chicago 2024 (2 Viewers)

[mick]

rt. side bleachers were pretty full yesterday (sunday). how many do you think attended? my guess is about 10-12k. not very good
for such a large market. puzzling why this race doesn't draw more.

 

[mick]

after hagan won FC, the starting line interview with dickie v., usually tony can be seen with him, or near him. didn't see him. i'm wondering if TS, after his first round loss,
didn't cut and fly over to the brickyard for that action yesterday afternoon. kyle larson to do the indy/nascar deal on 5/26, same as tony once did.

edit: wrong guess: tony in victory circle photo w/FC team

 

[vern]

How much of the sparse crowd can be put to a lack of advertising in the weeks prior to the event? At a track that NHRA does not own, who is responsible for advertising? NHRA? Or the track owner? We don't see anywhere near the advertising of upcoming events that we used to, since the whole advertising landscape has changed. But I can't but think this is part of the problem at a place like Chicago.

How much of the sparse crowd can be put to a lack of advertising in the weeks prior to the event? At a track that NHRA does not own, who is responsible for advertising? NHRA? Or the track owner? We don't see anywhere near the advertising of upcoming events that we used to, since the whole advertising landscape has changed. But I can't but think this is part of the problem at a place like Chicago.

I live 30 minutes from the track and drive a ton for work. There wasn't a single billboard on any of the expessways. I-80, 294 ,355 or I-57. I did see some ads on social media. Force was on a a radio sports station and Tony & Leah were on local TV stations.

 

[yoda]

Is there a curfew? Based on the issues cars were having in the heat, I'm curious if a night race wouldn't be better for performance AND attracting a crowd...

 

[twostep]

rt. side bleachers were pretty full yesterday (sunday). how many do you think attended? my guess is about 10-12k. not very good
for such a large market. puzzling why this race doesn't draw more.

I believe part of the problem is thanks to the political landscape both in Washington and after years of local Chicago politicians arguably destroying a once-great city, people in that area don't have any disposable money. It'll cost a family of 4 $500 to attend a Sunday race at Joliet, by the time you add up admission, parking, fuel there and back, food and a souvenir or two.

 

[mick]

it would be interesting to take poll of spectators at nat. events; to know where they are from / how far they drove to attend / whether single or multi-day / whether camping on-site or nearby.
everything is expensive and costs way more than it did 10 years ago. i would argue that inflation in general has eroded folk's disposable income. the entertainment dollar has shrank,
not to mention monthly costs for cell phones, internet, and TV packages.

 

[T.Smith]

I believe part of the problem is thanks to the political landscape both in Washington and after years of local Chicago politicians arguably destroying a once-great city, people in that area don't have any disposable money. It'll cost a family of 4 $500 to attend a Sunday race at Joliet, by the time you add up admission, parking, fuel there and back, food and a souvenir or two.

Carl, you are full of it. It has been documented, the cost of NHRA tickets for the last 50 years, aren't any more expensive than what they were in 1970.

People don't go to that race because they have other things they'd rather be doing.

Why don't you ask some of your fellow Maters what they spend to go to NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL games....ask them as well what they spend to take their kids to Great America, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH or Disneyland for a day?...Or how much do they spend for their kids to play on club or AAU sports teams?

Save your money and choose where you want to spend your entertainment dollars, quit choosing to be dumb and making excuses.

 

[moonpies88]

I think i paid about 160.00-170.00 for 4 tickets (did the black friday special) parking was free. Spent to much money on water though. Brought a small cooler with water but a small cooler doesn't fit alot of water for 4 people

 

[Nappy]

Is there a noise ordinance affecting this track? They need to adopt the Nelson Hoyos no problem Raceway school of thought, and have more stuff there. I mean, amazing facility. I don’t know why these tracks, with the exception of maybe Pomona and a couple of others, can’t have cars on it every weekend. These tracks should not be sitting idle 51 weeks out of the year. Extremely valuable real estate, and excellent facilities, this is no way to make money.

I’m sure it’s more complicated than this, but Just my thought, if there’s a problem with my approach, please let me know.

When the original owners had it, there were events almost every weekend, and test and tune 1 or 2 nights a week during the months the weather allowed. Now the current owners don't want nothing there. Many people I know wish they would sell it. then it could return to what it was built for, especially for local racers.

 

[aakar]

When the original owners had it, there were events almost every weekend, and test and tune 1 or 2 nights a week during the months the weather allowed. Now the current owners don't want nothing there. Many people I know wish they would sell it. then it could return to what it was built for, especially for local racers.

The original owner (Dale Coyne) was only there the first few years, though. Bought by ISC, who could care less about it, is when all the issues started.
New great owners could probably turn it around, perfect example was watching Gateway become a top track after years of neglect

 

[Chili]

I’m just thankful that the owners are willing to rent it out to NHRA so we can have a Chicago national event on the schedule. It appears that the dirt track is used as well. It’s sad that the drag strip only gets used once a year but it’s better than none.

 

[twostep]

Carl, you are full of it. It has been documented, the cost of NHRA tickets for the last 50 years, aren't any more expensive than what they were in 1970.

People don't go to that race because they have other things they'd rather be doing.

Indeed. Most people living in Chicago would rather spend that kind of money, or more, to take their family to a Bears or a Cubs game rather than a once-a-year, lightly promoted national event drag race. IF you hear about the race AND you enjoy the sport AND you have the extra disposable cash, then you might go. If you don't, then the stick-'n-ball games likely take precedent. That's all I'm saying. People have priorities and if the extra money isn't there, something gets crossed off the list.

You, of all people, should know what it costs to attend a drag race. Adjusting for inflation, no, the tickets are no more expensive but come on, man - don't suggest I'm full of it by saying a family of 4 is going to spend a minimum of $500 to attend a national event for a day.

Copy/paste. Per person, just for the admission ticket:

"How much are Texas Motorplex tickets? The price of your ticket will vary depending on the race and where your seat is located. On average, the cost to attend an event at the Texas Motorplex is $108.43."

By the way, congratulations on your team's outstanding performance this last weekend.

 

[T.Smith]

Indeed. Most people living in Chicago would rather spend that kind of money, or more, to take their family to a Bears or a Cubs game rather than a once-a-year, lightly promoted national event drag race. IF you hear about the race AND you enjoy the sport AND you have the extra disposable cash, then you might go. If you don't, then the stick-'n-ball games likely take precedent. That's all I'm saying. People have priorities and if the extra money isn't there, something gets crossed off the list.

You, of all people, should know what it costs to attend a drag race. Adjusting for inflation, no, the tickets are no more expensive but come on, man - don't suggest I'm full of it by saying a family of 4 is going to spend a minimum of $500 to attend a national event for a day.

Copy/paste. Per person, just for the admission ticket:

"How much are Texas Motorplex tickets? The price of your ticket will vary depending on the race and where your seat is located. On average, the cost to attend an event at the Texas Motorplex is $108.43."

By the way, congratulations on your team's outstanding performance this last weekend.

How the race is promoted is a different argument.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying $500 isn't a lot of money. Everyone works hard for their wages. If you don't have it, then you just don't have it. I'd love to eat at Gibson's Steak every night, but I can't afford it.

I very well know what it costs to attend a NHRA national event and I also know what it costs for my family of 5 to attend such an event and other events. What I'm telling you is, a $500 NHRA race is not a bad number for a family, compared to other events. and venues. I'm certain NHRA and the track owners know that as well. Blaming the costs to attend (which haven't changed for NHRA) on politicians is just lazy and following a narrative. I'd listen if you said the cost for a family to put food on the table.

Thank you for the kind words, it was an excited weekend. We just needed a little racing luck to close the deal on Sunday.

 

[twostep]

How the race is promoted is a different argument.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying $500 isn't a lot of money. Everyone works hard for their wages. If you don't have it, then you just don't have it. I'd love to eat at Gibson's Steak every night, but I can't afford it.

I very well know what it costs to attend a NHRA national event and I also know what it costs for my family of 5 to attend such an event and other events. What I'm telling you is, a $500 NHRA race is not a bad number for a family, compared to other events. and venues. I'm certain NHRA and the track owners know that as well. Blaming the costs to attend (which haven't changed for NHRA) on politicians is just lazy and following a narrative. I'd listen if you said the cost for a family to put food on the table.

Thank you for the kind words, it was an excited weekend. We just needed a little racing luck to close the deal on Sunday.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear with my original post. I don't blame NHRA at all for charging a fair price for their tickets, and they are indeed fair. And indeed lots of people spend lots of money on all the various activities you mentioned. But money's tight in 2024; many don't have disposable dollars to spend on more than one of them so drag races often take a back seat to the more popular venues such as NFL games where even a nosebleed seat can cost $100. Just an opinion, mind you, and one of several possible reasons for lackluster attendance at many of these national events. That's all I'm saying.

You're not wrong in what you're saying either. I take no offense and I hope you don't either, Tony. Now, go kick some ass and here's hoping you and Team Zizz make it to Dallas in October. I'd love to stop by your pit and introduce myself.

 

[Nappy]

The original owner (Dale Coyne) was only there the first few years, though. Bought by ISC, who could care less about it, is when all the issues started.
New great owners could probably turn it around, perfect example was watching Gateway become a top track after years of neglect

Dale was one of 6 original owners I believe. They made a deal with ISC to be part of Chicagoland Speedway, which gave ISC an option to buy them out after so many years. That turned out to be a bad mistake for the dragstrip and dirt oval. Just my opinion though. Still hold out hope they will sell it to someone who cares.

 

[T.Smith]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear with my original post. I don't blame NHRA at all for charging a fair price for their tickets, and they are indeed fair. And indeed lots of people spend lots of money on all the various activities you mentioned. But money's tight in 2024; many don't have disposable dollars to spend on more than one of them so drag races often take a back seat to the more popular venues such as NFL games where even a nosebleed seat can cost $100. Just an opinion, mind you, and one of several possible reasons for lackluster attendance at many of these national events. That's all I'm saying.

You're not wrong in what you're saying either. I take no offense and I hope you don't either, Tony. Now, go kick some ass and here's hoping you and Team Zizz make it to Dallas in October. I'd love to stop by your pit and introduce myself.

No problem and I agree, I don't get the sit in the nosebleed seats thing for an NFL game. I'll never go near Soldier Feild for a Bears game. My living room couch is a much better experience.

We are supposed to be done for the season at St. Louis, but I'm hoping another race will be added. I don't see us going to Las Vegas or Pomona, so you never know, but for sure stop by, it's always fun to meet someone from the Mater.

 

[mick]

if you draw a 300-400 mile radius around joliet, you get indy and norwalk to the east. brainerd is getting very close to the north,
and st. louis to the south. quad cities to west, which has cordova ...... joliet might be a tougher sell than most think?
those to east go to indy and/or norwalk. south go to st. louis. north to BIR ...... the group that started
'camp pallet' @ BIR is/was a bunch from the milwaukee area.....i think?
it's too bad it's used only once a year. would be great if they could host a div.3 divisional/regional there.

 

[yoda]

Anyone else notice S. Torrance with a 3-hole on top and Dad running the flat 4-hole?

 

[twostep]

Anyone else notice S. Torrance with a 3-hole on top and Dad running the flat 4-hole?

Missed it but I never understood the preference for one over the other. They're both 65 square inches.

 

[LoPony]

Anyone else notice S. Torrance with a 3-hole on top and Dad running the flat 4-hole?

I noticed that. I wonder what the difference is in throttle response if any. Steve Torrance’s car almost always has a three hole, at least what I’ve seen this year. Ashley also runs three hole. So does Clay Millican. Shows that neither one really flows better than the other. I guess it’s what ever the teams are using them are used to tuning clearly there’s no advantage in ET. Isn’t it 62 in.² surface area? You could run giant 2 hole and it would perform similarly.