not the biggest fan of the new system, but now we've got:
- qualifying points races throughout year for 'special $$ races' for 4 pro categories (that's 4 races within races throughout year)
- indy........ just because it's indy.
- starting this year, indy will play yet another role in determining 'final 8'
in each of 4 pro categories
- will have another race to determine 'final 4' for 4 pro categories
i believe richmond will deliver the 'final 4'
- ultimately the pomona finals to crown champions
that's 8 different 'races' within the year, each with it's fair share
of publicity - now nhra says they want a 'playoff mentality' similar
to many other sports.
IMO think nhra is trying to develop new avenues for sponsor exposure.
This year after indy there will be 32 pro teams that will be 'in the mix';
that's 32 potential sponsors that will receive additional exposure for the
month of september followed by 16 sponsors that will continue to receive
additional exposure for the month of october.
If I was a potential sponsor and my driver was not john force; i think i'd
have a better chance at being a 'top 8/top 4' car annually than a
series champion.
All sponsors hope for a championship, but really aren't they all out for
maximum exposure, a championship only being icing on the cake?
Everyone always says 'without our fans we wouldn't be here'
I would say the fans follow the drivers/cars who wouldn't be there
without the sponsors; sponsors products in turn back to the fans.
the new points do suck for us fans and i'm sure even some owners/drivers,
but all racing has become so big business and big dollar that without
those dollars there's nothing there. Some might still think
it's a sport, but reality says it's entertainment. We all want
drag racing to thrive well into the future; the new points
may be a necessary evil