4 Wide (2 Viewers)

[Reese]

For some reason it seems the Pro Stock drivers have had the most difficulty since the beginning of the 4 wides. And I am sure the problem could be defined and cured with some study. I am also sure it isn't the 4 wide staging system or lights.

Pro Stock Motorcycles too have difficulty.
Also I think it is a shame that Virgil has to come on here and post his résumé. Thanks for all you do and have done Virgil.

 

[TR]

Definitely hate it on tv, might be interesting live

It's much better if you record it and start watching it about an hour and fifteen minutes in. Scan through the commercials and it isn't bad to watch. Too many long commercials.

Rick

 

[Gordon]

I tune in and watch because it's a drag race and I generally enjoy drag racing in all forms... used to love but, but it's become pretty cookie cutter of late so I don't lose sleep over missing an event here and there like I used too. I have no desire to attend the 4-Wides because I've always believed that the difference between two and four nitro cars can't be so significant as to make me wanna see/hear it live. And reading posts here it seems like my thoughts are confirmed. That said, it does appear to draw a pretty hefty crowd so there is an apparent demand for it - that's the way our capitalist society is designed to work. Supply a demand as long as there's a demand. I'm okay with it even if it doesn't interest me personally.

All that aside (and I've made this argument in the past), my biggest issue with the 4-wide race is the fact that second place is considered a winner for the first two rounds. To borrow a phrase from the legendary stock car racer we all love, Ricky Bobby, "If you're not first, you're last." Drag racers have bragged for years that one of the things that makes our sport special is we don't get a second chance on Sunday - you win or go home. Period. I understand that they're doing what they have to do to fill four lanes for three rounds, I just don't think it's representative of the way our sport has been sold for so many decades. You could have a driver (and I believe we have had this happen in the past - heck, it may have happened yesterday, I didn't watch) lose the first two rounds (considered a "win" in this format because the first loser is considered a winner) and then come back and win the final round. So coming in first place one time on Sunday earns you a Wally. Nope, not a fan. It's essentially NHRA's version of NASCAR's lucky dog where the first driver a lap down gets to come back to the lead lap.

Still, as I said, I'm just one voice with an opinion and though it appears I'm not alone in that opinion, there are also many out there who do enjoy it. As long as they keep flocking to the gates, there's no reason to stop fulfilling the demand. I completely understand.

 

[camaro]

I looked back at the RT's for the 4 wide in the nitro ranks and they actually look fairly normal, so perhaps the pro stock 4 wide fiasco, swayed my opinion as far as how hard or easy it is to race 4 wide, so one could make an argument that if u cant stage a nitro car in 4 wide then u probably cant do it in 2 wide either. it sounds like I 'm being disrespectful, but i'm just a person, who tends to reserve Judgement, when I'm told a particular task is easy, by someone who's never had a 'first person' experienced, themselves. a good Example is the occasional debate about which is harder to drive, a nitro car or a pro stocker. well if warren Johnson tells me its a pro stocker and don prudhome(sp) says it a funny car, I honestly wouldn't take what either one says as gospel. I would be better served if I asked Dave Connolly or Johnny Gray for their opion to that particular question

 

[Jer]

At least pro stock got some airtime this weekend!

 

[Butch]

Another option to this race could be to have only two cars race each other.
Left two lanes run each other, and Right two lanes race. Running all four at once.
Or run separately firing the second pair as soon as the win light comes on in the other pair. This eliminating the normal down time clearing the track of cars or checking for debris.

 

[PJ]

Another option to this race could be to have only two cars race each other.
Left two lanes run each other, and Right two lanes race. Running all four at once.
Or run separately firing the second pair as soon as the win light comes on in the other pair. This eliminating the normal down time clearing the track of cars or checking for debris.

A few issues with that. The launch of the one set of lanes, would cause drivers in the other lanes to launch. It was an issue during the Winston showdown days. The dragsters had to give the FC a head start which lead to some issues.
Waiting for the win light to come on, then starting isn't really going to save much time. Also they couldn't hurry that up too much as they don't have live nitro cars running while other cars are in the way down track. Even if on the other lanes.

 

[Gipraw]

I like watching it. I do think that when a driver redlights it gives a slight advantage to the driver farthest away from that driver and penalizes the other driver on that tree slightly.

 

[SoCal Racer]

The loudness of 4 fuel cars could be interesting in person, but on TV it's a drag racing clusterf**k. I don't like that there's so much confusion, or that drivers are told by NHRA to not make any disparaging comments about it. Like others I watch every race - except the 4-wides only once every several years. But don't let that keep those of you who like it from watching.

 

[Andy]

I don't like it. Yesterday was a joke! Crazy reaction times, a lot of the drivers look like they are confused. TV coverage is poor also. It's just hard to follow on TV. It was quick to watch on the DVR though. Myself I wouldn't pay to attend.

 

[Chili]

It's just too hard to follow. Both the track announcers and fox announcers have a hard time giving play by play. On TV they had a hard time doing the "play by play". In round one they seemed lost that Ike Maier was leading Schumacher and that Tony passed in the last hundred feet. After the completion of the runs they were silent waiting for the graphics to pop up and tell us who won. At the track they had no idea that Force tagged the wall and was a DQ. Several times they announced a competitor was out in he sportsman classes and then he was running again the next round.

It's even confusing for the teams. In the TAD final, Justin Ashley's team was celebrating and high diving following a loss. Shawn Cowies team looked confused as well from what I could tell.

I watch it because it is drag racing. It's an event I won't attend but would love to go to Charlotte for the countdown race. If they ever make Vegas four wide I would ce and then make my decision on future years.

 

[Chili]

Also for the first time all year there was full fields in all the pro classes. They must not hate it too much.

 

[mick]

Also for the first time all year there was full fields in all the pro classes. They must not hate it too much.

and no gilbertson in FC and herbert in TF.....i know it's been a few years for herbert, but gilby used to run this race most years.
now what nhra should do at this event only is allow more time between pro rounds as they are completed so much faster. they should eliminate the sportsmen differently at this race so there are more left on sunday, providing extra time between rounds for fans to be in pits, in midway, at souvenir stands, at food vendors.....and the time between the anthem and the final round is the same as
any other nat. event. let them get out of their seats, there's nothing to buy when the pro rounds go so fast you can't get out of the bleachers for a least an hour.

 

[mikebcurve]

I would say the issue with pro stock has to do with rpms at launch. By the time you realizes a driver is going to time out the tree comes down and you are at idle. I remember Mike Edwards saying you can't just sit there with the rpms up for long without damaging something.

 

[FABMAN]

I would say the issue with pro stock has to do with rpms at launch. By the time you realizes a driver is going to time out the tree comes down and you are at idle. I remember Mike Edwards saying you can't just sit there with the rpms up for long without damaging something.

Valve Springs !!!!