I doubt the migration has anything to do with the Countdown, HDP, Tom Compton, lack of TV coverage for anybody but Force or any other reason all the Chicken Littles on this board always harp about. I seriously doubt it has anything to do with being ill-treated by the IHRA. Racers universally praise IHRA with the exception of Pro Mod (and as long as there are 2 combinations, they will never be happy anyway).
Maybe they were able to put together a big enough budget that running NHRA becomes feasible.
Maybe they just wanted to race more than the 11 events a year the IHRA runs.
Maybe folks like Nobile and Patrick (rumored to be coming to the 500in ranks a few months ago) didn't like the way things turned out in their first go around in NHRA and want another crack at it.
Lastly, this is not a knock on the IHRA or any other sanctioning body, but everyone knows if you want to run with the best, NHRA is the place to do it.
I say welcome, the more the merrier. Hopefully someone will find something for Cagnazzi and Team Summit next year.
I am very curious to see another IHRA stalwart from the mountain motor wars, and that is Sonny Leonard horsepower under the hood ....