Largest crowd ever to attend a drag race? (14 Viewers)

[Mike]

Does anybody have an idea what's the largest crowd to ever attend a drag race, and approximately what year? I'm referring to a single day, not an entire event.

Has anywhere ever gotten legitimately 50,000 spectators at a race on the same day?

 

[sammi]

In the 80's, I can remember sitting shoulder to shoulder with others at the Winternationals.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Kinda hard to tell when NHRA won't release the numbers when they sell out an event.

 

[You!]

Grandstands at the Fairplex were much smaller back in the day hence tighter quarters. I would bet that Gainesville would be the best candidate for largest single day crowd...

 

[Rocket Man]

supposedly the Gators this year was the biggest crowd ever at a drag race. The capacity of the track is listed as 30k.

 

[mick]

M

Thread 'Largest in-person crowd in drag racing history'

Jul 29, 2024

Does anyone have thoughts about when, where, and how many in attendance for the largest crowd in drag racing history?

• Mike
• Replies: 32
• Forum: NHRA

 

[Mike]

M

Thread 'Largest in-person crowd in drag racing history'

Jul 29, 2024

Does anyone have thoughts about when, where, and how many in attendance for the largest crowd in drag racing history?

• Mike
• Replies: 32
• Forum: NHRA

Thank you. I'm old enough to not remember things I posted from 2 years ago.

 

[twostep]

Texas Motorplex opening weekend in 1986 brought in about 30K on Sunday. I was there; my God, what a circus but what an unforgettable weekend. Darrell Gwynn was almost unbeatable that year but Garlits sent him packing in the final. "And the crowd went wild."

 

[TSK]

What about some of the Indy Nationals crowds?

 

[BOO BOO]

Night of Fire @ Norwalk. I think they are in the 40k range

 

[tom]

41,742 march 8th @ houston raceway park

 

[tom]

65,000 feb 7th, 1965 winternationals pomona

 

[GumbyWVU]

Will be interesting to see if the IHRA releases either attendance figures or ticket sales at the very least.

 

[Rocket Man]

felt like only a couple thousand on Saturday

 

[twostep]

65,000 feb 7th, 1965 winternationals pomona

Stockers on Friday due to heavy fog; Saturday wiped out due to rain. Sunday featured 70 (!) fuel dragsters attempting to qualify and racing that started at 7am continued until sunset. Ahhh, those were the days.

 

[Dragracer]

Back when they posted the attendance Gainesville and Pomona were always at the top. Pomona has covered up over 50% of their seats. I doubt that anyone made money this weekend. Not NHRA, or the vendors. I would be surprised if there was more than 25-30 thousand for the whole weekend and that may be a high figure.

 

[ironpony]

All I will add is from what NHRA says is a sold out event and what the cameras show in the stands are two very different situations.

 

[ironpony]

Will be interesting to see if the IHRA releases either attendance figures or ticket sales at the very least.

The events I have been to have been very very low attendance. I don't know if there will ever be big numbers but they are serving the racers very well.

 

[Joe]

The events I have been to have been very very low attendance. I don't know if there will ever be big numbers but they are serving the racers very well.

And the spectators also. Both Dunns were great, 66 days til we come to Columbus.

 

[Jim]

No one will ever know. NHRA does not release ticket sales numbers, and tracks do not release capacity. That's why all the claims of sellouts are bogus.