You know, for many, MANY years, NHRA drag racing existed in a world where nobody had ever HEARD of a "title sponsor."
I really didn't like it when they changed the name from "The NHRA Nationals" to "The U.S. Nationals".... and REALLY, REALLY, didn't like it when they added "The Mac Tools US Nationals."
Seemed like it cheapened a pure entity.... commercialized a thing so valuable and unique that it should have transcended crass commercialization.
But, they didn't ask me...
The point I wanted to make was, if NHRA drag racing survived and even PROSPERED and GREW with no "title rights" sponsors, why are they perceived as being so important, now?
It's still a contest of acceleration in front of spectators.... and, will be.
I don't think the sky would fall if ALL the "title rights sponsors" suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth. NHRA got along fine without them from its first Nationals in 1955, for probably at least 30 years, thereafter... what's so special about 2009?
The bean counters need SOME limits on how much they can squeeze out of this automotive turnip....
Just my 2-cents...