[Mike Carr]

The easy answer is--some racers will NOT go to any race that is not an NHRA race. Period.

I have seen this for many years now. They will skip non-NHRA races that are an hour or two from them to drive 300, 400, or more miles to go try and win a Wally.

It never mattered to me what race it was. NHRA. IHRA. S/SS combo. Bracket race. If there was a race, and that day ended in Y, I was there, I am in the very small minority it appears. 2003, I was gone eighteen weekends that year. Seven IHRA races, seven NHRA LODRS or Opens, US Nationals, two S/SS races in Maryland, a weekend bracket race at my home track (a much better deal than going to Columbus that same weekend), not counting other local one day races. I can count on one hand the racers that would run a similar schedule, and not be beholden to a particular 'flag'.

Let's be honest--many of you, a non-NHRA race could have a free entry race, paying five grand or more to win, and be in your hometown, and you still wouldn't go.