MESA, Ariz. — Because NHRA President Glen Cromwell doesn’t have an annual State of the Sport visit with the media like NASCAR executives Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell have done, maybe this column can help.
It’s as simple as 1-2-3-4-5.
1. Bright News Item
The drag-racing world is starting to ease back into its proper orbit. Icon John Force, out of commission since his June 23 accident made him a prisoner to a traumatic brain injury diagnosis, was back on the East Coast, at Florida’s Bradenton Motorsports Park. None of his three drivers won the PRO Superstar Shootout, but it didn’t matter.
Force declared, “To tell you the truth, this is the first time since Richmond I really felt alive again. We didn’t win, but I was excited just to be where I need to be, running my teams and supporting . . . all our [marketing] partners. I can’t wait to get to Gainesville [for the March 7-9 season-starting Gatornationals]. My wife told me I needed to get back in the game, and being here in Bradenton was just good for my heart. Watching everybody work, watching the cars and the teams, and seeing old friends like Capps, it was just special.”
2. Smart Maneuvers
Finally, the leaders by the conclusion of the U.S. Nationals – aka the Countdown’s top seeds or the “regular-season” champions – will receive a monetary bonus and not just 10 extra points to start the six-race playoffs.
In announcing its $25 million total purse Jan. 29, the NHRA included a fund of “nearly $400,000” to be shared among the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle classes. So that indicates it won’t be an equal split, but the sanctioning body hasn’t provided a breakdown yet. At least the NHRA decided to honor those drivers’ efforts, especially considering that winning the “regular season” title is no guarantee of a series crown.
In less than half of the 18 years of the Countdown, across all four pro categories, has the “regular-season” champ won the top prize money at year’s end.
The NHRA cooperated last year with the Virginia Motorsports Park owners to make the Virginia Nationals, near Richmond, a two-day event rather than the traditional three. The schedule called for three qualifying sessions Saturday and eliminations Sunday. It was a success, and the parties agreed to try it again this June.
3. Blunders
Despite the odd timing of the Peach State Showcase of Speed exhibition in October at Valdosta, Ga., and the nutty idea to make the Charlotte Countdown race a four-wide affair, the NHRA is trying new ideas. That would be even more admirable if the decisions were better thought out.
The NHRA clearly didn’t value the knowledge and talent of longtime public-address announcer and event emcee Alan Reinhart, who addressed his departure after 30-plus valuable years in the sport as an impasse in contract negotiations.
Even with growing disdain from racers and fans for the Countdown and its “participation trophy” criticism, the NHRA continues to stick with the NASCAR Chase knock-off that has been a flawed system (one that includes a gimmicky points-and-a-half twist at the Finals) since it started in 2007.
4. Concerns
The NHRA ought to be cocking an eyebrow at the rejuvenation of the International Hot Rod Ass’n. Ohio entrepreneur Darryl Cuttel gained ownership of the once-thriving rival of the NHRA and promised the IHRA’s return to the series’ former glory, including the return of professional nitro racing. Ironically, the IHRA’s new Vice-President of Racing Operations is . . . ta-DAH . . . Alan Reinhart.
The new IHRA President is Rich Schaefer, a former NHRA Division 2 Director. Young financial specialist Alex Roach is the IHRA’s new CEO. And the organization recently added Christian Byrd, a second-generation protégé of the late motorsports mogul Bruton Smith.
With Professional Racers Owners Organization also flexing some muscle with a second successful PRO Superstar Shootout already in the books, the NHRA might want to scramble to fill the marketplace void it is causing.
Losing key drivers, even through no fault of NHRA’s policies, could be a problem this season. Will the NHRA lose its appeal without the always-entertaining, 16-time champion, 157-time winner John Force in his groove?
Will three-time Funny Car champ Robert Hight ever return to the dragstrip after a curious absence the team refers to as “medical leave”?
Will Steve and/or Billy Torrence return to Top Fuel? Will eight-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, who has more victories than anyone in class history (88), get sponsorship enough to return to action?
Showing people who the drivers are, promoting their personalities, is something that would serve the NHRA well. But IndyCar – new to the TV network that has broadcast drag racing since 2016 – beat the NHRA to it.
The NTT IndyCar Series has received a huge preseason boost from FOX Sports/FS1. Its promo ads featuring Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward so far, embedded in the commercials lineup during NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl, are quick-paced, comical, energetic and stirring.
5. Reasons To Stay Excited
NHRA drag racing is an engineering marvel. Nitro cars blast the length of three football fields in less than four seconds at more than 340 mph now, from a standing-still start.
Drivers are accessible. Every ticket is a pit pass.
It’s family friendly.
It’s a perfect example of performance under pressure. It has no pit stops, so second chances, no extra time to make up for mistakes – everything has to be perfect for three to four seconds or a driver is out of the conversation.
With no fewer than 17 classes, it offers something for everyone – and it’s something anyone with a car and an NHRA competition license can do.
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