Indy attendance (2 Viewers)

[Dragracer]

The helicopter pictures from Indy today show the stands with a lot of big holes. Attendance is NOT GOOD.

 

[Polish Hammer]

You mean they won’t say it was a “sellout”?

 

[Dave]

Saturday looked pretty packed and Sunday was not bad either. I think 4 days of pro racing is a bit too much for some that aren't a diehard. I know when they are in town I don't even go all 3 days. The heat has to play a factor too. Still a nicely attended monday.

 

[Nunz]

Overall great crowds starting with Ftiday night. Even Sunday morning was strong but as the day wore on people were not going back to the stands. The heat was brutal this year.

 

[MM]

 

[Mike_in_Toney]

One thing I noticed which I hadn't in the past was people pouring out as soon as the semis were done and everything following was a final. Do you think they head home to watch the finals and beat the crowds out?

 

[ironpony]

A guy sat next to us after first round, start of second round, he was with the event security people and he said they only had 50% of attendance and he had to send half the security staff home. West side was basically empty the whole day I would say 15% full

 

[Dragracer]

A guy sat next to us after first round, start of second round, he was with the event security people and he said they only had 50% of attendance and he had to send half the security staff home. West side was basically empty the whole day I would say 15% full

And the US Nationals is NHRA's premier race of the year. Lucky it is a NHRA owned track and they have to take the loss. For a track owner it would be a major loss.

 

[Mike_in_Toney]

I think they made up for it in water/drink sales.

 

[Dave]

And the US Nationals is NHRA's premier race of the year. Lucky it is a NHRA owned track and they have to take the loss. For a track owner it would be a major loss.

They have 800+ entrants plus all the extra ticket sales that were mentioned for specific drivers wanting family and friends there and its a 6 day event. Oh and they charge to park. I don't think anyone is losing any money on the deal.

 

[justafan]

I was there all day Saturday and Sunday. The West Side stands attendance looked light both days, but the East Side Stands (Pits) seemed pretty full. As soon as Nitro is done, 80% of the people on the East Side head to the pits, food, etc. I saw amazing qualifying sessions in Alcohol, Pro Mod and Top Fuel Harley that the fans who are only there for Nitro missed out on. The Mountain Pro Stock exhibition was entertaining as well. I'm sure the heat was somewhat of a factor. Hot and humid both days.

 

[PJ]

Monday is usually a light day but this year's Monday was one of the lightest turnouts that I can remember. Fri-Sun was good. I think the heat may have kept people away, plus the weather kept claiming rain chances every day. Nitro sessions were a bit of a yawn fest with few making full pulls Sat or Sun. It is sessions like that when I wonder if averaging all qualifying runs would provide a better show. Heard people still complaining about it Sunday. It is tough to balance team needs for data with fans need to a good show.

 

[NITRO JUNKIE]

And the US Nationals is NHRA's premier race of the year. Lucky it is a NHRA owned track and they have to take the loss. For a track owner it would be a major loss.

Do they own any more, didn’t know that.

 

[MHayes]

Do they own any more, didn’t know that.

NHRA owns Pomona, Gainesville, Atlanta and Indy.

 

[stitcherbob]

OPEN LETTER TO THOSE PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 1 1/2 MILES OF MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

It has come to my attention that spectator attendance numbers of many NHRA races have been down this year. As a result of this and in anticipation that this will be the expected occurrence at the race there next weekend, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from waving signs directing incoming race fans to park in your yards (for exorbitant amounts of money) because you wish to convince them "the only parking available" is a mile and a half walk away from the track's lots. There has always been parking at the track, even when the attendance was "sold out", and it usually costs a third of what you want for piling cars up on your lawn. Additionally, by the time the fans and their exhausted families stagger back to their vehicle, the traffic has already made it impossible to leave your yard anyway.

Thank you for your cooperation,
A race fan

 

[NITRO JUNKIE]

OPEN LETTER TO THOSE PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 1 1/2 MILES OF MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

It has come to my attention that spectator attendance numbers of many NHRA races have been down this year. As a result of this and in anticipation that this will be the expected occurrence at the race there next weekend, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from waving signs directing incoming race fans to park in your yards (for exorbitant amounts of money) because you wish to convince them "the only parking available" is a mile and a half walk away from the track's lots. There has always been parking at the track, even when the attendance was "sold out", and it usually costs a third of what you want for piling cars up on your lawn. Additionally, by the time the fans and their exhausted families stagger back to their vehicle, the traffic has already made it impossible to leave your yard anyway.

Thank you for your cooperation,
A race fan

I saw that last year there should be a rule that you can’t do that, another complaint WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE CLOSE TO A RACE TRACK DO NOT AND WILL NEVER HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ANY NOSIE YOU MOVED THERE KNOWING IT WAS GOING TO BE LOUD !
But hats off the the community’s that do support racing like Topeka, Denver, and any community that supports NHRA DRAG RACING!
Personally I would pay $30,000$ extra to have a view of Maple Grove Raceway like the houses that can see it off the porch!

 

[Huge]

The helicopter pictures from Indy today show the stands with a lot of big holes. Attendance is NOT GOOD.

That's because they were standing in line at the restroom...or a least they were every time I went in there..

 

[Professional Fan]

I sat through every Pro session Friday-Monday. Heat/humidity was brutal, even worse than prior years as I remember. Attendance definitely dwindled as the day wore on. A lot of people bailed early each day. Can't say I blame them but if I fly 1,800 miles to watch the races I'm not leaving early unless it gets incredibly cold (like sometimes Friday nights at Sonoma.) Wish fuel racing was better but I guess combination of new track prep and heat/humidity made it tough for crew chiefs. I'll be back next year!

 

[mick]

wish there were not only attendance figures given for the races, but also how many seats each venue holds......my guess is most nat. events have seating for
15-25k, but then you have chicago, indy, charlotte, and maybe vegas which i'd guess seat north of 30k?.....15k fans in 20k bleachers looks a lot fuller than the same 15k in 30k bleachers. i agree though, monday @ indy looked light. i remember being there in 1989, the place was packed on monday. then again it was the older bleachers then too.

 

[None]

NHRA owns Pomona, Gainesville, Atlanta and Indy.

They do not own Pomona. Los Angeles County does.