I agree with Compton that, in several significant ways, the rechristened Full Throttle series offers good value. That includes pit access, manufacturer’s midway, the informative and enthusiastic Bob Frey and Alan Reinhart, and – yes -- most often the racing. Especially in the fascinatingly unpredictable Funny Car class.

I’m not clear how Compton’s vision applies where there is no title patron. There are seven of those, as of this writing, starting with the Feb. 20-22 “Arizona Nationals” at Firebird Raceway. (Longtime sponsor Checker Schuck’s Kragen went up in smoke in the aftermath of the O’Reilly deal.)

Worse, those Unnamed Nationals are in some of those el primo geo gems Compton covets: Phoenix, Chicagoland, Charlotte, Seattle, Las Vegas and Englishtown (which, I’m assuming, Tom considers his link to influencing the New York market.)

In those cases, the load will fall even more squarely on the shoulders of NHRA, its agencies, Coca-Cola’s sports marketing department and – YES! – the promoter. I have no doubt executives at Bruton Smith’s palaces will conjure up some creative ideas to get the folks through the turnstiles. But Firebird, for example, represents another story.

I was as taken-back as a rideless Angelle Sampey to look at Firebird’s website and see listed ticket prices for the January 23-25 National Time Trials range from $18-to-$28 daily (not including advance purchase discounts). Regular parking is another $9, unless you want a “premier” space, which is $15.

To the management of the Gila River Indian Community facility – all together now: Please! Give me a break!

That much for half-track shakedown runs among a likely diminished nitro field with no Pro Stock cars? That’s not fan friendly. That’s indifference to economic reality.

Why not throw open the gates for $10 a head? Let people use that admission for a $5 discount on race tickets? Organize a pro-active publicity tour with local media (that would be a first for a group which has built no relationships with their home journalists)? Set-up a group autograph session each day?

Bottom line: Actually use the test to help fill seats for Nationals weekend.

That’s what it is going to take in this new environment. I hope Tom Compton will find a way to deliver that message, too.