Interesting...Jon Asher on Pro Stock and Factory Stock

Originally Posted by Don Sofranko

From my experience racing SS in the 90s and early 2000 era, plus being a fan first to all drag racing, there are way more issues than pro stock. Remember Asher is a veteran writer, but has always been a nitro friend first. He doesn't love door cars from reading him for years. So Jade Grenade his PS ideas!

NHRA slipped up years ago when Wally left. They started a program where the cars were no longer the stars. They tried to emulate NASCAR where the drivers are the stars. I never came to watch a driver, I came for the cars and the party.

NHRA started a focus on advertising, where every extra spot on the TV screen was an ad.
They no longer care about the performance industry, and you no longer even see the best axle maker at the events.

NHRA doesn't make it a fair experience for the spectators. Its all about the advertisers, and their VIP accommodations. Just go to Joliet this weekend and look for the free parking spots! There are actually 2-3 tiers of VIP parking, leaving the average Joe a longer walk to the stands. Screw the fans over, and they will choose something else!

Remember when the funnest events, allowed parking behind or near the bleachers? Where did that space go to? Bigger tow rigs have hurt race car counts and fan appeal. Drive around a major race, and all you see is a campground of tall rigs, and few race cars. Now a spectator has to walk miles to see all the cars.

Bottom line is, Pro Stock didn't cause the technology problem. All drag racing is in chaos. I don't even know what the premier 9 or 10 wide tire event is, because they all are called World Ultimate Big Daddy turbo nitrous war. I actually want to go and see more of these, if it resembles a party and not a VIP parking event.

A fan wants to remain cool, and not get fleeced. They want to feel like they are at a party that can't be missed. You can stream races, and watch them on FS1 without the fleecing, but you miss the old time fun of seeing it live and meeting racers and fans.

There is nothing better than watching SS class at Indy, except for winning class at Indy!
As for Factory Stock... its been a bunch of lopsided mismatches from the start. I don't care for the blowers, they out run SS/AH cars, but I would rather watch SS/AH. In 2-5 years, a new Camaro or Mustang will be used plastic, and belong to a faded time. Who cares about a 1991 Olds Achieva anymore? They were once new, and the timeless cars will always be fun to watch. Well the new cars are good drivers and fun, but are blowers really needed? Its supposed to be about subtle mechanical skills in my mind.

Technology hurts the entertainment of watching the PS class, and comp, and other classes. The fast way down the track is the flattest and smoothest, so that's their goal. Go back and watch late 1970s Pro Stock on youtube, its way fun to watch, because its basically Modified Production on cash steroids.

Did the new rules make a change in PS? Yeah they ran off people racing PS, and made the whole thing more expensive, for people trying to get in. The brass made another dumb move, and I have no hope for NHRA to right the coarse. I still watch but can't believe how many dudes have quit, and chosen other fun things to do.

Thanks Don!
Great post.