National event chaos?

[Ok stocker]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

NHRA is ALL in with the pro classes and has been since they quit running the pro classes at the divisional level. I remember when Jeb Allen (world champion at the time), Frank Hawley, Vern Moats, John Hagen, Tom Hoover and many others passing though or needed a divisional race would show up at Thunder Valley in Marion, SD to run the points meet. Combined with the independent local teams, more times than not, there were enough cars to fill out the 8 car field. THE STANDS WERE FULL!! It was a "local" national event.

As it is now those who do not live close to a National event track and are not die hard fans are not going to drive hours to a race. Points meets today draw only a fraction of fans they use to. There are few if any local pro teams, the expense of running such a team is out of hand. The fan interest just is not there. If you have to pay a network to televise your sport it is like an infomercial /advertisement. Without fan base / sponsor advertising revenue will never support any type of sport at this level.

As for the Sportsman classes at most National events, they are a "fill" in between Pro class rounds. I do not mean that in a bad way but most fans show up to watch the pro cars. I have only ever competed at 2 National events and they were very special to me. The 85 North Stars and the 90 Heartlands (where i recieved my only Wally).

Sportsman racing WILL survive. It does not need a national venue...all it needs is YOU to support your local track.

I agree that when pro cars were run at divisional it made all races like national events for the fans. If they did this again it might open the door for low or no fund teams to compete again and they would probably help fill the starving pro fields at national events. Also filling the stands. I think most casual fans just think the divisional races are overpriced bracket races because they don't understand the classes.