[RJDUDEK]

Its either a hobby... or a Professional Endeavor to make a profit from an investment.

IMO, the line has never been more blurred.

NHRA has to make up its mind towards their future marketing plans .. and as to the Auto mfrs.' factory involvement .
I.E., The presentation of NHRA style Pro Drag racing.. as a affordable family day/weekend,that makes the attendee/fan to consider purchasing/leasing the current offerings and products of the participating Mfrs. and vendors. You know..win on Sunday.......Sign on Monday.

The fans and their families have had their limited entertainment $$ being bombarded 24/7 by every product and service imaginable ..and the automotive related sponsors must know that..
Also , I would say that 18-34 YO males(and females) are NOT taking out 5 yr. books on Current 35 grand 12 sec.muscle cars..in droves. THE demographic that companies most covet , too.

THE factory pro (& sportsman) supported racers must have a tough experience when one must explain how well they will represent /expose their product(s) ..as NHRA often presents half (once unheard of) empty stands... ( One of a handful of Exceptions : NE Drag-way 2013 ) during qualf. and sometime eliminations..so that's a hard nut to sell..going forward. Throw in some less than full 16 ProStock / Fuel car counts, .uneven ESPN start times..and National Broadcast ratings that are far from a selling point. The final say bean counter would say.. "Why Bother?."

I would not be surprised at all..a major cut in funding for the Professional contractual sanctioned racing endeavor that prove to be a "drag" on the bottom line,.... and special sportsman projects (CJ's - COPO- DRAGPACK's etc.) that are for most part , stunning showcases (ringers?) of technologically advanced (sold out) super-car engineering ..but not affordable for 95% of current or prospective (new) class racers or ?.