for those interested here is the letter I sent to NHRA
To NHRA:
As you may know a petition was started with the hopes of stopping the countdown points system from going into effect this season. While we appreciate the effort to bring our sport to more fans we feel that a move such as this will actually harm the sport.
Currently every race, every round, every qualifying position matters. Winning the Winternationals is just as important as winning the Finals. Under the new system this will not be the case. Yes the points per round will be the same, but winning the first two races of the season means nothing compared to winning the last two races. One of the great things about Drag Racing is that it is competition at its purest. There are no refs to make bad call, no home field advantage, no timeouts; it is one machine, driver and crew versus another. Success is based and earned over a season of hard work and not just on who hits a lucky streak at the right time.
There is also a fear that the new system will hamper performance on two fronts. First in the early part of the season, a team would be foolish to try to set a record. Why should they make the record harder themselves to reach later in the season when the points are at more of a premium. I fear this means 1000ft shut off runs on what used to be exciting night qualifying sessions. Also there have been many complaints and accusations of team diving over the past few seasons. One can only imagine the ramifications the new system will have as it is going to encourage such actions. Whether real or perceived the integrity of any sports competition is paramount. How will it encourage new fans to come and old fans to stay if there is any question as to the effort racers are giving while on the track? In years past alternates were allowed to enter the field on race day if a qualified entrant could not compete in the first round. After accusations of championship contenders buying their way back into the races surfaced the alternate rule was changed. It would be naïve to think this could not occur again under the new system.
I was dismayed while reading the fan guide this year as examples were given as to how past seasons would have played out under the new system. The examples given are precisely what is wrong with the countdown. Fans will talk for years to come about Tony Shumachers amazing finish last year, just as they do about the Funny car chases 1992 and 2005. Fans also still talk about the dominant seasons that greats such as Glidden, Force and Prudhomme have enjoyed. Under the new system we will no longer celebrate greatness as mediocrity will now be forced upon us. NHRA PowerAde Drag Racing championships have always been earned through a season’s worth of excellence, now it will be a matter of dumb luck and whoever happens to be on a lucky streak at the right time. The championship means nothing more now then if a name was just selected out of a hat.
Drag racing is not like stick and ball sports, nor is it like NASCAR and that is just one of the many draws to our sport. NASCAR tried making this same move a few years ago and has seen less then stellar results. In fact due to their system not working they are instituting changes this year. After three years of the chase, recent polls have shown over 75% of NASCAR fans still do not like it. The TV ratings show this to be true. Consider the following numbers NASCAR has seen. The final race of the season, which under a playoff should be the most anticipated and therefore most watched race, has seen its numbers decline. This past season saw a 10% drop from 2005 and a 24% drop from 2004. In fact, the market share of the last 10 races of the chase this year is lower then they were the year prior to going to the chase. Also the regular season numbers have dropped as well. This is not progress, this is not growing a sport. NHRA PowerAde Drag Racing can not afford to see these types of losses, which is why creating a similar system to theirs makes no sense. One major point to consider is that NASCAR fans do not have another choice yet the numbers there are still declining. Drag racing fans do have a choice; there are other sanctioning bodies out there that offer the same sport we love.
I have heard one argument repeatedly used by people against this petition and the efforts behind it and that is that we fear change. I find that argument to show a complete lack of knowledge and respect for drag racing and its fans. We are the sport of evolution, of innovation and yes, of change. We not only accept and encourage change but we expect it. What other sport has gone through the drastic changes over its history that we have? What started out as racing your dad’s car evolved into specially built racing machines. Front engine dragsters became rear engine. Who would have thought moving an axel would evolve into the modern day funny car? Performance changes and innovations continue to grow the sport today. Now while we do appreciate change we are also steeped in tradition. One of the most important is the integrity of our races and our championships. This new countdown system will tarnish the championships rendering them meaningless.
In closing I would like to point out the wisdom on the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) commissioner, David Stern. At the start of the current season the NBA switched to a new ball. Players had issues with the ball complaining about the grip and that the micro fibers would actually cut their fingers. Fans also did not like it as turnovers had increased with the new ball, which lead to sloppier games. In the middle of the season, Mr. Stern had the wisdom and foresight to overturn his decision and return to the old ball. This decision has been praised as Mr. Stern put his sport before any ego. I pray that our sport is led by such wisdom.
I invite you to look at the petition as it will stay active for as long as the countdown remains in place. We are not only fans but customers as well and we will continue to spread the word.
NHRA points System Petition
Thank you for your time
PJ Sapienza
