It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

As all of you know NHRA had their meeting this morning regarding the future of pro stock. While everyone will agree that its time for an upgrade in the class like the changes to EFI.... I can't say that they are attempting to do anything to grow our sport. The sportsman racers have felt it for years. We come to an NHRA race because we want to win some of the most prestigious drag races of all. However, we pay outrageous entry fees, race for little money, get scratched from rounds, pushed to the side....which we might gripe about but at the end of the day it is all worth it to win that Wally. The meaning of that Wally at the end of a Sunday means exactly what Wally Parks wanted it to for us drag racers. It wasn't just meant for the Force family and the Schumachers....it was meant for the Fletcher's, Biondo's, and the Average Joe's too. What I see happening in Pro Stock is just a reflection of how the leaders of NHRA have treated us sportsman racers for years.

Out of the pro stock racers I know... none of them were even asked about what they think would help the class or what they would like to see in the future. Were supposed to believe a press release that says their making efforts to improve our sport and striving towards the future but what about all of us that make up the heart of NHRA.... For example, look at the post from John Gaydosh of face book...

"They are going to kill the little teams like us if you want to see flat hoods and smaller engines go watch super stock or go watch the copo and the Mustang and the chalanger in the factory show down .We like the challenge of trying to go faster with what we have pro stock has evolved in to what it is for a reason. Its the hardest class to compleat in don't complain about a class you don't run in and make changes that you think will make it better with out asking how it affects everybody in the class. I like the change of Turning the cars around and other things but explain to me how this change is going to bring more people to race this class and how this is going to be cheaper for us little guys or anybody else now all the cars are going to be fitted with new front ends and what about the K&N challenge what happens to that sponsor a lot to think about everybody wants to fix something that they don't even spend thier hard earned money on you don't see any of the pro stock drivers complaining about anything but we need more tv time to help promote our sponsors not a split screen with fuel car teams working on their cars show us doing what we do best turn a car around and go and make the best cars out their run fast"

While I personally don't know the answers to fix the class or NHRA... I do know the way it has all been handled is heartbreaking. I feel for the guys who have worked for years with passion for a class they loved, and the ones like Bo who have dreamed of racing such a "drivers" class...all the years of dedication to NHRA didn't matter in the decisions that were made, their opinions didn't matter, their ideas got nothing more than a "next question please" response. I was even told that when Greg Stanfield mentioned raising the purse to help the class with these changes and to help bring in new racers he was told "It is not up for discussion". V. Gains even asked about the future of comp and was told that the sportsman racers are a portion but their not professionals and they don't effect the bottom line.

With all this being said, I ask those of you who love the sport and NHRA like I do... What can we do to fix the problem and take back a sport we love?

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Unfortunately NHRA quit listening to their most valuable assets long ago, it's racers. With comments like the one about Comp it really shows the ignorance of the leadership, where do they think a lot of the ideas and technology originated to get us to where we are today?

The situation as it stands now reminds me of a drug addict, often they have to hit rock bottom before they turn things around. Let's hope for the future of our sport that NHRA doesn't have to go that far.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Look at the photos of the Div 3 points meet grand stands. If the entries were to decrease....... Lucky most are addicted to attending an NHRA event and have their car already. When more and more guys retire then it might become critical.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

I like how on TV last night our NHRA leaders act like they worked so hard to come up with this decision they made for pro stock. Half of the questions that were asked at the meeting couldn't even be answered because they haven't thought about things far enough ahead yet. Just like they didn't think ahead when the comp numbers started to decrease across the country. If that is Pro Stock's feeder class then what did you think would come next...? They are doing the same thing to top alcohol classes right now... they've been shunned into some weird regional points system and shut out of a lot of national events... Now look at our fuel categories and the car counts. Do you think it hasn't had an effect on those car counts? Rumor has it they had to pay several of the drivers in both categories just to show up and get full fields here in Denver!

You know what it the craziest thing of all in all of this...? Not one person on our team can even point Glen Gray out of a crowd. I am at my 9th National event this season and I can't tell you who our VP of Tech is? That is unacceptable. As a matter of fact I can't tell you what one person on the whole Board of Directors at NHRA looks like. Bo said he couldn't imagine making his business work without meeting his employees and customers. So, how do NHRA High Up's expect to survive without knowing us? Heck, even Henry Ford III has came over to our pits, hung out a minute, and thanked Bo for being a part of the success of the Cobra Jets! Yet our NHRA leaders can't?

I am not ranting to put NHRA down in any way. I believe in what Wally Parks started for all of us but I will not accept it's demise by non-racing leaders that run it like the government. So I challenge all you higher ups at NHRA.... come on out and meet us racers. I promise you'll have more fun in our sportsman pits then you've ever had at a National Event. Then you can walk around the track with a smile instead of a scowl and you'll see the real heart of NHRA. You might even learn something while your at it!

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Randi Lyn,
Great post. Ken should have some sort of like button. There really is no way to fix this. The biggest problem is you will never get the 9000 sportsman racers to agree on anything. 2/3rds of them will never put the time in like they say they will. Most will just sit in the trailers and bitch about how things have changed and give into it. Let someone else take the heat for speaking out. Think about everyone you know in this sport and what they do for a living. How succesful they are in the business world. It's crazy how they let themselves get pushed around the way they do just to belong.

So trying to fix this... Unity is the start. Not just Sportsman races but all of you guys and girls. Pro's and sportsman. They keep dividing up the racers. ( pros, alcohol and sportsman) Divide and conquer.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Try IHRA they will listen to sportsmen!!!!!:D

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

IHRA seems to understand Sportsman love the way they crown there champs with a race of the best of the best from each division reminds me of the Jegs All Stars

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

I have raced a lot with IHRA and enjoyed every race with them. Unfortunately their schedule didn't work for me this year and I really enjoy 1\4 mile racing better. I'm sure I will be back to IHRA in the near future but there's still something about chasing that Wally.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

I'll tell you the truth, Pro Stock is boring. All the cars look the same, use the same engine (basically) and take far to long to run. If they insist on running those unidentifiable bodies put them in Comp, make it "all run" situation. It will draw attention to Comp, make Pro Stock compete with other cars besides themselves and make it more interesting to the fans.

Oh, do away with fuel and alcohol cars so the real racers can race.

JimR

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

The fuel racers really act like they're "the shyt" in drag racing. Personally I wish they would go away for good. Alcohol cars are OK for those who like them...........
Pro Stock really is boring ..............and this from a racer / fan who used to love Pro Stock , but anymore I don't even have much interest. After the Glidden , Johnson , Iaconio and RMS days , it hasn't been the same.
And now the bodies have morphed into Jelly beans.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

same ol bs, try ihra....take a look at my location and tell me where there's an ihra track?

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Ms. Pontiac Maniac , a very insightful post that really got me to thinking...but as Larry Morgan would say....You can't fix STUPID....and I really believe that is what WE are up against. WE all share a passion for the sport where as the board of directors share a passion for the bottom line and their overpaid salaries. They can't identify with us because they have never towed all night long to get to a race because.....they are NOT racers. They never spent an evening thrashing on the car because they are not racers. They are SUITS and they haven't got a clue.The original CAR people are gone . And it's a shame because Wally would not have wanted it this way.....M.J.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

I've raced both NHRA, and IHRA, and was treated well by both actually. But Mike Baker at IHRA just makes you feel like all racers truly matter, and when he tears you down after record runs, he's a no bull, business type guy. A class act. Been torn down by NHRA also, but just felt a little out of place. No, not whining. Just a different atmosphere. Just my opinion.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Nail on the proverbial head M.J.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Very well stated, M.J.. I couldn't agree with you more.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

I am sure I will get hammered for this but Wally was in on hiring all the suits that are running the show. The all about the bottom line started long before Wally was gone.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Exactly!

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Randi Lynn, great post. My two cents would be to allow a Pure Stock category to first show at Divisional races. This would be a stepping stone for new blood and old alike to try Class race at an affordable entry. Second would be a Crate engine class for people stepping up from Pure stock. I know that a lot of people are going to cry foul that stock should be stock but let's not lie to ourselves, stock is really Super Stock now anyways. My 69 Camaro G/SA in the early 80's was a real car, my present 87 Camaro is really a SS car. Acid trenching heads for a stocker is unacceptable, anyways that is my two cents.Randi keep it up love your enthusiast.CR p.s if they start listening to the racer they might notice a slight improvement. By the way Nascar is having the same problem with very low crowds, just look at the Crowning event at Indy it was nearly empty, so we are all having problems.lol Love NHRA Sportsman racing, when I go to events like Indy I show up on Wed and leave on Saturday.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

my 2 cents Ultra Stock: current pro stock with mountian motor's
Pro stock :current late model F/S cars with 429,427,426
crate motors, EFI, back half stick shift only
Jr pro stock: current late model F/S cars with 429,427,426
crate motors, EFI, 9 inch tires
no fiber glass or lexan for P/S or Jr P/S

EFI, Ethanal haven't done any thing for nascar the stands are not full
my 2 cents We like Pro Mod. top fuel bye bye

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

So I ask this question, what is the one thing that you would do that does not cost nhra, the racer or the tracks any money (nhra and tracks do not have it, racers do not want spend it) that would help class racing?

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

New Pro Stock two out of three match races at Divisionals. Advertise locally .That will bring spectators out.

NHRA , get off the wallet and subsidize it instead of forcing new costs on the actual racers
You heard it first, right here

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

It is a known fact that Wally hand picked Tom Compton to lead NHRA. Wally was up in years and so were the original CAR people that served on the board of directors. I have NO idea why Tom Compton is no longer leading us, NHRA will not tell us ,. and I won't deal with rumors or innuendo. M.J.

Re: It's not just Pro Stocks Problem....
 

Like the to see NHRA accept Pure Stock.
Good new racer incentive to take a crack at Stock.
Especially with all the new cars coming on line.

Think a few Stocker guys would move into Pure Stock.
More fun, less maintenance and no expensive fuel.
Roll Bars optional except maybe for A or B/PS.

Drove mine car to all the races for years.
Changed tire competed and had fun.
Now towing as better/newer or replacement parts came along.
Always evolving our cars to go faster.

Think Crate Engine Class for Pure Stock would work.
Even help the full Stock Crate Engine class.
These are commons sense upgrades to Stock.

IHRA is doing well in Stock.
We have a nice Pure Stock Community going all over the country.

D