Question for you stock & super stock racers

[Chuck Beach]

How many of you like or can appreciate the Indy schedule? (for lack of better terminology)

Let me ask another question ... how many of you can take off Friday's to race a divisional OR are you like me that has a job and have a tough time getting the day off or don't have enough vacation time?

Let me start off by saying this is nothing against the people that run these classes (top sportsman and top dragster). I also know that things have changed over time. How many of you (like me) went to divisional races when we had Pro stockers? I can remember back in the day that even with the Pros we always were scheduled for 2 qualifying runs on Saturday and eliminations were on Sunday (this included Indy). We would get called up in the lanes and sit for hours. Sometimes we ran and sometimes we didn't. I ALWAYS went to a divisional on Saturday. The procedure is so much better now and everything is done in a more timely fashion.

Then came more classes and more cars. This soon lead to starting divisionals on Friday for qualifying and record runs.

Now to the point. We (stock and super stock) are the backbone of this sport. These classes have been around longer than any other class including Pros (starting back in the 50's). Can anyone tell me why we are now required to get to a divisional on Friday so that we can get more than 1 qualifying run? I am not saying that we are better than any other class, but where has our respect gone? Getting bumped on Saturday so that top sportsman and top dragster can get 2 runs is a kick in the crouch. Besides who is there to watch these classes anyway? I for one will not show up at any divisionals if I cannot get at least 2 qualifying runs on Saturday if I cannot make it on a Friday.

Let's put this in perspective ... I have a job and I have to work .. to go to a divisional and get 1 qualifying run and then 1st round (and possibly get eliminated) is not an option for me.

Let's add it up .. or better yet you add it up
1) the cost of fuel
2) the cost of entry
3) the cost racing fuel
4) the cost of food
5) the cost of a hotel
6) my time
7) uncontrollable weather
8) etc.

The possibility of making 2 runs down the track for HOW MUCH? Maybe it is time for me to find something else to do ....

[T Hall]

Chuck, . I agree wholeheartedly with what you have posted here and as you know, I am a S/ST racer. You guys need to raise this question with your representative from the sportsman advisory councils. This site is a great place to pose this question and suggestion to him.
3 days for a divisional is ridiculous and BORING. So much so that I am taking a break from it myself.
Good luck.

[RJ Zenzen]

Amen to THAT !! That is one question I am going to raise to my Div D. I was one that went to WDRS meets when everything from Top Fuel, Funny Cars, Pro Stock and all the sportsman cars were there. The problem I have is now the TOP WHATEVER cars get the best parking. Stock & Super Stock get to park in the ugly areas. WHO was always there to support these races in the past, S& SS!!!! And now we are second class. Just burns my butt!!!

[greg fulk]

Now then if it were me & I was the track opprator what I would do would be to advertise a night of "SPEED" what I would do is have frist round of T/S & T/D along with the last round of Comp, A/F & A/D qual. & tell everybody as the last pair of Funnycars go down the track to come back tomorrow for first round & "see all the finals!" but that's just me...

[Rod Greene]

Chuck you are right who needs NHRA. I started racing in 1970 started running stock in 73. I remember the Top Fuelers at points races. After every oildown they would call stock to the lanes. The latest enhancement with the 2 step rule and how it is applied to stick cars was the last straw I sold my car right after the Phoenix race and I didn't renew my NHRA membership. I think I will put my challenger together and race it at different Mopar races and have fun again.

[Patrick Kelliher]

When I open a NHRA rule book it mentions nothing about TD & TS. When I look at national points it mentions nothing about TD & TS. They are an exhibition classes. As such they are lowest on the totem pole. They should be the FIRST to get bumped when conditions limit runs.

[LNorton]

This is a big reason why we run IHRA events when we run division races. We can leave early on Saturday morning, sometimes get to race twice over the weekend, and be back on Sunday night. Never have to take off a Friday enless you really want to.

If you live in the right areas, these double races really work out nicely.

[Dick Butler]

Chuck, Problem is NHRA rates a success by numbers of entries and who helps pay the bills.
Stk and SS , mainly are entry payers today.
T/S and T/S came into being to allow S/G and S/C racers to run faster and get away from the fixed et of 9.90, 8.90.
They allow BIG costly somewhat generic Motors to become needed by these classes. Sponsors see an opportunity to get customers and help with the payout.
They require a more sophisticated Chassis which is more expensive and requires big time chassis builder who sees a chance to sponsor and get additional customers.
NHRA sees a chance to draw IHRA racers and increase entry payers to the same meet.
With all the varied classes I am sure it would be hard to give any class all its runs on one day at the exclusion of another group....but if you create a Buzz with one group like these new classes have it is naturally get attention to grow it.

[Chuck Beach]

Then the sponsors are wasting their time and money. When was the last time you saw spectators at the Indy divisional race, THEY DON"T ADVERTISE IT. 95% of the crowd at Indy are racers and I have no interest in watching these guys run ...

[Adger Smith]

Dick,
Nice way to ramble on about the inclusion of T/S & T/D in NHRA. Why didn't you just sum it up in one line.( or one word)
NHRA saw a way to make more "MONEY".... :~)