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For the first time at an NHRA race I saw more than a few spectators wearing T-shirts from a “Pinks” event. I think the NHRA’s marketing department is missing a great opportunity by not getting involved with that drag racing phenomenon by putting an NHRA booth with some video machines and discount tickets at one of the events. After all Pinks and the NHRA share a cable network and other interests, including attracting fans and sponsors.

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There is a very real sense of concern among those who work on the NHRA tour that the NHRA series will have a lot fewer full time pro teams for the 2010 season and consequently fewer full time jobs available. Racers who had sponsorships signed and sealed for 2009 when the crap hit the fan last September are saying that getting sponsors to re-up for 2010 is nearly impossible if asking for a 24-race sponsorship. It appears more and more that race teams are looking at 8-10 race sponsorships. The issue is how does a team owner keep a crew on payroll for a year with just an eight or 10 race budget?  I think you will see maybe only ten or twelve teams in each of the pro classes making all of NHRA’s national events in 2010.

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Unless I really am missing something, I think IHRA won’t have a Top Fuel series next year, which means that Top Fuel teams with sponsors tied to an IHRA circuit such as the Lagana family, Bruce Litton, and Terry McMillan, will have to race more NHRA events. And I’m betting that the IHRA races in Canada will see those track operators book in their own eight-car nitro shows with Top Fuel and AA/FC cars.

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The professional auto racing season is just too damn long. Both the NASCAR and the NHRA start their professional season too early in the year and end it too late in the year. The NHRA has longer seasons than professional baseball, football, hockey and basketball. Drag racing’s professional season is actually 11 months long counting pre-season testing. In today’s short attention span world with so many entertainment options it is impossible for most journalists, fans and even racers to maintain a high level of enthusiasm much less finance for that period of time. In 1984 the NHRA series was 11 events on 10 tracks for the pro classes and one for the Sportsman. It began in February and ended in October. I’m not sure 12 is enough races but I am sure 24 national events for the pros and three for the sportsmen are too damn many. There simply isn’t enough money, parts, tracks, and interest to sustain that many races a year in drag racing!

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For the first time in years the U.S, Nationals actually had some real drama and importance to fans and racers that went beyond its 50-plus years of being on the schedule. It was the race that determined the final teams that would enter the “post season” points. Next year that drama will not be a part of the U.S.Nationals as it was moved in the schedule to become just the first race in the “post season.” I don’t think I ever used this word before regarding the NHRA management, but that was a stupid decision regarding what is supposed to be the most important race in drag racing. The fans and racers voted with their wallet about that notion this year but the management just isn’t paying attention.

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Twenty-five years ago in 1984 Dallas Gardner took over from Wally Parks as the president of the NHRA. Back then a 55-gallon drum of 100% nitro was sold to the racers by Angus Chemical Company for $1225. That price was $200 less than they charged in 1983! Think about where the NHRA has gone since the days of Dallas Gardner and $1225 55-gallon drums of 100% nitro. Please, think about it.