"Live From" 2023 Baby Gators / Gatornationals

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

The Baby Gators had 600 plus cars here, it still amazes me how much we support NHRA, but they treat us as liabilities instead of assets. The resources that racers have spent supporting NHRA for decades, yet NHRA takes a little bite from us every year, and we still come. Why do we keep coming back. If I did not have Class Racer I don't think I would be at another national event. The division races are much more enjoyable for me.

So what happed today... well I'll tell ya. The day was going smooth no long down time from oil downs or issues, yet they schedule changed. So instead of running the sportsman that support NHRA all year long, go to 8 plus division races to get into these events, spend time and money, lots of money... lets just run a tesla down the track against a Charger... WTF. Who gives a rats *** about a tesla. What the hell does that have to do with drag racing.

I understand the pros are the show, but its just getting worse for the sportsman.

I feel your pain Ken! I gave up Natl. Events YEARS ago for EXACTLY the same reasons that you've mentioned.

All of the "distractions" that you've mentioned are there because a prominent Sponsor/Benefactor WANTED them there and the NHRA or someone IN the NHRA stood to benefit from those "distractions" being there. I hate to say it but they pay better than you do.

The Pros aren't even the "show" anymore. The Sponsors are. Kinda like network TV.

Maybe it's time for me to try and find and dust off my old thread regarding Tom Compton's idea to "split" the Pros and Sportsmen!

[Spyphish]

LEMONS 24 Baby....... 7th car!!!!!!!

[Mike McCandless]

It's ran as a straight business that needs to be profitable. Those making the decisions are making the decisions they believe will give NHRA the best ROI. They might not be making the best choices, but I'd bet that's the reason these decisions are made. Easier to make those decisions for the now vs the future. If sponsor X will pay Y for something to happen, they'll take the path of least resistance vs building something long term.

I can promise you that 99% of people in the stands have zero clue how difficult it is to enter stock/super stock and be competitive. Yet, optically, it's the class most can relate to because the cars are real cars they've seen before. I believe there is a way to make S/SS more relevant and part of the bigger show, but it wouldn't be easy or fast. Like it or not, social media and video consumption is at an all time high. NHRA won't do this, because they'd default to the bigger classes, but a "drive to survive" type of series for S/SS in my opinion, is the only solution to gain fan interest.

If you profiled 4-6 people in each class that were running nationals schedules and divisional's, I think you could make something compelling. Make it in consumable video content, no more than 30 min per episode with 2 races per episode. If people can't relate to the struggle, I'm not sure you get them engaged. There has to be a human interest element to this. Looking back now, I would do anything to be able to go back and profile the insane things we had to do for Jason to win D2 last year in Stock. It would have made for an insane TV show, with the outcome being decided at the last race of the year in the finals against the team owner of the car. You couldn't have scripted it any better. We need stories like that to get out, hook people and that's how you get things to change. NHRA has to believe the class provides a positive ROI, otherwise it will get cast to the side.

In the cold world of business, why would NHRA care about any non pro class? They're looked at as filler that don't bring fans to the track. If any sportsman class was instantly dropped, what's the overall impact financially to NHRA? Knowing they'd just put in another class or expand the field to get the count it needs? S/SS have decades of work put in them by the participants. As much as we all bitch, we're not going anywhere, NHRA knows that. If we do, they'll just pull something off the shelf to replace it. It would be sad, but that's my guess.

My worthless .02

[1347]

With no clear channel of communication of why they do what they do to the sportsman racers at National Events, I really don't think it will get any better.
After I watched the stands dump out as they were running FSS after the pros Saturday, I realized 90% of the fan is a fan of FC TFD and Pro stock car and motorcycle.
The call outs and all that other bull**** with announcers standing on stage like a DJ is what the common fan likes. We are a victim of society, not NHRA.
We need to just come to the realization that we class race because we like it. Not because we are the show. Just look in any high school parking lot to see that muscle cars are not attracting the youth.

[BigBlockBill]

Just look in any high school parking lot to see that muscle cars are not attracting the youth.[/QUOTE]

If it doesn't have a huge turbo or the BS horse power that is nitrous the kids don't anything to do with it. They like the bottle ponies and don't want to do the real work that actual engine building takes.

BBB

[BG56]

I'd like to chime in on this. I agree with all the points brought up here and of course, for years. I think the real problem yesterday was to meet the "TV Window" and wrapping the Pro program by 3:00!! Even though Alan R. warned of the 10am start and 'hurry-up' to make it, maybe some never looked at their timepieces. Sure they could have fit all finals in before the Pro Finals, I'm thinking they couldn't take the chance. And the 'new' .TV still leaves a lot to be desired. We can register our "thoughts" on that elsewhere. Cheers!

[Ken Miele]

Hey guys, I forgot to post the semi's and finals of the Factory Stock Showdown. First few are from the semi's The one photo out of focus is Welch almost stuffing into the wall. I was late turning around for the shot... Never found out why. As soon as he crossed the finish line the car made a hard left turn... good job saving it.

Check out the finals, the 6th photo, tell me what is different about the two cars besides the brands. Stanfield had to pedal the COPO as it was in the wheelstand, I don't think he would have had the power to get around Welch. Welch was on time and arguably has the best FSS car.

[James Perrone]

Well said YO Ken
I think I feel the same way
We are not forgotten by NHRA
We are there piggybank $$$$
We print the $$. They spend it anyway they want

[GTS340]

Originally Posted by James Perrone

Well said YO Ken
I think I feel the same way
We are not forgotten by NHRA
We are there piggybank $$$$
We print the $$. They spend it anyway they want

6 National races filled with sportsman entry $$$, membership costs and what ever must be a cool million to get the year going.

Paul

[Carguy49]

Thank you Ken for all you do to help keep this ship afloat. The photos and comments are very much a part of each event that you go to. Keep on doing it, Thank You.

Without your website we as racers or race fans WOULD NOT have a place to see and share pictures and comments on events and stories of traveling to them. NHRA National Events are messed up and I don't think they will ever be fixed. I hope I am wrong, but just my 2 cents about what I see and hear. Again, thank you for all you do and keep on doing it please.

Just so you all know, I think Divisional Events are much more sportsman friendly (no pros or stupid stuff to mess it up), therefore WAY more entertaining for me. I am a BIG stock and super stock fan, in case there was any doubt.