COMPTON MIA

For the major kick-off of the 2008 season NHRA President Tom Compton was conspicuous by his absence at Pomona Raceway. According to NHRA sources, Compton was simply too ill to attend the Winternationals.  Members of the press corps had many questions about Compton’s vision of the “Next Level” of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing without his much-touted backing from the HD Partners sale. 

There still has been no formal communication from Compton as to the future of NHRA Drag Racing, except an official press release stating the end of the sale. There was a rumor around the Pomona track that recent conversations between one of drag racing’s multi-car owners and Compton may havebrought a “no confidence” vote from the influential owner and questioned Tom’s future involvement in the sport.

A repeated topic of discussion at Pomona was what might have happened in the meltdown of the NHRA/HD Partners purchase. There were a couple of rumors going around Pomona’s pits. One of the Agent’s operatives reported that going into the deal with HD partners, Tom Compton’s mandate from the HD Board of Directors was for Compton and his crew to grow the NHRA pro assets by at least 10% per year for the publicly traded company. The old not-for-profit NHRA has in recent times increased the yearly gross closer to 5% during the Compton years. [2/11/2008]

MORE CUTS COMING AT THE NHRA?

Another rumor (repeat rumor!) heard at Pomona, was that NHRA management may have overindulged and overspent financially in building more luxury boxes and the new tower at Gainesville during the  “feeding frenzy” prior to the resounding NO vote by HD Partners stockholders. Now that the HD deal is dead, the cost of building is on the tab of the old NHRA. One insider reports some layoffs may be contemplated over at 2035 Financial Way in Glendora to pare the staff down as the cooling U.S. economy may affect ticket sales for 2008. [2/11/2008]

MAPLE GROVE GETTING UPDATES

Prior to the season opening Test and Tune event on March 22, several improvements will be in place at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA. Brand new LED Daktronics 20-foot scoreboards will feature red LED digits that will be much easier to see in daylight, and can also be viewed from a wider angle.

Bob Brockmeyer from Compulink Timing will soon be out to install fiber optic wiring. Maple Grove will officially be the seventh national event facility to feature fiber optic cables down the entire length of track. Utilizing fiber optics rather than traditional copper wiring safeguards the entire track and all connected components, such as the timing computer and tree, against the devastating damages that lightning strikes can cause. The electronic damage that used to plague Maple Grove's computer after lightening storms will be one less thing to stand in the way of getting the show back on the road. 

If this isn’t enough to dig up in one off-season, Maple Grove is also in the process of replacing the burnout boxes with new concrete.  [2/11/2008]