NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

This afternoon I was able to listen to the December 15th NHRA Insider podcast. Before he started his interview with NHRA Pro Stock Crew Chief Rick Jones, Brian Lohnes said something I found interesting.

He said that in 2021 NHRA was going to increase its focus on the Lucas Oil Series. He did not present this as a rumor but information he had learned from NHRA meetings in which he was involved. He did not go on to say what that means but I considered it good news.

If you would like to listen:
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR...EegQIBhAI&ep=6

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I think this could be very good for the sport, especially if they follow through and showcase more sportsman racing.

After all , The sportsman racers are the backbone of the sport and deserve more appreciation.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I like the sound of where this is going !

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Not to be negative, But maybe he's referring to the Pay per view of the Div races.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Just Maybe CamperWorld Want’s the Sportsman’s Business?

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

A tidbit that caught my attention was the mention of a new major sponsorship being announced 1st of the year.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

With the Lucas Oil withdrawal from the Off Road series I’m concerned any new sportsman sponsor might merely be a replacement.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

If you read the article with terry McMillen on how amalie's business is down because people working from home, I have to believe Lucas is also down. Also, is Lucas stuck in the football stadium contract in INDY, with NFL losing viewers because of their political stance, Lucas may be treading water

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't at least one of the talking heads who occupy the "Ivory Tower" say about exactly the same thing every year about this time?

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

If we are talking about the same thing and if I remember correctly he was talking about an announcement of a renewal of a major sponsorship at one of the big teams.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

You are correct......I Listened again without distractions.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Force

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

A lot of us tow with the very equipment they sell

Happy New Year
Don

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I seem to recall that being said when both Mr Clifford and Mr Cromwell took over as President.

Not sure about that other guy.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Ya know Billy, kinda reminds me about the huge dog and pony show that I attended at the GATORS years ago. Graham Light reassured all of us Sportsman racers how VITAL and important we were.....And you know how that worked out....

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

They probably are seeing the big money class races being organized and now they want to follow suit. Well maybe big entry fees anyway...

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Sounds like great news to me.
Maybe we could wait and see rather than posting negativity right away.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

What makes Street Outlaws so appealing to the mass public? There is zero performance revealed, no ETs no MPH no Reaction Times. But they get publicity and coverage.
Sure they dramatize everything. Sure the fans love the recklessness but a lot of it is edited down to highlight reels. Rivalries can be drummed up.
My point is NHRA can promote or create rivalries in any number of ways all the way down to the Sportsman ranks. The AA/SA heads up final between Poole and McLanahan shows this too. If they take the Sportsman coverage and edit it down to a few rivalries not just final rounds, coverage of the personalities from the pits, show some of the behind the scenes shenanigans etc. you can create a following as well. Promote the sport. Promote the rivalries. Promote the Sportsman. All good things happen from there. Yes the Pros keep people in the stands but thats because those are the racers the fans know. Promote more classes and fans will follow.
I know for me when we would go to the Summernationals or Keystones I always liked walking the sportsman pits more. Seeing if I could find the long distance license plate, or how they camped out, some of the home made modifications, up close viewing of the maintenance between rounds. That was where I took most of my pictures. But alas with Super Stock & Drag Illustrated's demise as well as others over the years we lost a life line to some of the fans
Just my opinion.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Ya know, it might be negative news but it's not fake news.
Time to stop kissing me and telling me how much you love me. Prove it!

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I would say that the number one factor is that it is HEADS-UP.

The stands are always full at our local track for the "Shadyside Outlaws", "Southeastern Gassers", and "No Prep". Very few racers are interested in brackets here anymore.

I see all these big "Class" races and local "S/SS" races being promoted, but with little emphasis on the performance component of what we do. I don't get it. The dumbing down of Class racing will be its demise. (IMO)

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Oh forget it.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

???

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Let's just say that I agree.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I never understood why the TV coverage was living . It would seam better to take living footage of the racing & interviews . Edited it down to what ever the networks time slot is( 1 hour or more } and present it as live edited footage on channel xyz at time slot xyz , and now you got your show . No down time & now you might have time for all the finial rounds . Plus some of the wow look at this kind of stuff that happens { monster wheelies , heads up runs , some of really close races , runs that almost got out of control } .

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Maybe talking with the promotors of these big money events. Have them run class/ and or run against your index with sponsors putting up cash for a win and the participants putting in money too.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Does someone know the actual count of different STK & SS racers that ran at pts meets or national events in the last 2 years? I would be curious to know the total number of racers actively competing in these 2 classes in the NHRA.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Nhra could give **** about sportsmen it’s about draining more $$$ to fill there pockets
Also why do all the FAST. Guys with soft combo wanna run off index?
Cause they win more.
Heads up ain’t the answer......... Your heads up your azz.
Street outlaws is popular cause there ain’t nothing on.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Ken,
I have been saying the very same thing for years. What is the big deal about "Live" when the quality of the program vastly improves when it is edited?? Duh!
It must take more effort to edit and someone has to know a lot about what is going on.
James, Street Outlaws has that "Soap Opera" appeal to audiences.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Aren't you "SPECIAL". Maybe you should go work on your car. Then you could play with the grown-ups.....

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

It's a big draw everywhere. Kind of like the match racing of the sixties. There was a time when Stock and Super Stock had that kind of drama.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I think the performance aspect should not be ignored

I understand that it is easier to put on a race with no real performance or performance light ( dial the index or quicker).

It is good to have races like that and it will be the majority of the races.

I think NHRA should offer as an option, more class runoffs even if they charge to enter it.
They could do a CIC as well.

I would say they should do it on the first day of an open or points meet on the day that a tune and test would normally be offered.

We don’t need discovery channel drama to attract enough racers to try this.

It has to be scheduled and offered at an e try fee that offsets the cost for the race. I think if you offer it only to those that offer the points meet or open would be good. It would probably increase the number of entries and therefore are it easier for the track to afford the points meet or national open cost.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Earned points in; 2020 2019
Stock 849 1,077
Super Stock 637 813

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Street Outlaws is Wrestling for Those that like cars, and not necessarily Drag Racing.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Thanks Frank! More than I guessed there might be.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

A good portion of those missing cars in 2020 would be Canadian cars unable to cross the border. Hopefully back in 2021 to help bring those numbers back up

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

I met Brian Lohnes during Drag Week before his current position with NHRA and I can tell you he is a great guy and a true lover of this sport. Personally I love the way he calls races, whether it's NHRA nitro, Comp, Stock or a big radial race. With that being said I spoke with Brian concerning this very comment on his podcast and among other things he had this to say, "There’s going to be a lot more spotlight on sportsman racing than there has been in a very very long time." So for me personally, I'm very excited about that!!!

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Agree Brian is a great guy to have in the booth, just wish they would bring Lewis Bloom back.

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

Have Lewis Bloom come back and he can replace Tony Pedregon

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

ANY body but Tony Pendragon. He talks like every one watching has NEVER seen or been to a drag racing event in their life. Stop talking to me like I'm a dope when it comes to NHRA drag racing, Ugh! Man I sure miss Steve Evans and Dave McLellan, Mike Dunn would be GREAT to see again also, always enjoyed his commentary. It was like he was talking directly to you as another racer. Hell, Bring up Alan Rinehart or Bruno Massel. They are great to listen to. Instead of live coverage, where they just show interview after interview, after interview when there is down time, why don't they show some sportsman coverage. Dan Fletcher's interview hit it right on the head. People DO enjoy seeing wheel standing cars on TV also, so give them and their sponsors some exposure during the down times. If I wanted to watch interviews, I would just watch day time TV shows!

Re: NHRA Insider with Brian Lohnes 12/15/2020
 

So what was the sportsman news for 2021 anybody know yet ?