4 Wide for 2011

[joe176]

ESPN ran a poll on this and the majority of their voters did not like the 4 wide format.

NHRA to Race Four-Wide in Charlotte in 2011
Courtesy of NHRA Communications

2011 NHRA Four Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway to Once Again Feature Four-wide Racing




LAS VEGAS -- NHRA announced today that the 2011 NHRA Four Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway will once again feature four-wide racing in all four professional categories. The spring event in Charlotte will be the only race on the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule that will showcase four-wide racing.

"Few would argue the amount of attention the four-wide race received leading up to and even following the event from our fans, racers and the media," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. "The spectacle of four-wide racing is nothing short of breathtaking and we want to build on that and share the four-wide experience with our fans once again in 2011."

Based on feedback from the fans, the racing community and sponsors, NHRA is planning to improve upon the format and make adjustments to enhance the experience for everyone. Areas under review include the experience on-site for the fans, improving television for fans watching at home, maximizing sponsor value, and working with the race teams on operational functions including the staging process.

"I want to thank Bruton and Marcus Smith and everyone at SMI for believing in NHRA and having the vision to build a facility that is truly one of the crown jewels of the sport," said Compton.

[Brian VP]

This should just go to show why we don't want Bruton to buy NHRA. Bruton obviously was the only one who like 4 wide and since his ego was on the line he held the race of his races hostage. Now that his tracks have 1/4 of the NHRA national events NHRA has no choice but to kiss his butt. I actually was kind of surprised when I saw that Bruton was still so much behind the 4 wide concept after polls showed that 75% of fans didn't like it. I thought that he was smarter than that and he wanted to make the fans happy. I was wrong he is just another rich ego driven fool. I for one am sick of hearing his bullying and circus style concepts and I have no plans to ever run at Charlotte. I will just continue to race the way that it was supposed to be. Just my 2 cents.
Brian

[Dave Casey]

i seldom watch the tv show, but i give espn credit for asking many racers what they thought about the announcement.

Morgan Lucas certainly let them know that his opinion had not changed. Many others said that they were in agreement because of the fans and Brunton. I think that Brunton has been good for the sport, but i can't see that he has done anything more than any other track owner, did i miss something ?

[SuperStock fan]

What a circus this going to be! Seem like the NHRA is only concerned with rating and nothing else. 4 wide is going to be a joke like Paul Page is!

[joe176]

Morgan Lucas is the only one that stuck to his guns and called it "a gimmick" on the Vegas qualifying show.

[Dale Shannon]

Originally Posted by Brian VP

This should just go to show why we don't want Bruton to buy NHRA. Bruton obviously was the only one who like 4 wide and since his ego was on the line he held the race of his races hostage. Now that his tracks have 1/4 of the NHRA national events NHRA has no choice but to kiss his butt. I actually was kind of surprised when I saw that Bruton was still so much behind the 4 wide concept after polls showed that 75% of fans didn't like it. I thought that he was smarter than that and he wanted to make the fans happy. I was wrong he is just another rich ego driven fool. I for one am sick of hearing his bullying and circus style concepts and I have no plans to ever run at Charlotte. I will just continue to race the way that it was supposed to be. Just my 2 cents.
Brian

Doesnt this only effect the pro's why would you even care? This is brutons toy let him play with it. Who has built the most recent tracks for you crowd pleasing Stockers to race at. Im sure Bruton will miss you.
Dale

[Brian VP]

Again I don't believe that NHRA really wants 4 wide. In one article on Competition Plus, NHRA didn't even want to do it. This is Bruton's baby and HE wants it. Bruton is the type of guy who, if he doesn't get what he wants, will just pull the plug, just ask the Concord city council when they weren't going to let him build a dragstrip. The ratings weren't any better for the inaugural 4 wide race than any other race. Do you really think they are going to get any better for the second? At this point NHRA is just doing damage control and with Bruton having 6 of 23 races, can you blame them? Bruton already owns the NHRA and it didn't cost him anything.

[Brian VP]

Originally Posted by Dale Shannon

Doesnt this only effect the pro's why would you even care? This is brutons toy let him play with it. Who has built the most recent tracks for you crowd pleasing Stockers to race at. Im sure Bruton will miss you.
Dale

Dale I know that Bruton doesn't really care about whether or not I go to his race and that is fine with me. My ego is in check. It matters to me because it affects our sport that I race in. If a band of racers don't like racing a certain way I would think that others who have embattled the same obstacles might support them. Remember, PRO wasn't even asked if it would be ok to do this the first time. Bruton and NHRA forced it on them. Kind of sounds familiar doesn't it. 61 of 63 Owners/drivers voted against it. 75 percent of the fans voted against it. Maybe Bruton should just stick to building nice tracks rather than becoming Ringling Brothers. And by the way, I race Super Stock.

[Dale Shannon]

Originally Posted by Brian VP

Dale I know that Bruton doesn't really care about whether or not I go to his race and that is fine with me. My ego is in check. It matters to me because it affects our sport that I race in. If a band of racers don't like racing a certain way I would think that others who have embattled the same obstacles might support them. Remember, PRO wasn't even asked if it would be ok to do this the first time. Bruton and NHRA forced it on them. Kind of sounds familiar doesn't it. 61 of 63 Owners/drivers voted against it. 75 percent of the fans voted against it. Maybe Bruton should just stick to building nice tracks rather than becoming Ringling Brothers. And by the way, I race Super Stock.

Well one more comment from me on this, because I think this should be in the lounge. I don't think Bruton or NHRA is going to put a gun to any of the pros head to come to Charlotte. Brutons BIG TOP thinking is why he has built so many nice tracks. Ah Super Stock I know he will miss you now...
Dale

[joe176]

Originally Posted by Brian VP

Dale I know that Bruton doesn't really care about whether or not I go to his race and that is fine with me. My ego is in check. It matters to me because it affects our sport that I race in. If a band of racers don't like racing a certain way I would think that others who have embattled the same obstacles might support them. Remember, PRO wasn't even asked if it would be ok to do this the first time. Bruton and NHRA forced it on them. Kind of sounds familiar doesn't it. 61 of 63 Owners/drivers voted against it. 75 percent of the fans voted against it. Maybe Bruton should just stick to building nice tracks rather than becoming Ringling Brothers. And by the way, I race Super Stock.

I couldn't have said it better !!!!!