Again? Really?

[yoda]

How can the POINTS LEADER of such a major Motorsport be in this position?

...unless money being spent by the series sanctioning body- and all their participating sponsors- is being spent in the wrong places....

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/10937451/espnw-déjà-vu-nhra-erica-enders-stevens

 

[Jeff]

This has happened since the inception of motorsports. It is extremely rare for the owner and/or driver to not be a major contributor to the financial underpinnings of a racing team. The numbers are the numbers, without the following that gambling brings,the high cost sports (typically non stick/ball) are very dependent on the owner/driver considering this part business, mainly hobby ..... and generally having some other obvious means of financial support.

 

[Nunz]

Exactly right Jeff, this is really a simple conversation. The numbers are the numbers. Problem is, sponsorships keep getting tougher to land, purses are stagnant, and costs continue climb. Not a formula for increased participation.

 

[Dave]

To be honest, with the success they have already had, it's no big deal. Right now Jimmy Alund is 10th in points and he's done. So Larry Morgan is moving up. That puts 12th place Rodger Brogdon as the main one to knock Erica out. He's 369 points back. He'd have to qualify and average one round win per race and her not show up at all in order to displace her. That doesn't even include the fact that she is already running Atlanta. Safe bet they could take the entire summer off and come back in the fall and run for the money.

 

[mw6789]

To quote James Carville, "It's the economy, stupid". And I am certainly not calling any of the posters stupid. But the economy sucks and as said earlier, sponsorships are increasingly harder to come by and the price of playing goes higher and higher. Be real interesting to know how many of the national touring teams in NHRA's top categories are fully funded with outside money.

 

[Treeshaker]

It isn't the economy. Most companies just laugh you out of their offices when you say you are racing in NHRA events. Terrible TV package, only difference in the show from week to week is the location, terrible ethics by NHRA management, poor purses, etc., etc..

 

[Paul]

It's not the economy, this isn't 2008 anymore. Most areas have recovered from the Great Recession (except maybe Detroit). IMO, NHRA needs to work on the presentation of the product and think outside of the box to get more people tuning in and coming to the track.

 

[Nunz]

The economy certainly affects crowds and sportsman participation. But the business model of pro drag racing hasn't worked in decades, IMO. Even during the best economic periods, we have never had an easy time attracting big, full pull deals. And now, going forward, does anyone really expect any announcements of multi-year, multimillion dollar deals? As I type this, I'm thinking about how many threads have been started on this topic.

 

[FABMAN]

Virgils statement is right on, NHRA poor ethics. I know there is no comparison between Nascar and NHRA and there has been talk about promoting the driver or the car that in trying to attract younger crowds and sponsors. Warner Bros just signed a contract with Hendrick Motorsports, can you imagine cartoons with Dale JR,, Gordon and so on. That is called marketing and NHRA doesn't have a clue. If Erica success was in Nascar it would be mind boggling where the marketing would lead to unlimited proportion. She's a hit and I hope someone helps her get it done

 

[MM]

Virgins?

 

[JF]

Maybe if some of these teams started spending money like a sportsman racer, then it would go a little farther. Eat at the track with food you brought, Put more people in the hotel room, less crew, less rental cars, Ride to race don't fly. It all adds up. I see to many "Pro" teams staying at high dollar hotels, 5 star restaurants and the bitching about the high cost of racing. The Greek has a dually and a gooseneck and he's racing and I don't believe he isn't winning because of that. There are hundreds of "Volunteer" crew guys that would love to help out for Free. You can't use all free crew but 1 or 2 can change a tire. As for sponsors, maybe get your ego out of your ass and ask for a lot less and then build on it with multiple companies.

 

[FABMAN]

Virgins?

Is that better

 

[rckymtn3]

It's not the economy, this isn't 2008 anymore. Most areas have recovered from the Great Recession (except maybe Detroit). IMO, NHRA needs to work on the presentation of the product and think outside of the box to get more people tuning in and coming to the track.

Not to make this an economics lesson or discussion, but "recovered" is a bit strong a term to define what can only be seen as a lesser version of the original, and each subsequent failure in the future of our system will find us returning, but at an ever-decreasing level of prosperity. Job numbers look good on paper, but if you turn the page you find less and less of what America was built on, and that is manufacturing. We import darn near everything because it's cheaper, and we're paying the price. The only thing we seem to export is decent jobs. A few more cycles of this trend and there will be two class of Americans. Those who make money, and those that serve those that make money.

I know there is no comparison between Nascar and NHRA and there has been talk about promoting the driver or the car that in trying to attract younger crowds and sponsors.

I still think the cars are the stars. Period. If not racing, why would I tune in to find out who has a better Semi interior?

Great short article points out a lot about NASCAR but is equally applicable to NHRA...

http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...is-turning-off-fans-both-old-and-new/4648597/

Best sentence which I believe is inherent to the failing interest:

"Instead of asking themselves, "is changing the points system a good idea?" NASCAR officials ask themselves, "will people pay more attention to us if we do this?" Instead of focusing on being the best NASCAR it can be for NASCAR fans, NASCAR seems to want to be the best NASCAR it can be for non-NASCAR fans."

 

[FABMAN]

The car maybe so when Dale JR takes the lead the crowd goes crazy put someone else in the 88 nobody would give a damn, look how response has been on the #3 not much. I say fans relate more to the driver, years ago fans like the naming of race cars but corporate took that away.

 

[FABMAN]

The car maybe so when Dale JR takes the lead the crowd goes crazy put someone else in the 88 nobody would give a damn, look how response has been on the #3 not much. I say fans relate more to the driver, years ago fans like the naming of race cars but corporate took that away.

 

[rckymtn3]

,

The car maybe so when Dale JR takes the lead the crowd goes crazy put someone else in the 88 nobody would give a damn, look how response has been on the #3 not much. I say fans relate more to the driver, years ago fans like the naming of race cars but corporate took that away.

Well for one thing, there's fans, then there's racing fans. I think we speak of two different types of enthusiasts. John Force wouldn't be John Force without the car, and John never made the car go faster. A driver doesn't push the loud pedal down further to go faster (I am currently laughing as I imagine Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap explaining the amp going to "11"). Chicken or the egg? Not really, as without the fast car, John Force would be that obnoxious guy selling stereos at Crazy Eddie's. I want to pull the race fan card from everyone that cares more about the driver than the car, but that's me. Really, I was speaking for myself, and didn't heap on all race fans to my argument. Enjoy your social media lovefest all you want. I'll be in the pits trying to dodge all the star struck autograph hounds just to get a peek at the actual thoroughbred.

 

[FABMAN]

I think the race car has to be in the equation, Hell I'm one of the most technical mater on here I've Raced and built cars since I was able to drive. Sorry the car would be nothing without the driver. Don't know if there has ever been a survey on this topic but it would be interesting to see how it falls.

 

[Toejam]

It's not the economy, this isn't 2008 anymore. Most areas have recovered from the Great Recession (except maybe Detroit). IMO, NHRA needs to work on the presentation of the product and think outside of the box to get more people tuning in and coming to the track.

Paul, we have over 92 Million adults NOT working in this Country, the highest since 1977! My income is still down 20-25% from 2008! I definitely think the economy or lack there of is in play!

 

[vegasnitro]

Paul, we have over 92 Million adults NOT working in this Country, the highest since 1977! My income is still down 20-25% from 2008! I definitely think the economy or lack there of is in play!

I am in the same boat Joe. Took me 9 months to find a job with more responsibilities for less pay ... And I had to move 2000 miles back to Vegas to get it.

I would also like to think that people (particularly families) have learned some financial lessons over the past few years, like carrying less debt, spending less frivolously, etc. Unfortunately for entertainment dollar driven industries like NHRA, that cuts out a lot of people out of the equation.

I also think what Paul Miller is saying has merit. It is not all the economy's fault. The NHRAs primary fan base is old and only getting older, there have been changes to the sport that has chased some fans away and there is just a natural attrition rate where people move on to other things. NHRA does not seem to have mitigated any of these factors yet.

 

[mw6789]

I too agree it may not be totally the economy, but I can assure you the economy is not back to pre 2008 levels for any of the middle class.