Quote:
Originally Posted by Adger Smith
Look at the trend to the 4 wide tracks.
IMHO that is not for more cars, but to get the package (Pro) done in time to get the show packaged for TV.
Look at Nascar. Mega stands they built are empty. Yet they are formatting the race for TV and making money. Nascar has gone wild with the in car shots, too..
They don't need or want more sportsman racers at a race.
There are way too many TV channels and there is money to be made putting anything out there... can you say Curling??
TV is where the money is and they know it.
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I believe if they got rid of the sportsman they would loose their not for profit status. NHRA was founded as a sanctioning body to represent the members and provide a safe racing venue. The bulk of the membership today is still Sportsman racers more than ever. The pros make up a very small segment of the membership today.
NHRA has shown that they are not very good with their television coverage. The pro classes take a long time to get through the rounds and this in itself does not go well with live TV. NHRA racing will never be live except for possibly the final rounds. Even NASCAR is not on regular TV all of the time now. They are on pay per view channels and this is one of the reasons that their numbers are down.
Personally I don't think this is some sort of test to see if NHRA is better off with out sportsman racing. Its just and issue that the tracks do not have enough improved pit area to park the sportsman rigs.