4 Wide Earns Highest ESPN NHRA Rating since 2009 (3 Viewers)

[Rajunz]

Yeah, I don't know if it was Hagan's explosion or not. However, I will say that many of my friends who know next to nothing about the NHRA know about the 4 wide event.

Like it or not, it's here to stay for a while, so for those of you who really get your panties in a twist about it, and can't seem to have a civil discussion about it, you're gonna have to square with it.

I have to agree. I had many friends contact me over the weekend that are very casual fans, saying how they were watching it, and how cool (or crazy) they thought it was.

 

[Jimbo]

Jim: here's my freedom of choice; I believe that you're an ass!!!

And since you don't know anything about me, your post have little to no value...

 

[Ugly one]

Rather watch the concrete driveway dry than watch 4-wide.
It's more exciting and no oil downs, just an occasional drip.

 

[Crew Chief Pro]

I can't wait until next year, love to race at that track.

Funny that all the negative comments are made by non racers.... You "wantabees" crack the real racers up.

Don't like the 4 wides? Then don't go to them. You must be liberals is all I can say. Conservatives would simply not go to the show, plus we don't throw a fit and fall on the ground crying like a child.

I love the spectacle. First time I heard 4 at a time I nearly jumped out of my skin. Sound was simply amazing.

OK back to your regular programming....

 

[Toejam]

I have never watched a 4 wide race on TV. Every 4 wide pass that I have ever seen has been on Youtube or some other website. And now that I think about it, I only watched one "eliminations" broadcast during the entire season last year. And I have watched exactly zero racing so far this year.

There was a time when I would attend 3 or 4 national events per year. (along with a handful of divisional events) 2007 was the last time I attended more than one national event per season. This year I am considering not attending any national events for the first time in probably 20 years..... not even Brainerd, my home race!

Between the Countdown, 1000 foot racing, and 2 teams (Schumacher and Force) pretty much dominating the fields I feel the racing has become so stale and boring that it's almost painful to watch.

As far as I'm concerned, Nostalgia Funny Car is THE category to watch (or be involved with) in all of drag racing. This season I plan to attend as many nostalgia events as I can. Any money that I would normally spend attending the "big show" will now be spent traveling to nostalgia events.

Sorry my post was a bit off topic. lol

Well your certainly not the only one!

 

[n/a]

Here is a question. Why the hell do most of you continue to watch 4 wide? Something to whine about? That was two questions. Wow. Some of you remind me of my ex ole lady.

 

[FC138fan]

Funny how people get so bent out of shape for this race. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

It's something different, wish they would bring back the Funnycar vs Top Fuel race too.

I guess the only thing is maybe it should be an optional race. If racers have a problem with it, then don't run.

If I were a racer, and money wasn't an issue, I would love to do that race, for the fun of it and for bragging rights.

If this race were within a reasonable driving distance, Id go there, if nothing else to see a different spin on things.

 

[rckymtn3]

Between the Countdown, 1000 foot racing, and 2 teams (Schumacher and Force) pretty much dominating the fields I feel the racing has become so stale and boring that it's almost painful to watch.

As far as I'm concerned, Nostalgia Funny Car is THE category to watch (or be involved with) in all of drag racing. This season I plan to attend as many nostalgia events as I can.

Same here...I've been a fan since my chubby lil legs could walk. I hung up my NHRA spurs quite some time ago. I found the familiar "real" racer feeling in drag boat racing.....the pits were welcoming, not overcrowded, and welcoming (welcoming for your interest, not your money)....I imagine the nostalgia cars give people that same feeling. And I heard they do dry-hops and dry-launches? If that's true, that was always the most exciting "dance" the cars would do before staging....really built up the crowd....

Funny that all the negative comments are made by non racers.... You "wantabees" crack the real racers up.

Don't like the 4 wides? Then don't go to them. You must be liberals is all I can say. Conservatives would simply not go to the show, plus we don't throw a fit and fall on the ground crying like a child.

not sure what to say to that.....other than you must be a real piece of work....bringing up politics? seriously? .....on the ground crying like a child? you're the type that starts a fight then screams "I was kidding, I was kidding"

Here is a question. Why the hell do most of you continue to watch 4 wide? Something to whine about? That was two questions. Wow. Some of you remind me of my ex ole lady.

call her, tell her we have something in common.....and whining is usually baseless complaining....I think anyone that has discussed this topic has explained themselves and their opinion....except you....

Funny how people get so bent out of shape for this race. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

It's something different, wish they would bring back the Funnycar vs Top Fuel race too.

again, I thought this was a discussion board, not a bj board...you want someone to agree with you that one of the most important racecars in NHRA's history is the little red wagon, you're bound to have a few that disagree....

 

[Jon Asher]

Wow! I’m kind of amazed at some of the statements in this thread.

Ratings can’t be “adjusted” as has ben suggested. They are what they are, as they come from Nielsen. Yes, differing methodology will produce different results, such as comparing national ratings numbers to “coverage area ratings,” which may sound alike but are very different. NHRA and ESPN, for that matter, have zero control over the numbers that Nielsen puts out, and to suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate.

The only competing programming that counts is other motorsports telecasts on the same day. In essence, NHRA “won” Sunday because the Cup Series ran on Saturday night. But the 4-wide easily eclipsed the IndyCar coverage from Long Beach, and that’s important, because the perception remains that IndyCar is “bigger” than NHRA Drag Racing. It isn’t, period.

Yes, the Indy 500 telecast will make any drag race look bad by comparison, but that is one broadcast of one race. If NHRA “wins” the ratings “war” every other weekend, some members of the media may have to re-think their on-going opposition to covering drag racing.

No one is suggesting that NHRA Drag Racing is going to out-perform the Little League World Series. It’s not a legitimate comparison. Now, if you can prove that an ADRL telecast, or a Truck race trounces the drags on TV, that’s something else.

Whether or not you like the 4-wide is irrelevant to the topic of TV ratings. Regardless of the reasoning, a helluva lot more people watched the Charlotte race than they did the Long Beach IndyCar race.

Yeah, I wrote this, but maybe you should check it out:

Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine - NHRA OUT-PERFORMS INDYCAR ON TV

Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com

 

[Toejam]

Wow! I’m kind of amazed at some of the statements in this thread.

Ratings can’t be “adjusted” as has ben suggested. They are what they are, as they come from Nielsen. Yes, differing methodology will produce different results, such as comparing national ratings numbers to “coverage area ratings,” which may sound alike but are very different. NHRA and ESPN, for that matter, have zero control over the numbers that Nielsen puts out, and to suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate.

The only competing programming that counts is other motorsports telecasts on the same day. In essence, NHRA “won” Sunday because the Cup Series ran on Saturday night. But the 4-wide easily eclipsed the IndyCar coverage from Long Beach, and that’s important, because the perception remains that IndyCar is “bigger” than NHRA Drag Racing. It isn’t, period.

Yes, the Indy 500 telecast will make any drag race look bad by comparison, but that is one broadcast of one race. If NHRA “wins” the ratings “war” every other weekend, some members of the media may have to re-think their on-going opposition to covering drag racing.

No one is suggesting that NHRA Drag Racing is going to out-perform the Little League World Series. It’s not a legitimate comparison. Now, if you can prove that an ADRL telecast, or a Truck race trounces the drags on TV, that’s something else.

Whether or not you like the 4-wide is irrelevant to the topic of TV ratings. Regardless of the reasoning, a helluva lot more people watched the Charlotte race than they did the Long Beach IndyCar race.

Yeah, I wrote this, but maybe you should check it out:

Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine - NHRA OUT-PERFORMS INDYCAR ON TV

Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com

Good article Jpn, especially the Juston Beiber Nobel Peace prize...lol!

 

[Wayne]

And since you don't know anything about me, your post have little to no value...

For all I know Jim you are my fave racer's best friend! Say what you want but don't be so high & mighty; it turns people off.
IMHO, your posts have too much attitude!!!

Have a nice day!

Valueless post #2.

 

[Dave]

Wow! I’m kind of amazed at some of the statements in this thread.

Ratings can’t be “adjusted” as has ben suggested. They are what they are, as they come from Nielsen. Yes, differing methodology will produce different results, such as comparing national ratings numbers to “coverage area ratings,” which may sound alike but are very different. NHRA and ESPN, for that matter, have zero control over the numbers that Nielsen puts out, and to suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate.

The only competing programming that counts is other motorsports telecasts on the same day. In essence, NHRA “won” Sunday because the Cup Series ran on Saturday night. But the 4-wide easily eclipsed the IndyCar coverage from Long Beach, and that’s important, because the perception remains that IndyCar is “bigger” than NHRA Drag Racing. It isn’t, period.

Yes, the Indy 500 telecast will make any drag race look bad by comparison, but that is one broadcast of one race. If NHRA “wins” the ratings “war” every other weekend, some members of the media may have to re-think their on-going opposition to covering drag racing.

No one is suggesting that NHRA Drag Racing is going to out-perform the Little League World Series. It’s not a legitimate comparison. Now, if you can prove that an ADRL telecast, or a Truck race trounces the drags on TV, that’s something else.

Whether or not you like the 4-wide is irrelevant to the topic of TV ratings. Regardless of the reasoning, a helluva lot more people watched the Charlotte race than they did the Long Beach IndyCar race.

Yeah, I wrote this, but maybe you should check it out:

Competition Plus - Drag Racing Magazine - NHRA OUT-PERFORMS INDYCAR ON TV

Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com

I really kind of hate to be a stick in the mud but, nobody has cared for IRL/IndyCar for years. They lost relevance when they split in 96, and finally wained off completely in about 2002. Yes I agree the Indy 500 is THE major draw, but this is no major victory for the NHRA. The IndyCar Series isn't on sportscenter or the nightly news any more than NHRA is. It only garners attention when there is a huge accident or fatality, just like any other niche motorsport. This is like a bully beating the crap out of a nerd his whole life, then the bully suffers a stroke and paralyzing injuries and the nerd pushes the incapacitated bully out of his wheelchair and acting like it's some major defeat. NHRA didn't rise up to beat the IndyCar Series. The IndyCar series turned to **** and is down to NHRA's level. Let's compare it to some NASCAR ratings then we'll talk. Hell compare it to weekly sitcoms for that matter. Those are tragic numbers for the NHRA and the fact that it is UP 27% over last year is even more sad. That my friends, is where the positive PR spin comes from. Nothing to do with 4 wide at all.

 

[SoCal Racer]

And as the thread gradually winds its way back on-topic ...

Well the 4 wide haters are not going to like this, 4-Wide Ntls earns best #NHRA rating on ESPN2 since '09 with 0.6 HH cvg rtg, best rating & most-viewed program all day on ESPN2. Good news!! Guess you can bet on seeing 4 wide in the years to come with this kind of news.

Must have been a slow sports day

It may have been the most watched yet, but it would have had several more viewers in this house if it was a 2-wide race. Missed it completely in 2009, watched about 3 runs in 2010 and said "this is BS" and turned it off. Skipped it completely in 2011, but I tried to give it a chance this year and DVR'd it. I ended up watching about 3 runs and fast forwarded through the rest to see the final rounds because I wanted to see who got points/has momentum going into Houston. 4-wide just seems like a freak show to me and doesn't represent the essence of the sport, which is mano-a-mano to see who has the baddest hot rod.

 

[Toejam]

I really kind of hate to be a stick in the mud but, nobody has cared for IRL/IndyCar for years. They lost relevance when they split in 96, and finally wained off completely in about 2002. Yes I agree the Indy 500 is THE major draw, but this is no major victory for the NHRA. The IndyCar Series isn't on sportscenter or the nightly news any more than NHRA is. It only garners attention when there is a huge accident or fatality, just like any other niche motorsport. This is like a bully beating the crap out of a nerd his whole life, then the bully suffers a stroke and paralyzing injuries and the nerd pushes the incapacitated bully out of his wheelchair and acting like it's some major defeat. NHRA didn't rise up to beat the IndyCar Series. The IndyCar series turned to **** and is down to NHRA's level. Let's compare it to some NASCAR ratings then we'll talk. Hell compare it to weekly sitcoms for that matter. Those are tragic numbers for the NHRA and the fact that it is UP 27% over last year is even more sad. That my friends, is where the positive PR spin comes from. Nothing to do with 4 wide at all.

Yeah the sports Dead, NHRA needs to just close up shop!

 

[rckymtn3]

Ratings can’t be “adjusted” as has ben suggested. They are what they are, as they come from Nielsen. In essence, NHRA “won” Sunday because the Cup Series ran on Saturday night. But

Whether or not you like the 4-wide is irrelevant to the topic of TV ratings. Regardless of the reasoning, a helluva lot more people watched the Charlotte race than they did the Long Beach IndyCar race.
Jon Asher

Maybe someone suggested adjusting, not sure if someone did, but statistically speaking, numbers can be made....Nielsen themselves say it's an imperfect sampling (numerous programs slated for the ax turn out to be watched by far more people than their ratings suggest, or vice-versa) and that's the data that can be interpreted "incorrectly" As you stated yourself, yelling from the mountain top that the race got the highest rating was really a hollow victory, no surprise, NASCUP was sat night, trucks were at the Rock, Indy was at Long Beach (and, I watched both, IRL live, NHRA delayed broadcast, neither DVR'd) Your choice if you had control of your TV in a Nielsen household was the Drags, or most likely some snoozer car auction or a goober with "I want to be cool so very badly" tattoos customizing cars by watching his crew glue stuff on....so, no surprise NHRA got some action....and no surprise that the Nielsen rating is a poor barometer of the health of a sport.

I really kind of hate to be a stick in the mud but, nobody has cared for IRL/IndyCar for years.

And that's the truth, and the IRL did it to themselves.....ChampCar/CART/IRL...it all became such a mess....the George's thought (again with the NASCAR envy) that going all-ovals is what people wanted, low and behold, some stayed with IRL, some moved to ChampCar, and when one eventually lost the fight, here we are, right back where it began, with a bunch of street courses, road courses, and some ovals...they messed-up....and lost a lot of folks in the meantime.....the IRL couldn't win the fans back....F1 became their new friend...NHRA is following in those footsteps....I guess some folks don't believe the philosophy ""Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - Santayana

 

[Dave]

Yeah the sports Dead, NHRA needs to just close up shop!

I didn't say it was dead, i'm saying outside of you and your group of friends, nobody in mainstream america gives a crap about NHRA. That doesn't mean it should just stop existing.

 

[Toejam]

I didn't say it was dead, i'm saying outside of you and your group of friends, nobody in mainstream america gives a crap about NHRA. That doesn't mean it should just stop existing.

But that is why NHRA should just throw in the towel, if it can't compete with NASCAR what's the use! Chapter 11 might be coming sooner than you think!

 

[Dave]

But that is why NHRA should just throw in the towel, if it can't compete with NASCAR what's the use! Chapter 11 might be coming sooner than you think!

At least you'll be there to photograph the funeral!

 

[Toejam]

At least you'll be there to photograph the funeral!

You bet...

 

[Nunz]

I thought that was a great article by Asher, and really showed some encouraging numbers. We are not living in an easy time, for any business, and the business of motorsports included. So I would take any sign of growth or improvement, in any area of the sport, as great news. But it seems that many here, and on other boards, while they proclaim to love the sport, prefer to look at everything from a "glass half empty" perspective. Is everything in drag racing today perfect? Nope. Is NHRA doing everything right? Nope. But there is a lot going on that is extremely positive. How about Traxxas coming on board, AND bringing back shootouts? How about the continued HUGE support by the Lucas family? The DeJorias? Jegs? And on and on. Ever look at what's happening outside the "Big Show"? All kinds of outlaw series', IHRA Nitro Jams packing the stands, and the growing nostalgia movement, particularly the Nitro Nostalgia FCs, where there are new cars being built seemingly every week. Oh, what about race ready muscle cars being built by the factories? I'll take a positive TV rating anytime, and any other good news that comes along. Ever think that maybe someday we'll look back on this time in drag racing history as "the good old days"?