Maple Grove on 2027 NHRA schedule? (3 Viewers)

[handsome]

But they added Rockingham in that slot. Only way to add MG back on will be to increase the schedule or somebody losing a race.

thanks Chris. I forgot they put Rockingham in that slot

 

[GumbyWVU]

if norwalk runs the last weekend of june, and bandimere is rebuilt, there would be 4 races between july 4th and labor day.
you could conceivably move the michigan race into summer and back to back it with brainerd, but the pro fields
seem stretched to their limits already with the available nhra purse money. IMO if a little more purse money was available, i think
nhra could expand to 21 races again and michigan/bir could work and host 5 races between norwalk and indy. if ihra showed us
anything, it showed with a little more money to cover the nut, independent racers were there ...... blah blah blah, and then maple grove
retains its position following indy.

Could be pretty good timing - with Indy a couple weeks away, isn't that the time when the next year's schedule is released? MG potentially returning would likely delay a 2027 schedule release if all venues this year return and shuffle the schedule. Or perhap, MG and MIR could align with Epping's event to help logistically?

I've often wondered if the pros were given a chance, how they might schedule events to better suit travel budgets and weather. Anyone on here ever try to come up with something?

 

[Chili]

While not too popular with some, I would make the World Finals in Vegas and squeeze MG into the countdown. I have nothing against Pomona but they don’t draw large enough crowds to need two events.

 

[Brutus26]

if norwalk runs the last weekend of june, and bandimere is rebuilt, there would be 4 races between july 4th and labor day.
you could conceivably move the michigan race into summer and back to back it with brainerd, but the pro fields
seem stretched to their limits already with the available nhra purse money. IMO if a little more purse money was available, i think
nhra could expand to 21 races again and michigan/bir could work and host 5 races between norwalk and indy. if ihra showed us
anything, it showed with a little more money to cover the nut, independent racers were there ...... blah blah blah, and then maple grove
retains its position following indy.

That seems like a feasible option. But I would think BIR would have to move their race a week or two earlier (depending on divisional race) and then maybe US 131. Logistically: over 700 miles between Brainerd & US 131; 250 miles between US 131 & Indy; with Norwalk being even 20 mile less in between. Sorry. I’m a true Ohio person (Buckeye) and absolutely refuse to say the name of that state up north!

 

[aakar]

While not too popular with some, I would make the World Finals in Vegas and squeeze MG into the countdown. I have nothing against Pomona but they don’t draw large enough crowds to need two events.

I would hate to see the Finals in Vegas. The only thing worse than 4Wide is seeing a normal event on a 4Wide racetrack.
Restore Vegas to make it look like a dragstrip before anything else....

 

[none]

Saving the teams travel time/money sounds like a Great idea, and it could be. But........

You have to be careful with fan overlap. For instance when Houston was on the schedule many fans attended both Houston in the spring and Dallas in the fall, but if they ran back to back fans would pick one or the other. Races that share fans need to be separated on the calendar to make it financially more feasible for fans to hit both.

Alan

 

[GumbyWVU]

Saving the teams travel time/money sounds like a Great idea, and it could be. But........

You have to be careful with fan overlap. For instance when Houston was on the schedule many fans attended both Houston in the spring and Dallas in the fall, but if they ran back to back fans would pick one or the other. Races that share fans need to be separated on the calendar to make it financially more feasible for fans to hit both.

Alan

Yep, definitely a balancing act. Would be interesting to see how many folks attend both, given that they are relatively close to each other (what like 250 miles?) I've went back to back Bristol and Norwalk twice being somewhat in between them.

 

[ironpony]

So if they bring back a couple of the "famous" tracks and have to cut out the couple of new ones they added............hardly seems right. Seems a little like recent events, get their hopes up and pull the rug out.

 

[z28]

So if they bring back a couple of the "famous" tracks and have to cut out the couple of new ones they added............hardly seems right. Seems a little like recent events, get their hopes up and pull the rug out.

keep in mind NHRA had 23 nationals not many years ago. They can make a schedule work if they want to. The big question is can the sponsors pony up the $$$ to support additional races.

 

[Mike]

Does Pomona really need 2 races?

 

[mick]

Does Pomona really need 2 races?

not so full bleachers say no. a healthy nhra lease at the fairgrounds and in-n-out money say yes.

 

[aakar]

Does Pomona really need 2 races?

Yes, they are the cradle of civilization for the Drag Racing world

 

[T.Smith]

We've never had it better here in the Midwest for NHRA national events. All within driving distance from Chicagoland. Joliet (10 - 60 minutes), Martin (2.5 hours), Indy (3 hours) St. Louis (4 hours), Norwalk (5.5 Hours) & Brainerd (8 hours).

At one time your choices were Columbus (6 hours) & Indy (3 hours).

 

[GumbyWVU]

So if they bring back a couple of the "famous" tracks and have to cut out the couple of new ones they added............hardly seems right. Seems a little like recent events, get their hopes up and pull the rug out.

hmmm....could be a new word now for our language - don't get "cuttelled".

NHRA pulls out of 131 and MIR - those tracks got "cuttelled."

Went to the store and they didn't have the sale advertised item - customer got "cuttelled."

The hot chick said yes to a date and then ghosted the guy - he got "cuttelled."

 

[Butch]

Don't Cuttelled me. Lol

 

[Litefoot]

keep in mind NHRA had 23 nationals not many years ago. They can make a schedule work if they want to. The big question is can the sponsors pony up the $$$ to support additional races.

Good point Ken

 

[NitroRichFire]

MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY CLOSES, SUSPENDS RACING SCHEDULE AS IHRA FACES MORE UNCERTAINTY | Competition Plus

The IHRA, apparently walking more boldly in the drag racing landscape, arrived at the 2025 PRI Show showing much bravado with expansion, acquisitions, and a

competitionplus.com

 

[none]

Adding races by the tracks sharing a market alternating between spring and fall sounds like a great idea, but it may really stretch the race teams and Safety Safari with back to backs

 

[mgty3whlr]

MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY CLOSES, SUSPENDS RACING SCHEDULE AS IHRA FACES MORE UNCERTAINTY | Competition Plus

The IHRA, apparently walking more boldly in the drag racing landscape, arrived at the 2025 PRI Show showing much bravado with expansion, acquisitions, and a

competitionplus.com

Check out Post #71 Rich. That will probably bring you up to speed a little bit quicker than this Ad covered link with no answer. Sorry Bobby.

 

[ironpony]

keep in mind NHRA had 23 nationals not many years ago. They can make a schedule work if they want to. The big question is can the sponsors pony up the $$$ to support additional races.

Good point Ken

The budgets are stretched too far now, yes lets add more races and expenses for small teams.........