Four-Time NHRA Top Fuel Champ Steve Torrence Done With Season After Sunday (9 Viewers)

[none]

Curious why you think that COTA could attrack fans better than the Motorplex?

Alan

 

[Cliff]

Hi Alan. Was thinking that the folks who used to go to Houston would be willing to go to Austin. I think there has been some talk about a drag strip at COTA, would be a lot easier to build a track there than a new track at another location. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nunz]

I do not think the world is ending just looking at it objectively. You just listed who has left and there are many more, now who has replaced them ? nobody. Drag racing at this level is dying a slow death, will it ever be gone ? no one knows. When we can not even get full fields and used to have several bump spots that tells the story.
How many true sponsors are really here ? Take away the guys funding their own operations, several of which have already left and the answer is not many. You first have to admit there is a problem to look at it and evaluate how to fix it. Nitor is can I get to the finish line BEFORE it blows up because it is going to blow up. How much longer can they afford to replace engines, boxes and chassis. IMO this year has been extensive with the carnage, more carnage = more money and there's not much left to give.

I agree with many of your points. As far as who replaced those that retired, many. But like I said, I agree with a lot your points. The bottom line is, the NHRA needs to take a proactive approach to leading the sport into the future. Maybe IHRA's resurgence and aggressive growth strategy will shake them up a bit.

 

[none]

I agree that building a new track on an existing race property would be easier than somewhere raw. Having the infrastructure already in place would be a big advantage.

The drive from Houston to the Motorplex isn't much different then the drive from Houston to COTA so I'm not convinced that a ton of Houston fans would come back. I could certainly be wrong.

Alan

 

[65 Goatboy]

John Force is unique and has done very well, his daughters were along for the ride and also did well on his dime. Now they are all moving on to family life never to return. I can see JFR reducing their footprint in the next few years, there is no family to continue on the legacy. IMO Robert was the best possibility and he has also moved on.

You may be right but I can't agree today. Brittany never said she was retiring just taking time off to "try" and start a family which their is no guarantee. Watching her passion for JFR in on track interviews I think she along with Dad will be running the team for a long time. No their won't be a driver named Force in 2026 but all 3 teams will be competing. None of us know how far John's grandkids will go, one is in super comp. this year. Who's to say either Ashley or Courtney might decide to come back?

 

[J. S.]

Wish COTA would do a drag strip. Would have no problem attracting spectators.

Unfortunately, I don't think that would be the case. The ONLY reason F1 has become a big deal in Austin and Las Vegas is for some reason, it is now a BIG fashion statement to say you are "Going to the F1 race". These are not race fans and they will never be race fans. F1 racing is a horrible show, with little to no on-track passing. Indy car is a far, far better show on the track - whether ovals or street circuits, or natural terrain road courses. 95% of those Austin or Las Vegas fans will not pay any attention to the race, but they will get a big ego boost that they can say they were at the F1 race. I think drag racing is also a far better show (when the fuel cars don't go up in smoke - which is getting to be a real problem). Not sure how we can get the Drags to become fashionable. That is what we need.

 

[z28]

Wish COTA would do a drag strip. Would have no problem attracting spectators.

you bet they would. lots of rumors awhile back