Modern Drag Racing Boring, Boring, Boring or is it just me?

For about the last year something's been bothering me but I couldn't quite figure out why. I finally figured it out this weekend and it's with a touch of saddness that I have to admit that I'm totally bored with the modern NHRA. With all the look alike dragsters, funny cars and pro stocks, no inovation, the same old rap at the end of the strip it seems like an old rerun every week. Every week it's the same old thing. The cars are now nothing but rolling billboards driven mostly be sons and daughters of the wealthly term owners (Lucas, Force, Shumacker, Tasca. Kalitta). You have to be born into the lucky sperm club. It's just not fun anymore. It's outgrown and runined itself.
Last weekend I spent over $90.00 to take myself and my 14 year old son to the NHRA Nationals qualifying at Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ. We left about halfway way through the day. Can you say bored?? All the trailers looked the same, all the cars look the same. Every top fuel car all had hospitality tents for the corporate guests. Crowds of people waiting and standing the the hot sun to get autographs. I asked my son if he was ready to leave. He said yes but didn't want to say anything because he didn't want to hurt my feeling. NHRA has turned into is just a shadow of what it used to be. It's progressed itself right into the land of the big yawn. Big corperate bucks? Yes. Passion for passions sake? Nope.
I remember being a kid and waiting every six months to watch Wide World of Sports just to get a glimpse drag racing. I'd get to see a few of the top runs from the Nationals. All the different classes, the names on the cars like Wynn's Jammer, Brutus, Ramchargers, Jungle Jim and more the inovation is all gone. So much for progress. I can't be the only way who feels this way? I never wanted to be a throwback but sometimes you're forced to be.

We just recently had a thread on exactly this subject and lots of us agree that the drag racing we remember from days past was so much more fun. I actually flip past any modern day drag racing when surfing the channels and go to some other kind of show.

My suggestion was and is, take your Son to one of the Nostalgia Drag races that are becoming so popular around the country. They go under various names like HAMB Drags, Billetproof Drags, etc. I guarantee that you will both have the time of your life and not be able to wait for the next one to happen. You will see cars you can actually relate to and guys and gals out there having a blast.

I'm building my 27 just for one such event, the Billetproof Drags in Lakeland, Fl. in October. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!! You should be able to find one of these in NY State.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. Here are some pictures from one we went to last October.

Don

And a couple more..................These two guys are Glenn and Big Mike, and the ones I want to race in October. LOL

Don

on a related note ..has IHRA dropped pro stock .. it was the only racing i could stand as now and then a ford would win .. maybe larry morgan has began to find some power in his stang as he made the middle of the jersey field .. cant wait till the rousch and that other nascar builder ( cant think of his name ) get a pro stocker running .. yates

So, what else would you expect from a sport that has gotten ridiculously expensive to be competitive at a national level??? Professional racing is all about the money, has to be. If you want to even make the field you'd better have some mega buck sponsors behind you, and at an event you'd better have the hospitality services to cater to them, if not maybe no more big checks!!!!

On the other hand, the NMRA and NMCA both put on some great events!!! I still love being involved at my local track and competing on a Divisional level for the points and the bucks at the end of the season. Want things to go back to the way they used to be??? Ain't gonna happen in NHRA!!! It's the best of the best and it takes a HUGE bank account to be the best!!!!

The nostalgia events are great fun!!! Still, the money is starting to sneak in and take over. Run whatcha brung is always going to invite big bucks, just the nature of the beast...

Heck, go to Englishtown or any other local strip on a weekend not hosting a big event and have some real fun!!! No big lines to see a Pro, just the locals doing what they've done for years, going as fast as they can on the money they have available for racing!!!!!! Just cuz you don't like the way the Pro's do it anymore is no reason to turn your back on drag racing in it's entirety!!! For a lot of us little guys, it's still alive and well and still very, very competitive! Heck, we need all the people in the stands we can get just so maybe the payout at the end of the day might help to defray some of the expenses!!!

I started going to drag races in 1962, and have been a rabid fan for all of my life. I see several problems.

The average guy can't race at a pro level any more, even if he combines his desire with others... so the "dream" is over.

The brand identity has disappeared in Funny Car. Force can sing "Ford" 20 times at each event, but there isn't a Ford part in the car.

Fuel classes have become a fine science, and the 3-4 big teams that can do development, and share info and resources can overwhelm the smaller teams.

The cars aren't as wild & wooly as the old stick shift cars, and altereds.

Brackets don't allow cars to actually race headsup any more... which seems like a basic requirement for fast cars. WHO IS FASTEST???

The cars all look like a bottle or box of some product, and lack that glint from glamorous paint, chrome and polish. It used to be like going to a car show. Noe they are all mostly quicky paint, with vinyl stick-ons.

The Pro Stocks and Gassers (which used to be headliners) were built from real production cars!

...and many more reasons I don't care if I miss a race on TV any more. The only time I actually go to the track now is for nostalgia events.

I didn't go to Joliet last week end.

I'm so glad I was there when the magic happened and talkin to you guys let's me know I wasn't my imagination when I felt the rush of standing next to a blown Willys gasser when it started up and wishing I was old enough to drive.
"The dream in over" I'm not sure if you know it but that's a famous John Lennon quote. Yeah the dream might be over for not forgotten. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. Rock on my Hot Rod brothers!

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Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I started going to drag races in 1962, and have been a rabid fan for all of my life. I see several problems.

The average guy can't race at a pro level any more, even if he combines his desire with others... so the "dream" is over.

The brand identity has disappeared in Funny Car. Force can sing "Ford" 20 times at each event, but there isn't a Ford part in the car.

Fuel classes have become a fine science, and the 3-4 big teams that can do development, and share info and resources can overwhelm the smaller teams.

The cars aren't as wild & wooly as the old stick shift cars, and altereds.

Brackets don't allow cars to actually race headsup any more... which seems like a basic requirement for fast cars. WHO IS FASTEST???

The cars all look like a bottle or box of some product, and lack that glint from glamorous paint, chrome and polish. It used to be like going to a car show. Noe they are all mostly quicky paint, with vinyl stick-ons.

The Pro Stocks and Gassers (which used to be headliners) were built from real production cars!

...and many more reasons I don't care if I miss a race on TV any more. The only time I actually go to the track now is for nostalgia events.

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What is really a joke is that when the TV reporter interviews the winning driver after the run the guy has to put on his sponsors ball cap and then say "Yep Glenn, this little Pepsi Cola, Tampon, Dawn Dish Detergent, Cheerios, Shamwow, Dirt Devil, Ebay, WalMart Ford really performed well on that last run! ":eek: How much more commercialism can one person stand? :mad:

Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

What is really a joke is that when the TV reporter interviews the winning driver after the run the guy has to put on his sponsors ball cap and then say "Yep Glenn, this little Pepsi Cola, Tampon, Dawn Dish Detergent, Cheerios, Shamwow, Dirt Devil, Ebay, WalMart Ford really performed well on that last run! ":eek: How much more commercialism can one person stand? :mad:

Don

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No kidding. I really don't understand how that's supposed to entertain me enough to go buy the product or a T-shirt for the GOOD OF THE TEAM. Now if the driver has a cool nickname like "The Snake" or something and talks a little trash about the other driver (all in fun of course), that might get me onboard with the sponsors product.

Local track - Lebanon Valley Speedway. Every year they have a bunch of "nostalgia" cars along with their regular show plus a swap meet/car show. Even their regular cars have become boring. 322 Novas, 17 Dusters, 2 Mustangs and 1 of some other brand seems to be the norm. The nostalgia cars so far have been a few guys flogging their street rod. Can I say watching paint dry for a spectator is as much or more fun?

Should I bring up NA$CAR or will I just be ignored??:CRY:

:whacked:
Bounty Hunter
Wynn's Jammer
Grumpy's Toy
California Flash
Stardust
Brutus
Blue Max
King Fish
Motown Shaker
Winged Express
The LA Hooker
Rollin Stoned
Color Me Gone
Lawman
Motown Missile
Boston Shaker
USA -1
Pure Heaven
Pure Hell

NOW WE HAVE......

Quaker State
Ford
CoParts
DHL
Summit
Valvoline
Al-Anabi
Fram
Bla, Bla, Bla.......

It's amazing how many names I can remember when I stop and think about it. Might make a cool book if it hasn't been done already.

ADRL is great!

The Nostalgia Drags is what keeps me interested. For the last few years I have taken my Son to Morgantown PA for the Toyo Tires Nationals just to kinda keep up with the Nationals. Once a year is all I need to see them, but the Nostalgia Drags I could go to every weekend! The local track here in western NY is Empire Speedway (Formerly known as Dragway 36 & NY International). We love the old Gassers & vintage Muscle cars. Yeah, lots of things have changed over the last few decades & many things NOT for the better.

OK, so I got to ask...how many of you (other then Scooter) still race your own car or do some wrenching time on a car that is currently drag racing??? It's still fun, it's still competitive!!!! Wishing it was still the "good old days" won't change a thing, guaranteed!!! Is it commercialized? You bet it is and you'd better not forget taking care of a sponsor cuz there's a dozen other participants who would love to have him!!!! TV racing in the pro classes is still very competitive, but 3 guys with full time jobs working out of a two car garage next to the house just ain't gonna make it!!!

Want to change it? So do I!!!! Send ADRL, NMRA or one of the other non-NHRA racing organizations your money every year, support them and help it grow!!! Go to a few events even if you have to travel, what will you miss, another NSRA show with a gazillion red Deuces and half a gazillion black Deuces???? Take whatever you got for a runner and go bracket race it...then come back and say how boring and easy it is!!! It's one of the few places a guy who actually wants to be involved in drag racing can afford to compete!!! Racing is still racing and for me it's a heck of a lot more fun to participate at any level then to just sit back and complain about what a rotten job the sanctioning bodies do running their show!!!!

Sorry, but I guess I'm just tired of people complaining about how things are in the world of drag racing and not wanting to do anything about it!!!! There's a lot of things I don't like about NHRA, and whenever there's an NHRA rep at an event I make it a point to look him up and tell him what I like and don't like. I also send them my membership money every year, cuz what we have now is sure a heck of a lot better then nothing at all!!!!

Go race, it's still fun---when you're involved as a participant.....

Amen my brother Dave,amen.Heck-I don't want to go back because all these yrs I have worked so hard to get this far.

Dave, I was commenting as a spectator. I believe the OP was too. Yes, I also race. Not at the Nationals but at the locals. I own & run a '69 Mustang. I am also part of the crew of an alcohol blown & injected 6 second Top Sportsman car. (Can't pilot it as I inject for diabetes). It's the fastest C-6 tranny drag car in the world. Anyway, The local drags are great featuring nostalgia & old time gasser cars. It's the Nationals that have gotten mundane. Boring, well no, I would say it's just the same ol same ol everytime & not as exciting as in years past. But as I get older alot of things are that way. ;)

Gary, I just noticed you are in Rochester. I'm in Avon. Do you get out to the Leicester drags?
Mick

Dave, Yes, I also support financially as a sponsor. I sponsored the Pro-class for the POPS (Pony On Pony Shootout) last season. It's a local group here that runs on 3 tracks in western NY. So, Yes, I'm involved (& not complaining without helping to change & support), just not involved at the Nationals level......................yet

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Originally Posted by FORDZILLA

Dave, I was commenting as a spectator. I believe the OP was too. ;)

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So was I. When the NDRA has a large media contract and is a regular on a network, I will give my 2 cents about the job they are doing with their product for the fans as well. NHRA's top level racing is a product...not a hobby.

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Originally Posted by FORDZILLA

Dave, Yes, I also support financially as a sponsor. I sponsored the Pro-class for the POPS (Pony On Pony Shootout) last season. It's a local group here that runs on 3 tracks in western NY. So, Yes, I'm involved (& not complaining without helping to change & support), just not involved at the Nationals level......................yet

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Kewl deal!!! Pony on Pony??? a Mustang shootout of some sort?? We've talked about doing a thing like that around here, with a payout at each event and a points fund for all events--How did you guys set it up???

Dave, Here's a link to the website.

http://www.popsracing.com/

I was a sponsor last year of the Pro class along with Schillinger Racing. I wasn't involved with setting up the club. Give one of the guys in the contacts listings a yell & I'm sure they will point you in the right direction for having your own POPS racing.
Mick

Thanks Ford!!! Gonna check that out! Trying to do a deal with kind of an old time heads up racing theme based on Qucik 8 cars from each track running heads up with probably a break out time to "discourage" the sandbaggers (like me!) from saving their best runs for the money meets!!!!



Went to the POPS site!!! Looks like one heck of a neat program. Got to get to work now but definitely going to get some information on how the whole deal works... Any of you guys looking for a unique drag racing program might want to check it out!!! Could work most anywhere!!! More cars at the local tracks means more butts in the seats which means more money for payout and eventually more cars competinting!!!! Don't let drag racing at the hobbyist level die just because of a disillusionment with Pro racing!!!!!