Four-Time NHRA Top Fuel Champ Steve Torrence Done With Season After Sunday

[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

 

[Joe]

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.

Austin is full of those people. That place is next to a toll road and FM road
Not the best to get out of. I have a cattle ranch about an hour from there outside Cameron. I would not go but that's me.

 

[z28]

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

Alan

don't know if it would be better but I think some cota and f1 fans might give it a go. with Houston gone we need another Tx site for nhra

 

[yoda]

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.

Have you ever been to an F1 day, or is this just perception?
The amount of incorrect assumptions in your post make it look like you have never been.


-56 year drag racing fan
-45 year F1 fan
-60 year Open Wheel/IRL fan

 

[J. S.]

Have you ever been to an F1 day, or is this just perception?
The amount of incorrect assumptions in your post make it look like you have never been.


-56 year drag racing fan
-45 year F1 fan
-60 year Open Wheel/IRL fan

You couldn't pay me enough to go to an F1 race. I have casually followed F1 for years. I stand by my statement that it has been horrible racing for way too long, and the recent resurgence of interest in F1 in America has nothing to do with the racing, but rather with the American obsession with fads and doing the "In" thing. Good for F1. The "races" are nothing more than a technology parade, with all too often the pole winner "winning" the race. It is a bore-fest, and has been way over-hyped for years. I'm glad you seem to like their show. I am not at all impressed with it. To each their own.

 

[stitcherbob]

I followed F1 when I was a kid with a Road & Track subscription, lost interest when Gilles Villeneuve was killed so horribly, and was re-interested when Fernando Alonso was shooting to the top. There are probably very few F1 fans that give a fig about drag racing, as they seem to prefer drifting, which waste more rubber than nitro fueler burnouts but with no payoff. I want to see more drag strips spread out over our land instead of condensing them into other venues. It's sad that NJ is down to one small strip now.

 

[z28]

I followed F1 when I was a kid with a Road & Track subscription, lost interest when Gilles Villeneuve was killed so horribly, and was re-interested when Fernando Alonso was shooting to the top. There are probably very few F1 fans that give a fig about drag racing, as they seem to prefer drifting, which waste more rubber than nitro fueler burnouts but with no payoff. I want to see more drag strips spread out over our land instead of condensing them into other venues. It's sad that NJ is down to one small strip now.

I'd just like to see a good strip between Austin/San Antonio and COTA has the funds to do it

 

[*******]

I just think he doesn't like the west coast and frankly I don't blame him. LOL, he skipped the west coast swing and now is skipping last two races out west. If he was in championship form he'd be there but he's not this year.

 

[J]

I just think he doesn't like the west coast and frankly I don't blame him. LOL, he skipped the west coast swing and now is skipping last two races out west. If he was in championship form he'd be there but he's not this year.

Wonder if he will run less or more next year,im guessing less

 

[mick]

steve torrence finds himself 228 points back in 4th place with two races to go, yet there
is no desire, or monetary reward to continue fighting for, for this former multi-time top fuel champion.
sad.

 

[ironpony]

The welfare system is not paying off for Steve

 

[Butch]

steve torrence finds himself 228 points back in 4th place with two races to go, yet there
is no desire, or monetary reward to continue fighting for, for this former multi-time top fuel champion.
sad.

Ben there done that? Another Wally isn't worth the cost?

 

[z28]

The welfare system is not paying off for Steve

unless you win the championship there's not much for any class except keeping sponsors happy. Being mostly self-sponsored why spend the money.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Ben there done that? Another Wally isn't worth the cost?

People who have money usually tend to make smart investments.