Just noticed this about Indy nitro qualifying
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Chili
Nitro Member
I did a little research (thanks Drag Racing Central) and the last time they had a scheduled night qualifying session on Saturday was 2017. I wish NHRA did more night sessions especially in Indy. That first shot on Friday night usually sets the top half the field because it’s usually hot and humid the rest of the weekend.
ch streetcars
Nitro Member
I can say , among fans I know, Night qualifying is the biggest carrot to get in the car and travel to a National Event. Actually any Drag Race. Young people like to come out at night also. The stands and then pits afterward used to be busy with fans until they kicked us out at night, after a long day at the races. Even after the drivers had left to eat or get to their motels, the crews would still be there, and interact with the fans, lots of deals involving selling parts and even financial help from someone who decided to get involved seriously , came about in the pits at night. You really felt the lifestyle and camaraderie of racing. NHRA is really missing opportunities without night racing!
IMO The most awesome thing in all of motorsports is Nitro racing at night. I used to wonder why NHRA does not schedule more Nitro racing at night, but i can understand why they don't. Drag racing or any form of motorsports, are at the mercy of the elements. and when u schedule a night race, you severely shrink your racing window, for any given day, not to mention any extensive delay and you start to run in to local curfews and once racing is canceled, lots of money is lost.
This is very much the case, add in that most of the PRO drivers would prefer NOT to race at night. It’s extremely hard to see, especially going 300+mph, and it makes for really long days for the crew. All to get up early the next morning for eliminations. Most teams get to the track 4 hours before E1, so most of the time they have to be at the track by 7am. Some races start earlier, which means an even shorter night the night before.
Rasn1320
Nitro Member
Wow 4 hours,def would be hard to get up the next day,and hopefully you have a good roomate lol
Nitro Bass!
Nitro Member
All of that makes total sense. The frustrating thing is that nitro drag racing at night is what separates drag racing from any other motorsport, or for that matter, just about anything else in life. There simply isn't another experience on earth like nitro racing under the lights. That's what sells the sport, and unfortunately it goes against everything said above.
Maybe I'm a little jaded because I grew up in Tucson, where just about every race I went to in the desert was run at night because it was simply too hot during the day. But those nights made me a fan for life.
Maybe I'm a little jaded because I grew up in Tucson, where just about every race I went to in the desert was run at night because it was simply too hot during the day. But those nights made me a fan for life.
Saturdays @ US Nationals used to be 4 pm and 8pm followed by jet cars and bomb/fireworks shows. You could get into town, get your motel room and arrive to the track @ your leisure and still get an incredible show, mostly out of the brutal Indy sun.
Sunday after final Nitro Q's you would get Pro Mods and Alcohol (cars) well into nightime.
No idea why NHRA cries about young fans not showing up when they are so interested in getting the show started early morning and finished mid afternoon
Sunday after final Nitro Q's you would get Pro Mods and Alcohol (cars) well into nightime.
No idea why NHRA cries about young fans not showing up when they are so interested in getting the show started early morning and finished mid afternoon
When I was crewing on a Funny Car years ago , I remember a lot of short nights at the hotel. Also had a Crew member that shared the same room for awhile that made it almost impossible to get any sleep. He snored worse than a "Freight Train" 
. Thankfully his wife started traveling with us so he had a different room. Still friends today and love him like a brother !
. Thankfully his wife started traveling with us so he had a different room. Still friends today and love him like a brother !
Rasn1320
Nitro Member
Odd question but since you were on a crew,does the crew chief and drivers usually get there own rooms???When I was crewing on a Funny Car years ago , I remember a lot of short nights at the hotel. Also had a Crew member that shared the same room for awhile that made it almost impossible to get any sleep. He snored worse than a "Freight Train"
Same here. From 1966 until we moved away in 1970 I was at the original Tucson Dragway almost every Saturday night. That set the hook deep.
T.Smith
Nitro Member
You're a couple years late. That started in 2024.
T.Smith
Nitro Member
Saturday is a long day at Indy. Seemed like it always ran long and the 5pm fuel session would finish at sunset or slightly after.
On our team it was usually 2 to a room. Team owner set up the reservations. On a rare occasion there might have been a third person added, they got the floor.
For the better funded teams, yes, the crew chiefs and drivers get their own rooms. Sometimes the car chiefs do too. Everyone else is doubled up. For the lesser funded teams, it could be everyone is doubled, tripled or even more…
Chili
Nitro Member
As a fan, everyday is a long day at Indy. If you want to watch PM and Alky, you have to get there early every day and stay late everyday. I’m not complaining but my wife feels differently.
Not just your wife....
This year mine asked for Top Eliminator Club after our Vegas Club Nitro experience.
