Jason,
It should end with the "NHRA" members having a say again in what happens with the organizations direction. We have chosen to join the NHRA and pay dues to it in the form of membership, licensing fees and chassis certifications as well as supporting the tracks by racing but we have no say or vote. Here is an interesting article written back in 2004.
http://www.dragracingonline.com/burksblast/vi_11-2.html
Since that article was written, it looks like salaries have gone up (+25% for the president ) since 2002 ( I don't think cost of living inceases are needed above $650,000/year) and the situation for the sportsman racer (35,000+ licensed members) continues to get worse.
Below is a quote directly from the NHRA website ,
"Keeping with Parks' original philosophy, President Tom Compton guides the sport and assures that safety and technological improvements will remain a top priority. Progressive changes will help NHRA continue to fulfill its leadership role in the motorsports world well into the future. NHRA will protect and further the best interests of the sport, constantly lobbying for beneficial safety and insurance legislation for auto enthusiasts.
Participation on and off the track has made the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series one of the most popular forms of racing, reaching thousands of fans, members, and sponsors a quarter-mile at a time." "http://www.nhra.com/nhra101/about.aspx"
From all of the posts and comments on this thread, It looks like the best interests of the sport of NHRA drag racing including our safety is in the hands of a man and a board of directors that the members have not voted for and do not wish to have speak for them any longer. Until the bylaws of the non profit 501(c) NHRA are changed back to allow the members to vote for the directors of the organization (changed by a vote in 1981), we will have nothing to do but complain to deaf ears. Sounds a lot like our situation with our governments current political system except we freely choose to renew our membership in the NHRA and subject ourselves to things we dont agree with in order to continue to participate in a sport we all love!!
Just my .02ยข
David