Wondering in the heat of summer

Just Wondering …  What will it take for the NHRA management to grow a set and re-vamp the ESPN2 broadcast of their Full Throttle Series races? In case you missed the 1320 note, the Nielsen ratings company says that the current broadcasts are drawing about 30 percent fewer households and viewers than last year.

Just Wondering …  What the NHRA and their track owner partners don’t understand about the concept of lowering the price of a ticket during an economic recession? Virtually every other major sport has done so yet the NHRA and the track owners (who have a say on ticket pricing too) have yet to come to grips with that reality.

Just Wondering …  Do some of the major sponsors of NHRA teams and the NHRA itself have escape clauses in their contracts relating to a minimum number of households and viewers that the ESPB2 broadcasts have to deliver?

Just Wondering …  What the ratings numbers are for the broadcasts of the Lucas Oil-backed NHRA sportsman races?

Just Wondering …  Why haven’t the ESPN guys offered Bob Frey a job as the lead announcer for the program? In my opinion he would be a great choice for the job. A better question is, would Bob take the job if it were offered?

Just Wondering …  Is there any promoter any more “old school” than George Howard? The “Free Entry” program at the Holly Springs, Mississippi, track he is currently managing is a classic. The only catch is you can race for free but it you want a “buy back” you have to buy it when you come through the gate.

Just Wondering …  Will the IHRA return next season as a one-day and night “Nitro Jam” series? My guess is that is what will happen and IHRA as we have known it will cease to exist.

Just Wondering …  Would you ever have believed for a second that IHRA would hold two national events that had more Top Fuel cars than Pro Mods?

Just Wondering … Did you know that former NHRA president Dallas Gardner, a member of the NHRA Board of Directors, has been paid over $400,000 a year in the past.  According to the NHRA's own income tax returns for 2006 and 2007 he get over $300,000 per year and he is only required to work one hour per week for that pay. Pretty good pay for basically working the equivalent of six eight-hour days!

Just Wondering … How much NHRA pays for the TV show we all try to watch? In 2005 they paid over $9,297,671, in 2006 over $8,217,721, and in 2007 (the last return they have filed) $7,616,116 for TV production. And they can't have a say as to who the lead announcer is or the content of the show?

Just Wondering …  Wouldn’t it be a nice gesture on the NHRA’s part if those of us who pay our yearly membership dues were to get one single day admission ticket good for any race as part of our membership benefits? (Thanks to Darr Hawthorne for this question)