I'm a fan for life. Not a driver. So here are my thoughts from the grandstands.
- $. The cost to run pro teams pushes major sponsors out of the sport. Ticket prices up. Fan attendance down. I mean Miller Lite and Budweiser leaves? Ford leaves Force? Really? Major sponsors leaving spells major trouble. Really!
- TV. Poor coverage accelerates sponsors to leave and it doesn't appeal to fans. Watching right now Sunday 7:30AM for Sat qualifying. The Gators. Really? 7:30am on a Sun morning? Well 90 minutes and they spend 6 minutes with Alexis in her pit.
- Marketing: NHRA has not figured out how to market this sport and if they did the public would love it. Nothing in motor sports is more exciting than NHRA. Ties back in to the sponsors like Miller, Bud and Ford pulling out.
I know the corp $ thing can be a catch 22. Initially it drives up the costs but when they leave? National appeal tanks. Balance. If Miller, Bud etc was in and the money was balanced they could spread to word and use NHRA in their marketing and drag fans to drag racing.