[LNorton]

Everyone is concerned with the payout.... but that isn't going to make any difference. Racers are going to show up whether NHRA races are $500 or $5000 to win.

The biggest misconception is that most racers think that NHRA needs to payout 100% of what they take in to the racers. What most don't understand is that it takes a lot to put on a single race.

Every person that is working the event must be paid (tech, tower, track personnel, gates, etc.). The track has to be prepped, which can include fuel in all of the track support vehicles. Also you have to allocate some of the income towards things like insurance, mortgage/lease payments, property taxes, etc.

Personally, I look forward to what NHRA can offer in the coming years, and that does not include payout increases. I would go to Indy if it paid $0 to win, simply because of the prestige and following in my father's footsteps of winning the big one.

I'd rather see NHRA take the money and work more with equality of the rules, and getting rid of throttle stops. Also, work more with bringing in the young racers, whether they race rice rockets or whatever.

To truly ensure the future of sportsman racing we have to have young racers that will still be around in 30 or so years.


Lee Norton
I/PS '02 Firebird 231 V6