, but they need us as track prep and filler between rounds of the John Force show. Why drag the track when all they need to do is call Stockers to the lanes.

Mark Madison

Re: Pro Stock
 

They need a cash cow.Sportsman racers fit the bill,for now.

Re: Pro Stock
 

They also need our entry fees! Pros don't pay anything to get in. Paid spectators are at an all time low. No, they must have our money! Jim

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Re: Pro Stock
 

My local Congressman keeps telling me how much he needs my support also. So far that's another one way street.

Mark Madison

Re: Pro Stock
 

The great and all seeing Ed Fernandez told us many moons ago that we were the last generation to care about the automobile and I've come to the conclusion that he was right.lol I really was hoping that pro stock would survive this down turn in the economy but unfortunately the other pigs at the table didn't leave any meat to fight over. This year at the U.S Nationals most of the ads were Nitro! Nitro! Pro Mod! -----------------------and pro stock? Maybe... I say remove your wheelie bars and let them hang boys and gal!

Re: Pro Stock
 

Ed is right! Ed is always right! Jim


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Re: Pro Stock
 

Last year, I tried to relocate to the Ozarks of Missouri. Lots of 1/8 mile "outlaw" tracks around there. We didn't run the SS car, but ran the stocker in events that paid more than winning a division race. But, my point is, they ran 10.5 cars and street radial cars.....these guys are crazy......they brought the crowds in to watch them crash.....and they did... Apparently, the folks want to see that. If you haven't seen a 10.5 race....you need to. They are a riot.

Re: Pro Stock
 

How about this as a solution to the sportsman(and now pro stock) dilemma. The Jegs Sportsman Nationals and the Summit Racing Series can replace NHRA as the only sportsman act in town. Sportsman racers buy more from Summit and Jegs than the Pros. Your average hot rodder relates more to the sportsman ranks than T/F or F/C. It has gotta cost Summit and Jegs many $ 's the promote NHRA. If they spent those $'s on their own formats, with maybe a final of J vs S, you could see how they can fuel customer loyalty and increased spening on their cars. The Speed Channel would pick up this series without over runs of the WBA, sports gab, etc. as per ESPN. It is also a shame that the sportsman racers don't support the different S S/S, SS/T S/G regional clubs that have better payouts than N or IHRA.

Re: Pro Stock
 

In many parts of the country, NHRA needs a fast, heads up door car class. Pro Stock has evolved into a disgrace. They could run some kind of Pro Mod-10.5 sort of car with far better results.
The IHRA has found their deal works with a low key sportsman segment and a few big sportsman stand alone races. I do believe their sportsman car count at the bigger races has improved a bit.
Yes, independent racing for sportsmen is the only viable future. The Stock Super Stock association that Dave Ley runs is one good deal, one that I am familiar with. I am sure there are other groups. The NHRA is dying, drag racing will live on. Fernandez is right, the next generation could care less about NHRA style sportsman racing. Long term survival will require new adventures.