Potomac nats (29 Viewers)

[Litefoot]

they use the motocross track property and maybe even other land for spectator parking?
wonder if the government ATF is extra alert when this much nitromethane comes so close to the capital?

Don’t give the government any ideas,

 

[Professional Fan]

No legends signing autographs or in the booth on the schedule.

Shirley is listed as the legend for the race.

 

[Percboy]

They used land next to the track for spectator parking. There was several rows of parking, then a line of trees with a gap in the middle, and more parking on the other side of the trees. The parking started about 3/4 of the way down the drag strip. If you are standing on the startign line looking down the track, the parking was on the left.

Interactive Map

https://app.oneplan.io/share/aQ0Tek03S2-gOQyqjGVP0g?level_id=86538fe6-d929-40d8-94c5-b61ce5b517e0

 

[mick]

Shirley is listed as the legend for the race.

they list these former great drivers as legends, use their name, likeness, and in person appearances, not just this year,
but constantly. do you think they are compensated? does a piece of merchandise from the nitro mall that uses a name, or
likeness from the past, end up compensating the actual former racer?
i see a 'muldowney' tent on the interactive map that steve mills linked. is shirley paying a fee to nhra to sell merch from her own tent,
yet she's the 'legend' of the race? wondering how the money all works there.

 

[mick]

steve mills: where did you find that interactive map with race layout? is there one of these for every event? have never seen one.
del is pitting with the kalitta block .... looks like spectators have to walk around back of tower and lanes to access the
tower/pro pit side? ...... there is a merch tent called 'Zyn', a swedish tobaccoless nicotine pouch. interesting.
i like how the pro pits are directly behind the bleachers. nitro warmups rite behind you and ultra convenient to access.

 

[Percboy]

steve mills: where did you find that interactive map with race layout? is there one of these for every event? have never seen one.
del is pitting with the kalitta block .... looks like spectators have to walk around back of tower and lanes to access the
tower/pro pit side? ...... there is a merch tent called 'Zyn', a swedish tobaccoless nicotine pouch. interesting.
i like how the pro pits are directly behind the bleachers. nitro warmups rite behind you and ultra convenient to access.

Hit event "details" on home page
Scroll down , click image.
Looks like they plan one for each event.

2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals Event Guide

 

[Jim]

Interactive Map

https://app.oneplan.io/share/aQ0Tek03S2-gOQyqjGVP0g?level_id=86538fe6-d929-40d8-94c5-b61ce5b517e0

Looks like they cleared out some of the trees from what I remember. I haven't been there in about a dozen years.

 

[GumbyWVU]

wonder if the government ATF is extra alert when this much nitromethane comes so close to the capital?

I sure hope so, I'd hate for the DC stench to foul the smell of nitro (and racing gas too) in the morning.

 

[Michalek Brothers Racing]

Yes, there is. MIR used to get large spectator crowds and large fields when it had IHRA national events in the early to mid-2000s.

Those were some of my favorite events growing up.

One main key difference, however, is the entourage that comes with the NHRA professional show. Just looking at the 31 Fuel cars entered this weekend, for example. At a mid-2000s IHRA event, that would be 31 pit spots. This weekend, it will be around 60, and then you have to account for 5+ full hospitality suites that take up 3 pit spots each. Add on top of that a full manufacturer's midway, the Nitro mall, etc. and you're conservatively down 90 or more premium pit spots before you even start placing Pro Stock. IHRA would have been able to place their entire 5 class professional show in this same footprint and started loading in sportsman classes to fill out the rest of the property.

Edit - Typo.

 

[65 Goatboy]

they use the motocross track property and maybe even other land for spectator parking?
wonder if the government ATF is extra alert when this much nitromethane comes so close to the capital?

I sure hope so, I'd hate for the DC stench to foul the smell of nitro (and racing gas too) in the morning.

Wouldn't hurt to rattle DC's windows once in a while.

 

[J. S.]

they list these former great drivers as legends, use their name, likeness, and in person appearances, not just this year,
but constantly. do you think they are compensated? does a piece of merchandise from the nitro mall that uses a name, or
likeness from the past, end up compensating the actual former racer?
i see a 'muldowney' tent on the interactive map that steve mills linked. is shirley paying a fee to nhra to sell merch from her own tent,
yet she's the 'legend' of the race? wondering how the money all works there.

Mike: I saw Bruce Larson walking around the pits at the Winternationals recently, so I stopped him and chatted for a few minutes. The subject came up about NHRA paying for his travel costs (Bruce still lives in PA) to get to Pomona and he said no. But it was more like "Are you kidding?". Now Bruce Larson is not Shirley or Garlits, and I would be very surprised if they weren't paying travel costs for those two legends this year. Even though Big could certainly afford to pay his own way. Not sure about Shirley.

 

[mick]

jon, thanks for the reply and the b. larson story. interesting, and not surprising ..... i think shirley still attends various events
with her own tent hocking her own wares? my best guess is she'd rather not be doing that if she didn't have to?

 

[Jim]

Those were some of my favorite events growing up.

One main key difference, however, is the entourage that comes with the NHRA professional show. Just looking at the 31 Fuel cars entered this weekend, for example. At a mid-2000s IHRA event, that would be 31 pit spots. This weekend, it will be around 60, and then you have to account for 5+ full hospitality suites that take up 3 pit spots each. Add on top of that a full manufacturer's midway, the Nitro mall, etc. and you're conservatively down 90 or more premium pit spots before you even start placing Pro Stock. IHRA would have been able to place their entire 5 class professional show in this same footprint and started loading in sportsman classes to fill out the rest of the property.

Edit - Typo.

I recall hearing a lot of the same concerns before the first NHRA weekend at New England. That all worked out OK.

 

[z28]

I recall hearing a lot of the same concerns before the first NHRA weekend at New England. That all worked out OK.

You would think NHRA has it figured out

 

[T.Smith]

I think there is only 300' of concrete(?) so track may be tricky

Time will tell, but so far, some good words from pre-race track prep on the condition of the asphalt.

 

[T.Smith]

You would think NHRA has it figured out

I believe the Epping race has produced a business model where NHRA can go into some smaller venues like Martin & Budds Creek, put on a good show and have the event be profitable.

 

[T.Smith]

118 total entries?

When was the last time a national event had so little cars?

I believe some of the Denver races had car counts in the 100s.

 

[Nunz]

jon, thanks for the reply and the b. larson story. interesting, and not surprising ..... i think shirley still attends various events
with her own tent hocking her own wares? my best guess is she'd rather not be doing that if she didn't have to?

Whether Shirley needs to or not, it's not a horrible way to spend some weekends in an environment that's been her whole world, and spending time with fans and fellow racers. And, making a few dollars as well.

 

[Mike]

I believe some of the Denver races had car counts in the 100s.

Tony, these smaller tracks with fewer entries would also be a perfect testing ground for a Saturday night Finals with live tv.

If it could be handled in a 6:30 or 7 pm to 10:30 or 11 pm finish, that is an evening of prime time for Fox.

 

[James]

I believe some of the Denver races had car counts in the 100s.

2022 Denver: 143

Wow.