SPEED SPORT: Susan Wade hits the spot (1 Viewer)

[Litefoot]

Perhaps so, but why the outright disdain/hostility towards drag racing? Underneath it all, aren't we all car guys/gals?? That's the part I don't get, but have seen over and over, locally.

I think most of those guys are wannabe NASCrap drivers with some sort of inferiority complex or something.

Eric no disrespect intended, we didn’t have a local dirt track in Vegas that runs weekly, drove my brothers midget up in Reno on dirt and had a blast, not anything like my Alterd, but had a good time, I don’t know why some have such negative views on other types of racing, as far as I’m concerned they are really missing out on drag racing, have hot lapped a NASCAR stock car at VEGAS speedway and have a new respect for what they do, truth is I like them all although my driving days are be hind me, I will always have fun memories and hope the narrow minded check it out for themselves

 

[Butch]

Kid Prock started in Quater Midget then went to Sprint cars on dirt

 

[GumbyWVU]

Eric no disrespect intended, we didn’t have a local dirt track in Vegas that runs weekly, drove my brothers midget up in Reno on dirt and had a blast, not anything like my Alterd, but had a good time, I don’t know why some have such negative views on other types of racing, as far as I’m concerned they are really missing out on drag racing, have hot lapped a NASCAR stock car at VEGAS speedway and have a new respect for what they do, truth is I like them all although my driving days are be hind me, I will always have fun memories and hope the narrow minded check it out for themselves

oh no worries, nothing to be disrepected taken. Years and years ago, I had a half-uncle in Mansfield, Ohio, who was a dirt and paved local track racer (he was pretty successful too). Seems the hostility comes from the more current class, say the past 20-25 years, because he was never like that nor others I knew of back then (70s-80s).

 

[sammi]

Nothing changes until entrepreneurs like Kenny Bernstein, Joe Amato, Tony Stewart and Don Prudhomme get on the BOD.

Our leadership in the NHRA needs to have experienced dealing with parts suppliers, loading a trailer on a hot afternoon when you are physically and mentally spent, a day(s) long drive to a track with no really idea if the car you are towing will go down the track or breaking out by .005 when it sure felt like you won. Business experts and lawyers are nice and all, but they sure haven't grown the sport much in 20 years.

 

[SoCal Racer]

Mark Pawuk and Dodge are royalty?

Huh? Pawuk runs FSS not FX. FX was the hope to replace Pro Camaro, but NHRA screwed it up and are not even running it anymore.

 

[SoCal Racer]

Perhaps so, but why the outright disdain/hostility towards drag racing? Underneath it all, aren't we all car guys/gals?? That's the part I don't get, but have seen over and over, locally.

I think most of those guys are wannabe NASCrap drivers with some sort of inferiority complex or something.

I used to think that drag race fans were car guys/gals, but not so much any more. Wally always said "the cars are the stars" and that's what attracted me. Now NHRA feels they need to try to make stars out of the personalities - which doesn't really work for car guys because they consider drivers secondary to the car (as far as awesomeness goes). Yes, a good driver can get a following, but I don't go to races to see drivers. I go to see cars.

 

[mick]

market with the stars, car guys are already there.

 

[Under_Pressure]

I used to think that drag race fans were car guys/gals, but not so much any more. Wally always said "the cars are the stars" and that's what attracted me. Now NHRA feels they need to try to make stars out of the personalities - which doesn't really work for car guys because they consider drivers secondary to the car (as far as awesomeness goes). Yes, a good driver can get a following, but I don't go to races to see drivers. I go to see cars.

Exactly how I feel. I really don't understand people who say they are into motorsports and only care about the people/personalities and couldn't care less about the technical aspects of the cars. Like if that's what you're after, why wouldn't you just be a fan of one of the thousand other sports that are ONLY about the athletes? This pandering to people who don't care about anything but "pretty cars go fast and have close finish by any means necessary" and the drivers' Instagram feeds is killing motorsports for the kind of people who built them and enjoy them for what they are supposed to be.

 

[Billy]

Exactly how I feel. I really don't understand people who say they are into motorsports and only care about the people/personalities and couldn't care less about the technical aspects of the cars. Like if that's what you're after, why wouldn't you just be a fan of one of the thousand other sports that are ONLY about the athletes? This pandering to people who don't care about anything but "pretty cars go fast and have close finish by any means necessary" and the drivers' Instagram feeds is killing motorsports for the kind of people who built them and enjoy them for what they are supposed to be.

What if you're really into numbers?

 

[GumbyWVU]

What if you're really into numbers?

Then you're still likely more a car person than someone following a cult of personality.

 

[none]

I used to think that drag race fans were car guys/gals, but not so much any more. Wally always said "the cars are the stars" and that's what attracted me. Now NHRA feels they need to try to make stars out of the personalities - which doesn't really work for car guys because they consider drivers secondary to the car (as far as awesomeness goes). Yes, a good driver can get a following, but I don't go to races to see drivers. I go to see cars.

David,

Not argung just discussing. I think you are in the minority. People want to see people compete. The competetion is secondary. No matter the sport.

As far back as you want to go. Book a couple of Funny Cars for a match race and you will get a crowd. Book Snake and Mongoose and you will get a much bigger crowd.

People have watched golf for years. More people watched when Tiger was playing.

There is a bigger crowd at the stadium on the days Shohei Ohtani is playing.

Sprint Car promoters would pay big for Kyle Larson to run a race because he sells more tickets.

The line at the back of Maddi Gordon's hauler isn't there to see the car.

It's always been about people.

Alan

 

[65 Goatboy]

I used to think that drag race fans were car guys/gals, but not so much any more. Wally always said "the cars are the stars" and that's what attracted me. Now NHRA feels they need to try to make stars out of the personalities - which doesn't really work for car guys because they consider drivers secondary to the car (as far as awesomeness goes). Yes, a good driver can get a following, but I don't go to races to see drivers. I go to see cars.

I personally have never met a racing fan who wasn't a car guy or gal. A interesting personality behind the wheel is icing on the cake.

 

[Flicka]

David,

Not argung just discussing. I think you are in the minority. People want to see people compete. The competetion is secondary. No matter the sport.

As far back as you want to go. Book a couple of Funny Cars for a match race and you will get a crowd. Book Snake and Mongoose and you will get a much bigger crowd.

People have watched golf for years. More people watched when Tiger was playing.

There is a bigger crowd at the stadium on the days Shohei Ohtani is playing.

Sprint Car promoters would pay big for Kyle Larson to run a race because he sells more tickets.

The line at the back of Maddi Gordon's hauler isn't there to see the car.

It's always been about people.

Alan

Plus we have diversity with a capital D

 

[John Farce Racing]

David,

Not argung just discussing. I think you are in the minority. People want to see people compete. The competetion is secondary. No matter the sport.

As far back as you want to go. Book a couple of Funny Cars for a match race and you will get a crowd. Book Snake and Mongoose and you will get a much bigger crowd.

People have watched golf for years. More people watched when Tiger was playing.

There is a bigger crowd at the stadium on the days Shohei Ohtani is playing.

Sprint Car promoters would pay big for Kyle Larson to run a race because he sells more tickets.

The line at the back of Maddi Gordon's hauler isn't there to see the car.

It's always been about people.

Alan

Well, sort of. If Maddi Gordon was racing a top dragster, there wouldn't be lines of people to see her.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Well, sort of. If Maddi Gordon was racing a top dragster, there wouldn't be lines of people to see her.

Or running track and field, LOL.

Again about being car people, I was aiming at fans of one type I would think generally supporting other forms of racing, with the cars being the common denominator. That's why I never understood how one type being so outright dismissive of other types.

I think, though, it has evolved in NHRA from being the cars to being the drivers more so. An interesting evolution.

 

[none]

Well, sort of. If Maddi Gordon was racing a top dragster, there wouldn't be lines of people to see her.

True, but TD doesn't get the exposure that TF does. Her TAFC had a pretty good number of fans at the ropes as the Alcohol Cars do get some exposure. But she was usually working on the car and didn't have as much time to commit to the ropes as she does now.

Alan

 

[ATC TWR]

what are your reasons? this is interesting because i've always thought you can have a great drag race at any venue, as long as you
have a great track. so many events at 'lesser' venues succeed, while others, like the fall zmax race do not. drag racing is simple; its
a track, a tower, some bleachers, and some pits. it's the same everywhere, but each track has a personality that draws people.
some more than others. for example, sonoma, and bristol for location/landscape.

Hello. I have been to every Zmax national event since the inaugural 2008 race. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Zmax is the best drag racing facility on the planet for fans. The pro pit side grandstands actually have seating UNDERNEATH the stands with aluminum picnic tables and long benches. People eat and socialize there. Plenty of standing areas below those pit side grandstands too. The shade underneath the pit side grandstands from the heat/sun is irreplaceable. Also a great place to wait out the rain. No other dragstrip offers these things. The "east" grandstand is only slightly similar. I like to sit just past the 330 ft mark but I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The facility even has numerous showers. Huge nice clean restrooms. They will pick you up near the parking lots and take you in a trailer/bench like vehicle so you don't have a long walk to/from the track. No charge. The zmax facilty offers so much. If one has never been, I would encourage one to go and compare for oneself. I would like to address the fall race held in 2025 but this post is almost too long already. LOL!

 

[GumbyWVU]

Hello. I have been to every Zmax national event since the inaugural 2008 race. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Zmax is the best drag racing facility on the planet for fans. The pro pit side grandstands actually have seating UNDERNEATH the stands with aluminum picnic tables and long benches. People eat and socialize there. Plenty of standing areas below those pit side grandstands too. The shade underneath the pit side grandstands from the heat/sun is irreplaceable. Also a great place to wait out the rain. No other dragstrip offers these things. The "east" grandstand is only slightly similar. I like to sit just past the 330 ft mark but I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The facility even has numerous showers. Huge nice clean restrooms. They will pick you up near the parking lots and take you in a trailer/bench like vehicle so you don't have a long walk to/from the track. No charge. The zmax facilty offers so much. If one has never been, I would encourage one to go and compare for oneself. I would like to address the fall race held in 2025 but this post is almost too long already. LOL!

Have to agree with everything you said. There are a lot of tables to sit under the stands. I wish Norwalk would add more.

I've only been to a few tracks compared to many here but Zmax is very nice, and the roads to get out are great too.