NHRA At It Again

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

So, we stepped away a few years ago, and parked our car. Because of that, I'm asking this question: What has the attendance of the LODRS races been like in the past five years or so? On both sides of the covid stupidity, before and after.


I ask this to see if maybe NHRA is using the shrinking quotas for more than one purpose. If attendance for the LODRS races is down, are they using the shrinking quotas to drive people back to those races to earn more grade points?

I have not seen any noticeable decline in the car counts at the LODRS events as a result of the actual covid virus scare. I have actually done more racing during the covid era. Fuel was less expensive during the Trump years and covid. Now with fuel near $5 gallon and crazy supply issues some may have had issues with building, fixing and getting parts to keep their race cars and tow rigs running. I dont think there were many that just sat home because of the virus.

The shrinking of quotas is a direct result of NHRA adding classes. Now we have the new FX class starting this year. That will take more of the sportsman quota away at Nationals.
Last year approximately 935 stock eliminator cars competed and scored points. Just over 700 super stock cars ran for points. I would venture to say we have the highest car counts of any other classes but we are getting pushed out by classes that have nowhere near the numbers we have.

[Lenny5160]

Stock does seem to be the largest of the sportsman classes. I looked back from 2022 - 2017 to see how many Stockers ran a points-earning race of any kind, how many ran at least 5 Divisional races, and how many ran the full slate of 8+ Divisionals each year:

2022: 969 - 287 - 51
2021: 957 - 291 - 73
2020: 850 - 239 - 32
2019: 1077 - 282 - 61
2018: 1077 - 250 - 39
2017: 1088 - 260 - 42

It appears that the pandemic did affect the total number of racers to a decent degree.

The number of racers getting at least their 5 points races has been remarkably consistent.

It does look like the number of racers really maximizing their points potential and/or chasing grade points has been on the rise beginning in 2019, although I'd guess fuel prices put a slight damper on it in 2022.

[GTS340]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

Stock does seem to be the largest of the sportsman classes. I looked back from 2022 - 2017 to see how many Stockers ran a points-earning race of any kind, how many ran at least 5 Divisional races, and how many ran the full slate of 8+ Divisionals each year:

2022: 969 - 287 - 51
2021: 957 - 291 - 73
2020: 850 - 239 - 32
2019: 1077 - 282 - 61
2018: 1077 - 250 - 39
2017: 1088 - 260 - 42

It appears that the pandemic did affect the total number of racers to a decent degree.

The number of racers getting at least their 5 points races has been remarkably consistent.

It does look like the number of racers really maximizing their points potential and/or chasing grade points has been on the rise beginning in 2019, although I'd guess fuel prices put a slight damper on it in 2022.

Probably a few open races to many of those racers.

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by GTS340

Probably a few open races to many of those racers.

Especially for D1 racers. So many great opportunities within a reasonable tow to earn Grade Points and oh by the way, Real Points.

[Frank Castros]

Unfortunately D7 racers have only four (4) tracks participating within their LODRS schedule with three doubles. The Open schedule has two (2) tracks, three races with one double.
Long tows, big division. Expensive.

[Tom P]

Skewing those numbers somewhat would be the border shutting down and losing the Canadian racers and races for two of those years.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Unfortunately D7 racers have only four (4) tracks participating within their LODRS schedule with three doubles. The Open schedule has two (2) tracks, three races with one double.
Long tows, big division. Expensive.

Same could be said for D6 and even others Frank. $5-7 diesel is with us for quite a while longer it appears so have to wonder if local associations and even bracket programs will benefit. I’m even beginning to wonder if there is a possibility that AZ will not fill at 70, which of course will prompt NHRA to say “See, you wanted higher quotas and then you didn’t support”. Good news for those with with fewer GP’s of course so obviously hope it does fill. Regardless, all the “big” events will continue to require GP8 to get in. The Quota deal is going to big a huge topic of discussion this year.

[Frank Castros]

Yes D6 and D5 racers also have challenges collecting Grade Points, D4 racers also have long tows but are among some the most loyal racers competing. Ron Ortiz stated in D2 if you live in south Florida it's a long tow to many races. D3 geographically is fairly tight with good opportunities.
The moral of the story is why has the N.H.R.A. lowered the quotas and placed a hardship on so many racers?

[GarysZ24]

The shrinking of quotas is a direct result of NHRA adding classes. Now we have the new FX class starting this year. That will take more of the sportsman quota away at Nationals.
Last year approximately 935 stock eliminator cars competed and scored points. Just over 700 super stock cars ran for points. I would venture to say we have the highest car counts of any other classes but we are getting pushed out by classes that have nowhere near the numbers we have.[/QUOTE]

I think it's laughable that Top Sportsman only has two entries, and Top Dragster 19. They would've been better off adding Super Street instead of both of those categories....

[SSDA Hemi]

Originally Posted by GarysZ24

I think it's laughable that Top Sportsman only has two entries, and Top Dragster 19. They would've been better off adding Super Street instead of both of those categories....

All that matters is where it closes at before the race. T/S and T/D racers on the west coast might just have lower grade point counts right now. IMO better to race a class with less/ no quotas than be fighting when grade point 9 or 10 becomes reality lol!