Veteran Racer Mike Salinas Sounds an Alarm about the Future of the NHRA (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mikebcurve
- Start date
Advertise an NPK race, then advertise a National event in the same market.
I’d venture that the NPK race will have more first time attendees.
That’s what I took from the NPK racer.
Not trying to say I prefer NPK or over NHRA, because I don’t.
I think the NHRA is in a great spot right now. Great competitive racing and the crowd size arguments have dwindled dramatically. But one thing that drag racing is lacking with, is presence.
But they know that the attraction to the younger crowd is lackluster. But as Mike said, they're trying. Hence them going all in on the video game. They also noticed the success that Drive to Survive has brought F1. That got a NHRA reality show in the works.
One thing that drag racing as a whole could do is follow NASCAR's blueprint with social media and YouTube. Specifically Twitter. They have their own community on there. The NHRA page itself does a decent job but the only professional drivers who seems to be consistently engaged are Clay Millican and Ron Capps, who both know how to show off their personality. Antron Brown is right behind Capps.
More YouTube content would be a huge boost. Right now the only thing thats going up on their page is final rounds, explosions, and crashes. When the game drops a lot of eyes could go on them if they partner with YouTubers that specialize in racing games.
As far as promoting sportsman racers as the next stars, I think it's a logical thing to do for those with professional aspirations.
But they know that the attraction to the younger crowd is lackluster. But as Mike said, they're trying. Hence them going all in on the video game. They also noticed the success that Drive to Survive has brought F1. That got a NHRA reality show in the works.
One thing that drag racing as a whole could do is follow NASCAR's blueprint with social media and YouTube. Specifically Twitter. They have their own community on there. The NHRA page itself does a decent job but the only professional drivers who seems to be consistently engaged are Clay Millican and Ron Capps, who both know how to show off their personality. Antron Brown is right behind Capps.
More YouTube content would be a huge boost. Right now the only thing thats going up on their page is final rounds, explosions, and crashes. When the game drops a lot of eyes could go on them if they partner with YouTubers that specialize in racing games.
As far as promoting sportsman racers as the next stars, I think it's a logical thing to do for those with professional aspirations.
Last edited:
Huge
Nitro Member
I can vouch for that. We have been pitted next to each other many times back in my Bode years.
mikebcurve
Nitro Member
I never thought putting this up would seemingly put such negativity toward Mike Salinas.
For the record, I don’t agree with him on everything. I didn’t see it as crapping on the now as much as how he sees it could be way down the road. After Compton went into witness protection I feel they have been much more open to change and made a lot of well thought out decisions. Like them or not.
I felt there was enough backstory and positivity in that he helps the junior dragster program that it was worth posting. Maybe not.
For the record, I don’t agree with him on everything. I didn’t see it as crapping on the now as much as how he sees it could be way down the road. After Compton went into witness protection I feel they have been much more open to change and made a lot of well thought out decisions. Like them or not.
I felt there was enough backstory and positivity in that he helps the junior dragster program that it was worth posting. Maybe not.
Last edited:
Reese
Nitro Member
I went to a divisional race this weekend, nice crowd but Belle Rose divisional is on of the few D4 races I been to that pulls a good fan count. In October that same track had a NPK event. Track operator rented stands to double the capacity. Should have ordered more because the place was packed. You could not get on social media, tv, radio, etc without hearing about the event. A lot of locals didn't know the track was there. Divisional pulled a good crowd with just the track putting it out on social media. Funny car Chaos is coming to Baton Rouge drag strip and it will be sold out because of the constant advertising on radio, Facebook, etc. for the last couple of months.
Also the young fans goes to a NPK event to see the drivers and the cars. They feel the cars has more character the the drivers. Walking around this weekend, I told a friend that they could have paid Kye Kelly to bring the shocker and maybe a 1000 extra fans would have shown up that would have never thought about going to a divisional event.
Also the young fans goes to a NPK event to see the drivers and the cars. They feel the cars has more character the the drivers. Walking around this weekend, I told a friend that they could have paid Kye Kelly to bring the shocker and maybe a 1000 extra fans would have shown up that would have never thought about going to a divisional event.
mick
Nitro Member
then go read susan's wrap up article about the salinas win in phoenix. (on complus)
Scrappers Racing is a genuine one-car team, and Salinas said, “It looks like we reinvented the sport, because now it’s a bunch of single-car teams.
Same drivers –they now just own the teams. It's going to be good for the sport.
“They just need to be careful,” he said of the new team owners (including Antron Brown, Buddy Hull, and Tripp Tatum in Top Fuel and Ron Capps in Funny Car). I think the part for the inner workings of what it takes to do this, they're going to learn some good lessons,
but in 'veteran racer' article it is mentioned that, Don Schumacher’s once-mighty presence on-track has dwindled to one car.
i can't wait for the lessons to begin
ironpony
Nitro Member
IMO it is not the age of the participants it is the money it takes to be involved. Most of the younger drivers are sons of older drivers. All of Forces team are related.
PS between Elite and KB they own every engine out there. Yes Capps and Brown are "new" teams question is how long do they last?
There really is not much new blood as their is family dynasties.
Sponsors are extremely hard to come by. How many business men running businesses making enough disposable profit to run a pro car are interested in racing.
Fact is there are barely enough cars to have full fields. Racers and racing is a unique endeavor our numbers are dwindling.
PS between Elite and KB they own every engine out there. Yes Capps and Brown are "new" teams question is how long do they last?
There really is not much new blood as their is family dynasties.
Sponsors are extremely hard to come by. How many business men running businesses making enough disposable profit to run a pro car are interested in racing.
Fact is there are barely enough cars to have full fields. Racers and racing is a unique endeavor our numbers are dwindling.
Huge
Nitro Member
I can't speak for what other people here feel about Mike, but I personally feel he is one of the nicest guys and one of the smartest businessmen out there. I'm not going off of what I see on tv or what someone told me, I'm going off of what I have personally experienced with him from week to week over the years that I spent at the track around him and talking to him on many different subjects. I also know that he treats his crew very well and he takes so much pride in his racing operation from the toolboxes to the race car haulers. He has invested a lot of time and money in the sport of Nhra drag racing and continues to do so. When the pandemic hit, he kept his crew on the payroll by letting them help him at his company. I can't think of any other team owner out there that has purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for every crewmember on the team just to thank them for helping get that once in a lifetime first win. Mike is one of a kind in my opinion and his daughters are definitely cut from the same cloth.
WITNESS PROTECTION?????
mikebcurve
Nitro Member
After he was replaced did anyone see or hear from him again? I’m not the first that has joked about this.
glofria
Nitro Member
then go read susan's wrap up article about the salinas win in phoenix. (on complus)
Scrappers Racing is a genuine one-car team, and Salinas said, “It looks like we reinvented the sport, because now it’s a bunch of single-car teams.
Same drivers –they now just own the teams. It's going to be good for the sport.
“They just need to be careful,” he said of the new team owners (including Antron Brown, Buddy Hull, and Tripp Tatum in Top Fuel and Ron Capps in Funny Car). I think the part for the inner workings of what it takes to do this, they're going to learn some good lessons,
but in 'veteran racer' article it is mentioned that, Don Schumacher’s once-mighty presence on-track has dwindled to one car.
i can't wait for the lessons to begin
I admire Salinas for what he has accomplished for himself, his family and his stakeholders. He is a true product of the American Dream.
And what I take what he is saying about "...learn good lessons,..." is that some of these other guys (new owners) are no longer just a spoke in the wheel, but rather now the hub. No longer being part of a larger multi-team program that can go down pit row to barrow a part or tool from a teammate and have all accounted under the same umbrella. Now, that part or tool may not be compatible with your program and you'll may have to sign a receipt for it. Business is business first and foremost.
They’ve showcased their drivers and personalities? Maybe I’m missing it
Problem with your average ages is your sample size. When adding only 15 or so numbers and dividing them is not very stable, one off on either end throw off everything.
I truly think the reason NHRA is dwindling has come down to a few things in and not in their control:
Not in control:
The way people now view cars. 20-30 years ago people bought cars and held on to them to make them either nice or faster. 8 year old mustang in need of a fresh look? Let me save for a paint jobs. Got beat by a Camaro leaving a light? Let me get an exhaust and an air kit. Today, it’s well I’ve had car 3 years , time to time to turn her in, or, my car has 600hp, the upcoming model has 750 ill trade it out when time comes. Not many people today work or tinker with cars when there’s a more instant gratification way of thinking.
The location of the races has never been a friend of NHRA. NFL stadiums are held in major cities, NHRA tracks are held in rural cow fields or remote areas.
Things they can control: (and once did)
Combine mainstream pop topics into the races. Remember when WWF had a car and people would come see stone colds car? Or when Jesse James (i know different reputation now Vs then) the flat brim bros came to see him and what the interest was about. Of course the beer wagons brought about the weekend warriors (and beyond) , I’m sure the skoal cars did the same
Imagine having a car that was associated with something a large number of people can associate with? Like when there was a yankee car, or Larry nance who I’m sure brought in some NBA folks. Why not do some cross promotional stuff with fortnite, better call Saul, game of thrones etc . Even if you have to pay them to participate. Just like when you go to a NFL game and they have recreational activities or bands playing in the parking lot, it’s another avenue of attention.
And lastly, to me, and I’m sure many of you, the perception of NHRA is nepotism. What mike says about working hard to get a TF car is right on line when the teacher says you can do anything you put your mind to. Sorry unless your 6’10, you’re not a center in the NBA, or throw 90 (which a fraction of the country can) no MLB in your site . Only ways to get a Tf ride is t have a strong name (force, Bernstein, prock, Kalitta, salinas to name a few) or have an ungodly amount of disposable cash (dejoria, salinas, Brogdon, Torrence to name a few) or hit the lottery. How does any of these facts create any relatability to the average viewer, something you’re looking to obtain in the millions.
It’s become more of an expensive hobby than a viable career. Kinda like the half million dollar country club golf memberships, you’re either lucky and apart of it if you’re not. Kids watch sports because they can see themselves running like there favorites do the the same drills. Kids can’t see themselves changing last names or family lineage that would allow such a dream .
Not in control:
The way people now view cars. 20-30 years ago people bought cars and held on to them to make them either nice or faster. 8 year old mustang in need of a fresh look? Let me save for a paint jobs. Got beat by a Camaro leaving a light? Let me get an exhaust and an air kit. Today, it’s well I’ve had car 3 years , time to time to turn her in, or, my car has 600hp, the upcoming model has 750 ill trade it out when time comes. Not many people today work or tinker with cars when there’s a more instant gratification way of thinking.
The location of the races has never been a friend of NHRA. NFL stadiums are held in major cities, NHRA tracks are held in rural cow fields or remote areas.
Things they can control: (and once did)
Combine mainstream pop topics into the races. Remember when WWF had a car and people would come see stone colds car? Or when Jesse James (i know different reputation now Vs then) the flat brim bros came to see him and what the interest was about. Of course the beer wagons brought about the weekend warriors (and beyond) , I’m sure the skoal cars did the same
Imagine having a car that was associated with something a large number of people can associate with? Like when there was a yankee car, or Larry nance who I’m sure brought in some NBA folks. Why not do some cross promotional stuff with fortnite, better call Saul, game of thrones etc . Even if you have to pay them to participate. Just like when you go to a NFL game and they have recreational activities or bands playing in the parking lot, it’s another avenue of attention.
And lastly, to me, and I’m sure many of you, the perception of NHRA is nepotism. What mike says about working hard to get a TF car is right on line when the teacher says you can do anything you put your mind to. Sorry unless your 6’10, you’re not a center in the NBA, or throw 90 (which a fraction of the country can) no MLB in your site . Only ways to get a Tf ride is t have a strong name (force, Bernstein, prock, Kalitta, salinas to name a few) or have an ungodly amount of disposable cash (dejoria, salinas, Brogdon, Torrence to name a few) or hit the lottery. How does any of these facts create any relatability to the average viewer, something you’re looking to obtain in the millions.
It’s become more of an expensive hobby than a viable career. Kinda like the half million dollar country club golf memberships, you’re either lucky and apart of it if you’re not. Kids watch sports because they can see themselves running like there favorites do the the same drills. Kids can’t see themselves changing last names or family lineage that would allow such a dream .
Jimbo
Nitro Member
I wonder what would happen to the N.H.R.A. if one very wealthy person decided to try and promote his own drag racing events and offering twice has much prize money for the racers, would they give it a try.
Right now, there are really not very many sectioning bodies still around, so they can offer whatever prize money they want to. That could all change in the future!
I think a number of years ago Burton Smith talked about doing something similar when he could not get a NASCAR race and I remember him saying let me offer one million dollars in prize money to the racers and let's see whose race they go to. This never happened because NASCAR gave him another race date.
There are people with deep pockets that could make it work.
Jim Hill
Right now, there are really not very many sectioning bodies still around, so they can offer whatever prize money they want to. That could all change in the future!
I think a number of years ago Burton Smith talked about doing something similar when he could not get a NASCAR race and I remember him saying let me offer one million dollars in prize money to the racers and let's see whose race they go to. This never happened because NASCAR gave him another race date.
There are people with deep pockets that could make it work.
Jim Hill
Nick Name
Nitro Member
There are probably more young people drag racing today, just not with NHRA. Street Outlaws has sparked a huge door slammer culture full of younger people. Major XDA motorcycle events will pull 800+ entries and most are young people. Money is part of it. A 6.5 second motorcycle cost much less than a n6.5 second car.
Young people will continue to be involved, just not with the NHRA programs.
Young people will continue to be involved, just not with the NHRA programs.
Similar threads
