[Alan Roehrich]

Let's be realistic here. NHRA is not going to add another class to tech, they don't want to be bothered to tech the classes we have now.

And honestly, another class is not going to increase participation.

Racers want to be treated better, charged a little less, and paid at least a little more when they do well.

Racers aren't staying home or quitting because of the expense and/or difficulty of building and maintaining a car. The return on that cost is something they can see and touch, they know they actually have at least a piece of property they spent money on that they can keep.

Racers are staying home or quitting because NHRA treats them badly, charges them exorbitantly, and pays them poorly. It's a low rate of return on investment in a terrible economy. That's a guaranteed way to get a low car count. Drive 300 or more miles in a tow rig, for a weekend race, and if you don't break anything, and you don't count the wear on the car or rig, you've spent $1500 for a national event, and not much less for a division race.

Witness the past weekend at Bowling Green. There were 59 cars running a Stock Super Stock combo in weather that was as hot and sticky as you'll find, with a high risk of a rain out. In fact, Saturday did rain out. But it only cost $50 for a car and driver, the track was good, and the staff treated racers like they wanted them there. THAT is all racers want. Reasonable costs, decent treatment, and a fair payout. Until they get that from NHRA, the car count is going to drop.