Thursday test numbers (5 Viewers)

[Axman]

Sorry to have a pessimist view on these big speeds, but it's another year that NHRA has made no attempt to control the costs or safety of the nitro cars. If it shows later in the year, by the size of the fields, that we have plenty of teams that can afford to run these cars on the ragged edge safely then I'll shut up about it. Obviously none of us want to see anyone get hurt , or have to park their car if we start seeing the carnage of last year. Good luck to all teams.

 

[twostep]

Sorry to have a pessimist view on these big speeds, but it's another year that NHRA has made no attempt to control the costs or safety of the nitro cars. If it shows later in the year, by the size of the fields, that we have plenty of teams that can afford to run these cars on the ragged edge safely then I'll shut up about it. Obviously none of us want to see anyone get hurt , or have to park their car if we start seeing the carnage of last year. Good luck to all teams.

Some of that extra speed didn't come from running them on the ragged edge. It came from removing the rear body 'mud flaps'. Same with the (now banned) laid-back headers a few years back - that simple mod increased FC speeds 3-5mph and ET's .03-.05 seconds overnight. Made 'em a bitch to control in the traps but we saw times and speeds back in 2017 that would win any race in 2026. (Hight 3.79, 339)

So far the handful of drivers running 340 hasn't proved to be unsafe. But if somebody runs 350 the next thing you know everybody will shoot for 355 or 360. I say enough is enough.