Start n Park ?

[The Counterfeiter]

I'd be interested to know if NHRA is assisting lower funded teams in an attempt to try to provide full fields. This has gone on in NASCAR for many years and they finally had to give up and reduce field from 43 cars to 40. Obviously, no one is going to admit to this, but ya gotta admit it"s interesting.

 

[T.Smith]

I doubt they are.

 

[none]

They did call some teams and convince them to go to the four wide at Charlotte

 

[DrRocket]

It's my guess that independent teams may see this as an opportunity at a better chance to make the field for a national event.

 

[SoCal Racer]

While talking with Gary Densham's wife Joanne at the Barona Nitro Battle she mentioned that NHRA is trying to help some of the lesser funded teams, but didn't elaborate on how. So at least NHRA recognizes there's a problem and don't have their heads in the sand like during the Tom Compton years.

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

I would think these short fields would be perfect for the small teams to get into the show and make some runs.

 

[Nick Name]

I heard that NASCAR had to crack down on teams that were abusing that deal. You could make some money if you had a motor capable of qualifying. They would get in the back of the pack on race day, make one or two laps, come in as "broken" and the check was pretty good and there was not much wear and tear on the engine.

 

[Reese]

This should help small teams a little. NHRA eliminates fines during qualifying.
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=313409&NewHash=NHRA-SUMMIT#indextop

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

This should help small teams a little. NHRA eliminates fines during qualifying.
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=313409&NewHash=NHRA-SUMMIT#indextop

A step in the right direction, yes, but why stop half way? If they really want to help lower cost, to all teams, stop the fines altogether.

 

[The Counterfeiter]

I heard that NASCAR had to crack down on teams that were abusing that deal. You could make some money if you had a motor capable of qualifying. They would get in the back of the pack on race day, make one or two laps, come in as "broken" and the check was pretty good and there was not much wear and tear on the engine.

How about 250K for qualifying and starting Daytona 500? And . . . at least 50K for every other race. When I had all access for NASCAR races, saw pits on race day with no crew, tools, tires or fuel . . . one lap and collect your check!

 

[FABMAN]

I heard that NASCAR had to crack down on teams that were abusing that deal. You could make some money if you had a motor capable of qualifying. They would get in the back of the pack on race day, make one or two laps, come in as "broken" and the check was pretty good and there was not much wear and tear on the engine.

A friend on mine has used part business in Mooresvile said those teams that were that were doing that made a good living

 

[Jimbo]

Drivers who were part of the start and park guys did make a good living doing it.

Because NASCAR did not offer a better show or even a complete field of cars for every race it opened the doors for teams to sometimes enter a second truck or car in the show and then run 25 laps pull in and say either they had an ignition problem or a clutch problem and they would collect between $5,000 and up to $14,000 or more in some cases.

The Indy race is one every team would try to make because that race paid more money then the other races.

NASCAR would also call and ask if teams were coming to certain races and if the answer was no they asked why and the answer was always the same because of money.
I saw with my own eyes the $10,000 check the team received to help pay the bills and they loaded up the semi and off to the races they went.

Not sure how much of that goes on in drag racing.

Remember no TV package deal wants to see empty seats and fields that are not full fields for every race or they start to realize that maybe they should be something else.

Sometimes when I look at certain drag races and see 14 or 15 cars in Pro Classes I start thinking the TV people are looking at the same numbers I am.

Just my opinion. Jim Hill
http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com