Time for an NHRA Press Release

[smokemasterJ]

With all this crap about Danica Patrick moving to NASCAR full time, isn't about time for NHRA to put out some PR about a truly DIVERSE racing series? Female champions, female race winners (more than one race), African-American drivers, etc. I don't think NASCAR can claim any one of the aforementioned!

 

[mick]

somewhere recently heard someone say something to effect 'any race car
driver wearing a firesuit is game for public admiration & scrutiny'....something
about if an nhra driver in full firesuit were standing next to nascar same,
what's the difference?... difference being public perception of driver and
series based on knowledge attained via media exposure....
comments then went on about how nhra used to enjoy more popularity than nascar in 70's and
of course... looked what happened.

although i don't have the answers, yes, i think drag racing can once again
improve it's public perception, and IMO it starts with promotions to get
butts in the seats @ nat. events - this sport is a sensory experience; the
tv viewership will follow but you have to get them there first.
stood next to arkansas guy working in mn last weekend; he said his first race
was 6 years ago and he hasn't missed one annually yet;
before that he was an admitted hardcore nascar fan (his age mid 30's)

 

[clwill]

The date for said press release was a month (a year) ago when it became clear she was going to make the move. Now I worry that it just sounds like sour grapes.

But perhaps maybe "The women of the NHRA welcome another woman into the top tier of motorsports" accompanied by a collage of the dozens of prominent female stars and champions our sport has seen.

 

[Jon Asher]

Every timeNASCAR puts out a press release about their Diversity Program -- something they obviously feel they have to do because the perception of NASCAR is that it's a lily-white good ole boys club made up exclusively of southern rednecks (sorry, but that IS the national perception) -- some newspaper guy who knows nothing about racing will call NHRA. Trust me on this, this is how the calls go:

"Does NHRA have a Diversity Program?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we've never needed one."

"Why not?"

"Because drag racing has always welcomed anyone who wants to compete.
We've had women competing in the professional ranks for three decades, and they've won championships and dozens of races. We have and continue to have championship-caliber and championship-contending African-Americans, Hispanics and every other ethnic group you can name. Diversity? NHRA Drag Racing is all about diversity, and because it is, we see no reason to make public pronouncements to that effect."

End of call.

I find fault with NHRA on a myriad of topics every other minute, but in this area they've been the leaders, not the followers.

NHRA regularly includes women and minorities in their press releases, and certainly doesn't need to do anything special just because of Danica Patrick.

But I would suggest to Randy Bernard at IndyCar that if he thinks it's been tough to get ink in 2011, just wait until Danica's gone, because she and she alone drives the media in that series. She's clearly not the best driver in not the best car, but it doesn't matter. She drove the pre-race publicity for the Indy 500, and does so for every race. That series is still feeling the affects of the CART split years ago, and too many non-American drivers that American fans don't know or care about is killing them.

Drag racing is getting better TV ratings than IndyCar (other than the 500), but they're still smaller than they should be.

Jon Asher

 

[BaldyLochs]

I was wondering if someone would post something about this. Did you see her, with her car, firesuit and pink heels?? LOL I imagine Simpson or someone like that was rather disappointed when they found out she wouldn't be wearing a pair of thier driver's shoes for the shoot.... like any other driver in the world would typically wear. It's going to be interesting to see how DP does, because one screw up, and those boys will rip her apart, both on and off the track.
The difference with NHRA is, we have girls - and have had for some time - who are fierce competitors, and are, at times, out-performing the men... but, we embrace the competition and have fun with it..... we're past the "woman hater" stage. NASCAR has to get over that hump yet

 

[Rat]

Every timeNASCAR puts out a press release about their Diversity Program -- something they obviously feel they have to do because the perception of NASCAR is that it's a lily-white good ole boys club made up exclusively of southern rednecks (sorry, but that IS the national perception) -- some newspaper guy who knows nothing about racing will call NHRA. Trust me on this, this is how the calls go:

"Does NHRA have a Diversity Program?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we've never needed one."

"Why not?"

"Because drag racing has always welcomed anyone who wants to compete.
We've had women competing in the professional ranks for three decades, and they've won championships and dozens of races. We have and continue to have championship-caliber and championship-contending African-Americans, Hispanics and every other ethnic group you can name. Diversity? NHRA Drag Racing is all about diversity, and because it is, we see no reason to make public pronouncements to that effect."

End of call.

I find fault with NHRA on a myriad of topics every other minute, but in this area they've been the leaders, not the followers.

NHRA regularly includes women and minorities in their press releases, and certainly doesn't need to do anything special just because of Danica Patrick.

But I would suggest to Randy Bernard at IndyCar that if he thinks it's been tough to get ink in 2011, just wait until Danica's gone, because she and she alone drives the media in that series. She's clearly not the best driver in not the best car, but it doesn't matter. She drove the pre-race publicity for the Indy 500, and does so for every race. That series is still feeling the affects of the CART split years ago, and too many non-American drivers that American fans don't know or care about is killing them.

Drag racing is getting better TV ratings than IndyCar (other than the 500), but they're still smaller than they should be.

Jon Asher

Perfect post

 

[Nick Name]

Every timeNASCAR puts out a press release about their Diversity Program -- something they obviously feel they have to do because the perception of NASCAR is that it's a lily-white good ole boys club made up exclusively of southern rednecks (sorry, but that IS the national perception) -- some newspaper guy who knows nothing about racing will call NHRA. Trust me on this, this is how the calls go:

"Does NHRA have a Diversity Program?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we've never needed one."

"Why not?"

"Because drag racing has always welcomed anyone who wants to compete.
We've had women competing in the professional ranks for three decades, and they've won championships and dozens of races. We have and continue to have championship-caliber and championship-contending African-Americans, Hispanics and every other ethnic group you can name. Diversity? NHRA Drag Racing is all about diversity, and because it is, we see no reason to make public pronouncements to that effect."

End of call.

I find fault with NHRA on a myriad of topics every other minute, but in this area they've been the leaders, not the followers.

NHRA regularly includes women and minorities in their press releases, and certainly doesn't need to do anything special just because of Danica Patrick.

But I would suggest to Randy Bernard at IndyCar that if he thinks it's been tough to get ink in 2011, just wait until Danica's gone, because she and she alone drives the media in that series. She's clearly not the best driver in not the best car, but it doesn't matter. She drove the pre-race publicity for the Indy 500, and does so for every race. That series is still feeling the affects of the CART split years ago, and too many non-American drivers that American fans don't know or care about is killing them.

Drag racing is getting better TV ratings than IndyCar (other than the 500), but they're still smaller than they should be.

Jon Asher

There is definitely a severe lack of Bubbas in Indy Car.

 

[Rat]

nothing pisses me off more to know that mainstream America believes IRL is # 2 to watch and NHRA does nothing to fix that image. It's like all NHRA brass want to do is either try and beat NASCAR for # 1 or do nothing. The fans made it what it is. Their current strength has been made by us fans who care.

 

[Jon Asher]

There is definitely a reluctance on the part of NHRA to tout their sometimes better TV ratings, and this reluctance is based solely on the fact that the ratings are so small to begin with.

But, I agree that drag racing should talk about its successes, whatever they may be, and no matter how small they might appear to be.

Maybe the reluctance to talk about higher ratings than those achieved by IndyCar is for fear that touting those small numbers might hurt both groups. I don't agree with that thinking, and do believe that the only way of "convincing" newspaper and TV sports writers who have an extremely limited understanding of motorsports in the first place that drag racing is bigger than IndyCar racing is to talk about that disparity in TV ratings and attendance.

If you've watched any IndyCar racing at all on TV you already know that their attendance figures are pathetic. The Infineon race is on TV now and the place is all but deserted. That SHOULD speak volumes, and it COULD, but only if the media were smart enough to recognize empty seats when they see them, and then write about it.

The crowd that appeared for the Fram/Autolite Nationals at Infineon was far larger on Sunday than is there for the IndyCar race, and we also had strong crowds Friday and Saturday.

At the end of the day the truly telling numbers will be what the track grossed from each event, numbers we're unlikely to see but that could be incredibly enlightening when comparing the two series.

Drag racing is never going to surpass the attendance figures and TV ratings of the Indy 500 (although I'm willing to bet that the 2012 ratings will be lower than this year's because of Danica's departure -- unless she gets a one-off ride for the 500, a distinct possibility), so we can't win that one. But we can darn sure win every other argument that compares the two endeavors.

When considering the Indy 500 it's also important to remember that attendance has been in pretty steep decline for a number of years, and despite recent efforts by IndyCar to spin it, one also shouldn't forget that POle Day used to attract 200,000 ticket buyers. This year the crowd was reported to be 30,000, but it looked a lot more like 10,000 to 15,000 than it did 30,000.

And if you don't think IndyCar is having problems, just check out the deals and potential plans for their finale in Las Vegas. They are determined to have the place full, and everyone in Glitter Gulch knows the house is going to be heavily papered (that's free tickets for those having trouble following along!).

We have a good story to tell. We just need good people to tell it.

Jon Asher

 

[BF]

INDY 500 tickets sales and ratings were great this year because of the 100th anniversary race. They will probablly drop back next year and then be great again when they run the 100th race in 6 years. I saw seats filled this year that hadn't been filled in years. Thing is, the INDY 500 still gets more ink than all the NHRA races combined. If they don't get some prominent American drivers in that series...even that will change.

 

[S&M]

NASCAR gets live coverage of them practicing.
The shows of them practicing start on time, they are never delayed by some other show that runs long.

NHRA cannot get a tape delayed show of a race to start on time.

NHRA has a long way to go to even to get in the long sun setting shadow of NASCAR.

 

[Rat]

Excellent points Jon and Chris. Chris hit the nail on the head and we should win that small battle first, get taped delayed shows to air on time! Bonus Points: Not have it at a time where people who work on monday cannot stay up to watch it. Icing on the cake: put them back to 2 hours and I bet alot improves

 

[mick]

last nite caught the lucas oil brainerd show; which admittedly haven't seen
too many this year......at the end of the 1 hour i felt more entertained than
the 3 hour full throttle shows and the one reason i felt stood out above others
was the anchor work of Bob Frey. The man is a story teller; he knows ALL
the facts and his quick wit is unrivaled.
would hate to lose him at the nat. events, but his highly professional approach
to nhra drag racing is IMO presently unmatched; it's a wonder why his caliber
is not front and center on the ESPN Full Throttle broadcasts.

- good story bob did about new england draway on last night's show too.

 

[Rat]

exactly Mike. That Lucas Oil shows are just an hour and you got racing, you got talk, you got interviews in just an hour. Pro gets 3 long dragged out hours that feel like a marathon when the shows over. They need to run the pros in a 2 hour slot. the 3rd hour makes the show awful. The 3rd hour gives them so much "filler" crap that no one needs to see. Even qualifying runs better.

 

[mick]

what you don't get in the 1 hour shows is start-up/burnout/stage/run that
is great to see on longer shows; that 1 hour show last nite though was
REALLY good... and they showed ALL the sportsman finals.
hats off to Dave Reiff, Bob Frey, Forest & Charlotte Lucas and the rest of
the LODRS ESPN team.

 

[Toejam]

There is definitely a severe lack of Bubbas in Indy Car.

You mean American racers?

 

[Toejam]

exactly Mike. That Lucas Oil shows are just an hour and you got racing, you got talk, you got interviews in just an hour. Pro gets 3 long dragged out hours that feel like a marathon when the shows over. They need to run the pros in a 2 hour slot. the 3rd hour makes the show awful. The 3rd hour gives them so much "filler" crap that no one needs to see. Even qualifying runs better.

I bet if they would shorten it to even 2 hours, the ratings would be higher!

 

[Johnny Mopar]

NASCAR gets live coverage of them practicing.
The shows of them practicing start on time, they are never delayed by some other show that runs long.

NHRA cannot get a tape delayed show of a race to start on time.

NHRA has a long way to go to even to get in the long sun setting shadow of NASCAR.

...and that is the difference in the marketability of NASCAR versus NHRA.

I've posted this countless times, but until NHRA race coverage shows have the ability to draw significant audiences, the current coverage is the best we'll ever have. Here's the simple formula for better coverage...

1. Find a way to attract a dependably large audience.

2. Take those large audience levels to corporate America and sell lots of highly valued commercial inventory for ESPN.

3. Enjoy LIVE, prime time coverage on ESPN without pre-empting for softball or other second tier sports.

It really is that simple...

 

[clwill]

1. Find a way to attract a dependably large audience.

There's a chicken/egg problem. Can't get a large audience if the show is not done right and never at the same time. Heck, it's not even on when they SAY it's going to be on.

I think the answer really is Speed. Admit the sport is a niche, and take it to the home of motorsports. I'd much rather be the big fish in the small pond than the tiny bait fish in the big pond. NHRA could probably get the thing shown free on Speed, and get the cherry time slots. Then build the audience from there.

 

[mick]

Chris, i've never bought into the 'change network to SPEED' scenario.
it's been my contention that increased NHRA tv ratings will come from
increased ticket sales at nat. events leading to new fans which will lead
to increased tv ratings.....be content with ESPN
but, numbers don't lie - here's an article about a nationwide race covered
by SPEED in lieu of ESPN scheduling difficulties.
the interesting point is both networks bettered themselves

Rating Speed?s Nationwide race coverage | NASCAR News Now - SceneDaily.com