Great CompPlus article discusses NHRA

[GumbyWVU]

I understand how you feel. I haven't watched MLB for several years now and only follow it very passively. I have a huge fear that NIL will do the same thing to college football for me as well.

Try to find some new things to like about drag racing, and maybe you'll find that spark again. Like for me, RichRod coming back after 6 years of a mental invalid coaching has me feeling more fired up about college ball. With your experience and knowledge maybe you can help get kids interested?

 

[Bobby Bennett]

Agree, I don't know the particulars of the sanctioning requirements either....but AHRA and IHRA were no less sufficient in the past, so I don't know why they wouldn't be less than equal to NHRA now. It isn't clear in the article, and it does have that undertone of "conform or be cast out".

What doesn't make sense to me, and part of my issue with the article was
1. The website classified it as "breaking news' and "commentary". Op-Ed yes, clearly; breaking news, not even close to "news". That's a bad start.
2. There's no evidence cited by the author of people "rooting for the demise" of the NHRA, or that people regard the NHRA as "the enemy"? As such, it comes off as any criticism is equated with this "rooting for the demise" of it. I've never seen anyone on this board wishing for the "demise" of NHRA. The author should refer to something specific that was said and make the case from that.
3. Talking about 90 minute oil down cleanup and "grainy TV coverage; I remember them and don't see the connection to what his premise seems to be - people are rooting for the NHRA to go away, and we better "be careful". Technology would have advanced neither in spite of or because of the sanctioning body.
4. I don't understand the premise that the alternate sanctioning bodies are dependent on NHRA infrastructure to survive. For example, do cable and fiber optic networks rely on the power company's survival simply because they are hooked up to their utility poles? Maybe infrastructure was the wrong term. I don't know.

Maybe it was just poorly written. Maybe the author will clarify some of these things. I hope so. For example, how would the criticism of the countdown and wishing it would go away (something I feel safe to say a majority of the fans agree with) be undermining the sanctioning body to the point of "demise"? Or that NHRA is "the enemy"? Nobody I know or have seen here wants that or feels that way.

I'd suggest that, perhaps, in a roundabout way, it could be said that NHRA has a near monopoly on the sport and this in and of itself creates unique problems.

Eric, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. As a journalist with over 40 years of experience, I believe "the author" has earned the right to share my opinion as well. I have also been a member of this site since well before the 2006 join date, it has listed. I am just usually busy with that "website" called CompetitionPlus.com that has been in publication since 1999,

So to respond to your points.

1. The way our publication is set up... anything we post on our online magazine has to be classified as "Breaking News" for our format to be on the front page. Putting it merely in the commentaries side, just like our rumor mill section, will not allow it to be seen. I clearly know the difference.

2. I didn't cite one source because there are many, and I never said it was an overwhelming majority. I merely said, "if you wish for the demise of NHRA, here are some of the consequences." And if you recall in the commentary, I said, there is not enough of a sample size to know if IHRA could pick up the slack. I've watched the AHRA fall, and my beloved IHRA buried up on Pet Semetary more times than all the people combined in the Stephen King movies.

3. I'm glad you remember those days because I do, too. Those are all issues that were advanced over the years of sanctioning bodies. NHRA took it to the next level.

4. If you cannot see the ASO issue, and to compare it to the power company and fiber optic is not even close. No power and none of it matters anyway. NHRA tracks, and those ASO's lose the very assets that make an NHRA track one worth having an event at.

Maybe in your opinion is was poorly written. That's the great thing about America, you are entitled to that.

Just to clear up any misconceptions, my commentary had zero to do with Nitromater, because as I said earlier, I was one of the first five members of this website that came along a few years after we launched CompetitionPlus.com in September 1999. Maybe you know no one that feels that way, but in my vast reach in this drag racing world, I have seen different than you and all I wanted to say was merely, "Be careful of what you wish for... the consequences might not be so pleasant."

"The Author"

 

[twostep]

Personally I believe the article was well written, and by someone who obviously knows the inner workings of the NHRA a hell of a lot more than I do. My only question to you, Bobby, is there any particular reason for the piece to begin with? Admittedly, I don't 'get around' in the world of drag racing other than a couple of forums, YT videos and bench racing with friends I used to compete with back in the day. But I'll ask - is there some sort of grassroots anti-NHRA sentiment you're seeing that we're not seeing, hence the timeliness of your article?

Like anything else there's always going to be whiners - some legit, most others just ratchet-jawing on behalf of folks who don't even race or don't race any more. I know you're thick-skinned enough to disregard that crap. But every action has a motive and I know you don't write articles just to keep in practice. So what was your motive to write this one?

To be honest, other than the usual (no 1320, weak payouts, countdown) most of the whining I hear has to do with the track operations themselves and not the NHRA per se. So that's the only question I have, and it was the one I asked on Page 1.....is what you wrote simply a friendly reminder that the world of drag racing needs the NHRA (agreed) or did it focus on something that's a real problem - or perhaps not a problem at all?

 

[Bobby Bennett]

Personally I believe the article was well written, and by someone who obviously knows the inner workings of the NHRA a hell of a lot more than I do. My only question to you, Bobby, is there any particular reason for the piece to begin with? Admittedly, I don't 'get around' in the world of drag racing other than a couple of forums, YT videos and bench racing with friends I used to compete with back in the day. But I'll ask - is there some sort of grassroots anti-NHRA sentiment you're seeing that we're not seeing, hence the timeliness of your article?

Like anything else there's always going to be whiners - some legit, most others just ratchet-jawing on behalf of folks who don't even race or don't race any more. I know you're thick-skinned enough to disregard that crap. But every action has a motive and I know you don't write articles just to keep in practice. So what was your motive to write this one?

To be honest, other than the usual (no 1320, weak payouts, countdown) most of the whining I hear has to do with the track operations themselves and not the NHRA per se. So that's the only question I have, and it was the one I asked on Page 1.....is what you wrote simply a friendly reminder that the world of drag racing needs the NHRA (agreed) or did it focus on something that's a real problem - or perhaps not a problem at all?

The only reason I wrote it is to illustrate what life could be like if the NHRA were to go away. It's simple. I don't think it's going away anytime soon. It was intended to provoke thought as to what could be lost if we did. I believe there are aspects of this sport that many people take for granted. My whole point was to point out those things. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for your kind words, Lowell.

 

[Jim]

The only reason I wrote it is to illustrate what life could be like if the NHRA were to go away. It's simple. I don't think it's going away anytime soon. It was intended to provoke thought as to what could be lost if we did. I believe there are aspects of this sport that many people take for granted. My whole point was to point out those things. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for your kind words, Lowell.

Right now, NHRA is the best option to lift the sport of drag racing as a whole. The more NHRA can lift the entire sport, the more room there is for other sanctioning bodies to build their presence in drag racing. That is particularly true for organizatiosn that build their presence in specific, niche areas of the sport rather than try to compete with NHRA as an overall presence.

Sure, NHRA had made mistakes and could be doing a better job of building the sport. But if it were to go way, we would be left with a hodge podge of smaller organizations, all of whom would have difficulty building a national presence.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Eric, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. As a journalist with over 40 years of experience, I believe "the author" has earned the right to share my opinion as well. I have also been a member of this site since well before the 2006 join date, it has listed. I am just usually busy with that "website" called CompetitionPlus.com that has been in publication since 1999,

So to respond to your points.

1. The way our publication is set up... anything we post on our online magazine has to be classified as "Breaking News" for our format to be on the front page. Putting it merely in the commentaries side, just like our rumor mill section, will not allow it to be seen. I clearly know the difference.

2. I didn't cite one source because there are many, and I never said it was an overwhelming majority. I merely said, "if you wish for the demise of NHRA, here are some of the consequences." And if you recall in the commentary, I said, there is not enough of a sample size to know if IHRA could pick up the slack. I've watched the AHRA fall, and my beloved IHRA buried up on Pet Semetary more times than all the people combined in the Stephen King movies.

3. I'm glad you remember those days because I do, too. Those are all issues that were advanced over the years of sanctioning bodies. NHRA took it to the next level.

4. If you cannot see the ASO issue, and to compare it to the power company and fiber optic is not even close. No power and none of it matters anyway. NHRA tracks, and those ASO's lose the very assets that make an NHRA track one worth having an event at.

Maybe in your opinion is was poorly written. That's the great thing about America, you are entitled to that.

Just to clear up any misconceptions, my commentary had zero to do with Nitromater, because as I said earlier, I was one of the first five members of this website that came along a few years after we launched CompetitionPlus.com in September 1999. Maybe you know no one that feels that way, but in my vast reach in this drag racing world, I have seen different than you and all I wanted to say was merely, "Be careful of what you wish for... the consequences might not be so pleasant."

"The Author"

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I'm sure your perspective will give folks things to think about.

I appreciate your honesty, even if I disagree with some of what you wrote.

 

[Bobby Bennett]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I'm sure your perspective will give folks things to think about.

I appreciate your honesty, even if I disagree with some of what you wrote.

That's the great thing about America. We can disagree and still be cordial and respectful.

 

[Jon Asher]

Some general thoughts on Bobby Bennett’s NHRA-related editorial. One point every reader needs to keep in mind is that an editorial represents the opinion of the author, and nothing more. If you disagree, fine. Also fine if you agree.



Regarding negativism towards NHRA on social media platforms, remember that those negative comments may represent a tiny sliver of NHRA’s total fandom. It’s easy to lash out at someone via the internet, and as more than one media personality has pointed out (correctly so, I believe), Facebook and Twitter aren’t representative of a nation of more than 330 million.



Bennett’s editorial does not say that his readers should conform or move on. That’s a reader’s interpretation of it and nothing more.



The harsh reality is that, for all intents and purposes, right now NHRA is drag racing as far as the media is concerned. No other organization is yet capable of attracting newspaper or television coverage (and please don’t respond by pointing out how a local channel has covered its local track from time to time. I’m talking about nationwide coverage). Yes, there may come a time when IHRA or some other group can command major media coverage, but we aren’t there yet.



I also think Billy Anderson’s comment about attending the “Night of Fire” program at Epping and the resulting “complaints” about the show aspects of the program on social media needs to be answered. I’ve had lengthy, detailed conversations with several track operators who produce “Night of Fire”-type programs, and each has said the audience for those programs is distinctly different than the audience that turns out for their national events.



What’s the point? It’s obvious. If you want pure drag racing you attend the national event. If you want fireworks, jet cars and wheelstanders along with a little pure drag racing, head to the “Night of Fire” Both are still drag racing, so pick the one you prefer, and stop berating the people who like the format you don’t care for.



Eric Gumm, take a deep breath and relax. Bennett may not have cited chapter and verse about specific individuals rooting for the demise of NHRA, but after 55 years of writing about and shooting photos of drag racing I assure you they’re out there. I ran into one or two at every single race I covered during those 55 years.



I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but the membership here at Nitromater is far too small for Bennett or anyone else to specifically target us with an editorial. We’re too small to matter.



Predicting a merger between NHRA and IHRA at some point down the road seems like a reach to me. You have two distinctly different companies who may be operating in the same general world of drag racing, but it appears they have different management, marketing and even competitive programs and goals.



Lance Peltier may be right in that most of those bashing NHRA don’t even attend the events.



Darrell Foley makes some very good points, but what he fails to include is that the things he’d like to continue experiencing went by the boards as the technical side of nitro racing changed. New engine and fuel system alterations forced those changes (among many others). It may sound silly, but blame the tuners for those changes. Not meaning to belittle them in any way, but by and large they could care less about the show. Their job is to make the car as quick as possible, and you can bet your last dollar that if they found a way of doing that that completely eliminated the burnout, they’d do it.



Jon Asher

 

[Joe]

Some general thoughts on Bobby Bennett’s NHRA-related editorial. One point every reader needs to keep in mind is that an editorial represents the opinion of the author, and nothing more. If you disagree, fine. Also fine if you agree.



Regarding negativism towards NHRA on social media platforms, remember that those negative comments may represent a tiny sliver of NHRA’s total fandom. It’s easy to lash out at someone via the internet, and as more than one media personality has pointed out (correctly so, I believe), Facebook and Twitter aren’t representative of a nation of more than 330 million.



Bennett’s editorial does not say that his readers should conform or move on. That’s a reader’s interpretation of it and nothing more.



The harsh reality is that, for all intents and purposes, right now NHRA is drag racing as far as the media is concerned. No other organization is yet capable of attracting newspaper or television coverage (and please don’t respond by pointing out how a local channel has covered its local track from time to time. I’m talking about nationwide coverage). Yes, there may come a time when IHRA or some other group can command major media coverage, but we aren’t there yet.



I also think Billy Anderson’s comment about attending the “Night of Fire” program at Epping and the resulting “complaints” about the show aspects of the program on social media needs to be answered. I’ve had lengthy, detailed conversations with several track operators who produce “Night of Fire”-type programs, and each has said the audience for those programs is distinctly different than the audience that turns out for their national events.



What’s the point? It’s obvious. If you want pure drag racing you attend the national event. If you want fireworks, jet cars and wheelstanders along with a little pure drag racing, head to the “Night of Fire” Both are still drag racing, so pick the one you prefer, and stop berating the people who like the format you don’t care for.



Eric Gumm, take a deep breath and relax. Bennett may not have cited chapter and verse about specific individuals rooting for the demise of NHRA, but after 55 years of writing about and shooting photos of drag racing I assure you they’re out there. I ran into one or two at every single race I covered during those 55 years.



I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but the membership here at Nitromater is far too small for Bennett or anyone else to specifically target us with an editorial. We’re too small to matter.



Predicting a merger between NHRA and IHRA at some point down the road seems like a reach to me. You have two distinctly different companies who may be operating in the same general world of drag racing, but it appears they have different management, marketing and even competitive programs and goals.



Lance Peltier may be right in that most of those bashing NHRA don’t even attend the events.



Darrell Foley makes some very good points, but what he fails to include is that the things he’d like to continue experiencing went by the boards as the technical side of nitro racing changed. New engine and fuel system alterations forced those changes (among many others). It may sound silly, but blame the tuners for those changes. Not meaning to belittle them in any way, but by and large they could care less about the show. Their job is to make the car as quick as possible, and you can bet your last dollar that if they found a way of doing that that completely eliminated the burnout, they’d do it.



Jon Asher

 

[Joe]

Some general thoughts on Bobby Bennett’s NHRA-related editorial. One point every reader needs to keep in mind is that an editorial represents the opinion of the author, and nothing more. If you disagree, fine. Also fine if you agree.



Regarding negativism towards NHRA on social media platforms, remember that those negative comments may represent a tiny sliver of NHRA’s total fandom. It’s easy to lash out at someone via the internet, and as more than one media personality has pointed out (correctly so, I believe), Facebook and Twitter aren’t representative of a nation of more than 330 million.



Bennett’s editorial does not say that his readers should conform or move on. That’s a reader’s interpretation of it and nothing more.



The harsh reality is that, for all intents and purposes, right now NHRA is drag racing as far as the media is concerned. No other organization is yet capable of attracting newspaper or television coverage (and please don’t respond by pointing out how a local channel has covered its local track from time to time. I’m talking about nationwide coverage). Yes, there may come a time when IHRA or some other group can command major media coverage, but we aren’t there yet.



I also think Billy Anderson’s comment about attending the “Night of Fire” program at Epping and the resulting “complaints” about the show aspects of the program on social media needs to be answered. I’ve had lengthy, detailed conversations with several track operators who produce “Night of Fire”-type programs, and each has said the audience for those programs is distinctly different than the audience that turns out for their national events.



What’s the point? It’s obvious. If you want pure drag racing you attend the national event. If you want fireworks, jet cars and wheelstanders along with a little pure drag racing, head to the “Night of Fire” Both are still drag racing, so pick the one you prefer, and stop berating the people who like the format you don’t care for.



Eric Gumm, take a deep breath and relax. Bennett may not have cited chapter and verse about specific individuals rooting for the demise of NHRA, but after 55 years of writing about and shooting photos of drag racing I assure you they’re out there. I ran into one or two at every single race I covered during those 55 years.



I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but the membership here at Nitromater is far too small for Bennett or anyone else to specifically target us with an editorial. We’re too small to matter.



Predicting a merger between NHRA and IHRA at some point down the road seems like a reach to me. You have two distinctly different companies who may be operating in the same general world of drag racing, but it appears they have different management, marketing and even competitive programs and goals.



Lance Peltier may be right in that most of those bashing NHRA don’t even attend the events.



Darrell Foley makes some very good points, but what he fails to include is that the things he’d like to continue experiencing went by the boards as the technical side of nitro racing changed. New engine and fuel system alterations forced those changes (among many others). It may sound silly, but blame the tuners for those changes. Not meaning to belittle them in any way, but by and large they could care less about the show. Their job is to make the car as quick as possible, and you can bet your last dollar that if they found a way of doing that that completely eliminated the burnout, they’d do it.



Jon Asher

Good response Jon, agree on all points. What is your opinion of the entry list for the next Columbus race? How much of a trend do you see starting? Thanks.

 

[J]

Id like to see an article on foxs tv coverage that pretty much sucks

 

[Jim]

I understand how you feel. I haven't watched MLB for several years now and only follow it very passively. I have a huge fear that NIL will do the same thing to college football for me as well.

If you have not watched baseball this season or last season, you should watch a game and see what you think of the pitch clock. It has significantly sped up the game.

 

[Brutus26]

I believe that we can all contemplate on where/how us “old timers” have been fortunate enough to see drag racing (and I’m only 55 years old). My thumbnail picture is of Don “The Snake” Prudhomme from the very first race I attended in 1976. I’m more proud of the little tower, that he was burning out next to in that thumbnail picture. I probably grew up in drag racing, unlike most of you. That tower was built by my father amongst many other buildings at Quaker City Dragway/Raceway. Dick & Viv Mossey asked my parents to run the concession stand. My first introduction to a racer was Don at Mosseys breakfast nook table and telling him that I screwed up painting/decals on the Army car and him taking me out to truck & trailer to get me a new Revel model and telling me; “Don’t mess this one up kid and show me the next time I’m in town”. That became introductions to Al Segrini, Stan Bowman, “Tv Tommy” Ivo, D.A Santucci, Aggie Hendricks, Roger Gustin, Jeb Coughlin & boys, etc. Still have an LP of from Walt Arfons at Akron Airport that has sportsman racing and the “Green Monster” jet car. Never raced a car down the strip during a race, but it was where I & my siblings learned to drive around (had to learn stick/manuel also) and my older siblings telling me; “Just take it easy down the first part of the strip, as my parents & Dick & Viv watch out the window of breakfast nook, they can’t see you past the barn & definitely can’t see you on the pitside area? Just nonchalantly drive it up their driveway after passing the tower area, and you’ll be fine!”
What I didn’t know then that I know now? How can any of us make it grow? I know I had said once before about “Cleetus McFarland” in a post, along with who I believe @Mike Larson about making it grow. From being from NE Ohio; just saw a student from Ohio State get $250,000 to make a short field goal from Pat McAfee before the OSU/Texas game. It may not be how us “old timers” want to see it happen; but maybe how we should want it to happen, to keep the youngsters involved/interested. My 2 cents.
PS- if any of you are familiar with Quaker City & the Mossey’s? My first car was a car 1975 Monte Carlo that was Nelle’s. Only had a small dent on back fender, where Nelle hit side of garage pulling into her garage. Had less than 22,000 miles on it when I pulled into my high school parking lot the first time in 1986.

 

[Brutus26]

I believe that we can all contemplate on where/how us “old timers” have been fortunate enough to see drag racing (and I’m only 55 years old). My thumbnail picture is of Don “The Snake” Prudhomme from the very first race I attended in 1976. I’m more proud of the little tower, that he was burning out next to in that thumbnail picture. I probably grew up in drag racing, unlike most of you. That tower was built by my father amongst many other buildings at Quaker City Dragway/Raceway. Dick & Viv Mossey asked my parents to run the concession stand. My first introduction to a racer was Don at Mosseys breakfast nook table and telling him that I screwed up painting/decals on the Army car and him taking me out to truck & trailer to get me a new Revel model and telling me; “Don’t mess this one up kid and show me the next time I’m in town”. That became introductions to Al Segrini, Stan Bowman, “Tv Tommy” Ivo, D.A Santucci, Aggie Hendricks, Roger Gustin, Jeb Coughlin & boys, etc. Still have an LP of from Walt Arfons at Akron Airport that has sportsman racing and the “Green Monster” jet car. Never raced a car down the strip during a race, but it was where I & my siblings learned to drive around (had to learn stick/manuel also) and my older siblings telling me; “Just take it easy down the first part of the strip, as my parents & Dick & Viv watch out the window of breakfast nook, they can’t see you past the barn & definitely can’t see you on the pitside area? Just nonchalantly drive it up their driveway after passing the tower area, and you’ll be fine!”
What I didn’t know then that I know now? How can any of us make it grow? I know I had said once before about “Cleetus McFarland” in a post, along with who I believe @Mike Larson about making it grow. From being from NE Ohio; just saw a student from Ohio State get $250,000 to make a short field goal from Pat McAfee before the OSU/Texas game. It may not be how us “old timers” want to see it happen; but maybe how we should want it to happen, to keep the youngsters involved/interested. My 2 cents.
PS- if any of you are familiar with Quaker City & the Mossey’s? My first car was a car 1975 Monte Carlo that was Nelle’s. Only had a small dent on back fender, where Nelle hit side of garage pulling into her garage. Had less than 22,000 miles on it when I pulled into my high school parking lot the first time in 1986.

Instead of the name’s of racer’s that I put: I should’ve put/remembered the names: Emmit Barr, Ray “Wynno” Whinnery, Francis “Crutch” Crider & Leo Taugher, etc!