National event question (1 Viewer)

[Speed1288]

Hey guys I'm not sure if this has been brought up before but is Thursday worth going to the national events? Like are the drivers there or is it just sportsman stuff? My school is ten minutes from maple grove so I'm thinking of going on that day.

 

[mick]

ten minutes? why even think about it.
all the days are great, including thursday, weather permitting.

 

[n/a]

Check it out. You will not know until go. If nothing else you will know the lay of the land assuming you’re attending later in the weekend.

 

[TooTall999]

One year, we got to Brainerd on Thursday(we usually only go to the track Fri-Sun) and decided to check it out. We were kinda late and the racing was done for the day. We were walking through the pits and saw Eric Medlen decaling John's Indy body. We stopped and chatted with him for awhile,hard to do when the pits are full of fans, but being Thursday there wasn't much of a crowd at all. We visited with him for about 20-25 minutes,about nothing in particular. I'm so glad we did go in on Thursday,as the following spring Eric was killed. Had we not decided to stop by the track, we never would have had the chance we did. Bottom line, if you have the opportunity, go for it.

 

[scubasteve]

i like "just the sportsman stuff" for me its not all bout nitro

 

[rick]

I would definitely go to check it out and since it's only 10 minutes away....why not

 

[StockersRock]

i like "just the sportsman stuff" for me its not all bout nitro

I much prefer, in fact. Given the time and proximity, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

 

[mastertone]

I would never go on a Thursday and be stuck "watching" all the super classes, If it were just Stock, Super Stock & Comp I would be there.

 

[Speed1288]

Oh I love the sportsman stuff too, but between racing and going to countless divisionals I've seen enough to last a few lifetimes. Its just cool to see some of the 'heavy artillery' once a year.

 

[HEMI6point1]

We always go to G-ville from Thursday-Sun.

While many pro drivers aren't there (Like the OP I got lucky and chatted with Eric Medlen on Thursday back in '07) there are plenty of sportsman drivers there who are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

 

[clwill]

Find the couple of sportsman cars you find most interesting (best looking, most unusual, best looking driver, whatever) and strike up a conversation. I guarantee you they are bored to tears, national events suck for us in the sportsman classes, and will be more than happy to talk. If you pick someone who's been around a while, you'll learn more about drag racing in those few minutes than you will in 3 years of watching ESPN.

 

[Tim5636sc]

Hey guys I'm not sure if this has been brought up before but is Thursday worth going to the national events? Like are the drivers there or is it just sportsman stuff? My school is ten minutes from maple grove so I'm thinking of going on that day.

OK...i'll ask the stupid question...

"WHERE DO YOU LIVE?"

If you live 10 mins from POMONA, Thursday would be the PERFECT day to go as there is a Pro qualifying session on Thursday.

10 Mins from "The Grove", good day to go, since most of the Top Alcohol and fuel teams will be set up and pitted, you can stop by and like Mr. Williams said, strike up a conversation with the crew guys and you'll learn some amazing stuff.

10 Mins from "the Strip" at LVMS? Great day to go. See above, plus you can leave a bit early and head to the 'Fan Fest' down on Fremont street.

 

[Reese]

Find the couple of sportsman cars you find most interesting (best looking, most unusual, best looking driver, whatever) and strike up a conversation. I guarantee you they are bored to tears, national events suck for us in the sportsman classes, and will be more than happy to talk. If you pick someone who's been around a while, you'll learn more about drag racing in those few minutes than you will in 3 years of watching ESPN.

What Chris said, that is my favorite day because of his statement.

 

[mick]

back a few years wednesday at brainerd was always great;
ride bike or golf cart thru pits, watch rigs pull thru gates and park, then theft
ruined everything.

 

[BaldyLochs]

But didn't NHRA used to run more classes on Thursday, like in the late 80's or early 90's? I used to buy the 4 day Chief Auto Parts "Super Seat" passes at the Motorplex, in those seats right next to the tower, in the days before it was Top Eliminator Club. I'm sure they ran the alcohol cars - and maybe even the 1st round of nitro too ????

 

[mick]

alcohol cars used to run on thursdays - i remember that

 

[mfoper]

I went to the Dallas race on a Thursday this year, mainly because I had to work was unable to attend the weekend racing. I felt like the $10 entry fee on Thursday was well worth it. The only racing was sportsman qualifying which is fun to watch. You have your pick of seats on Thursday and great spots along the fence line for photos. On the weekend along the fence it is usually 2 or 3 deep. On Thursday many of the attraction are not open such as souvenir trailers and such. The main NHRA souvenir tent was open. Many of the pro team had their cars out so you can get some good photos without a lot of people around. I felt like I got $10 worth of entertainment out of going on Thursday.

 

[BurkartFan]

So many other posters have said it so well, but I wanted to add my enthusiasm for Thursdays at national events. It's so much fun to watch some of the teams still rolling in (just to watch those monster rigs being pulled into position so smoothly), watching them unpack trailers and set up, getting much easier views of the cars, more relaxed pace in the pits, and a great opportunity to walk all the way through the sportsman pits and have conversations with all sorts of teams. The cars are gorgeous, nearly all of the people are friendly and excited to show off their cars and answer questions, and you can really get the idea where everything is and try watching some of the sportsman races from various parts along the track.

Even though not every pro driver is there on Thursdays, those that are can be a lot more accessible than at any other time during the weekend, and the crews can be a little more relaxed and open too. Highly recommended, and I live 3 hours from my "local" national event track!

 

[Toejam]

i like "just the sportsman stuff" for me its not all bout nitro

The only time I ever see Scuba Steve is when I roam the staging lanes and the Sportsman are running, usually S/C or S/G!

 

[scubasteve]

joe , we usually watch it from 800 ft or see( pro stuff) or racers section..... ull see me a lil more in vegas . palmer and lagana are both running there... come by if u need a lil refreshment break or hang a lil after ,,,, already looking forward to your pics,,, halloween in vegas is my kinda time,,, im always around during stock and super stock too ,, depends on whos entered.... ur just looking for all that eye candy ,,,, thats a good thing ,,, scuba definitely isnt eye candy