The only reason the sportsman are there are to pad NHRA's pocket and they need somebody to fill in the down time between the pro's. I love all racing, hell my family bracket races all the time. However, the fuel cars are the reason the fans show up at national events. Take them away, and nobody would be there. Anybody who doesnt believe that, doesnt know our sport very well.
First let me say I race sportsman also.
But for the sake of argument. Lets just say EVERYONE is there for only the fuel cars and there are no sportsman at all.
The pits would be empty except for the fuel cars and 16 -20 pro stock. There would be no midway manufactures don't need to show as they give their stuff to pro teams. Less food trailers as not as many people. The food trailers count on sportsman racers and crew also. On the track there would be large time spans filled with what? and motorcycle jump or a guy that does wheelies. Or that A**hole that shoots T-shirts into the Empty stands. That would get old real soon.
Attendence would be good for a year or two then people would get tired of it.
There would be nothing to do between rounds, no 55 chevy, VW modified, SS/A Hemi Cuda to look at because no sportsman.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is YES the fuel cars fill the stands BUT when they are not running Spectators fill the pits and reminise over the 63 Chevy with the red interior that was similar to the old one they got laid in.
They line up at the food trailer for a Sausage, and they cruise the midway for a look at the new Ford or parts for there street ride or a old Funny car in some Manufactures pit.
So They do need sportsman If not for the on track stuff but to give everyone time to go Pee, Eat, View, Talk. and of course the added income that goes with all that.
Think of it like a Concert, we are the opening act generally because the main act although they would like to think so, Can't cover the show without us.
![Confused :confused: :confused:](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f615.png)