THINGS I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN
hen using that phrase, the next part usually goes, ",,, but probably never will". Used in connection with the major leagues of drag racing, probability becomes a virtual certainty. Be that as it may, pardon me while I muse on developments, yet to be realized, that I think could be beneficial to all aspects of professional drag racing. Well, just about all aspects anyway!
Let's start off with a big one. I would love to see fewer races on the NHRA national event schedule. This idea is already dead, before I can even get it onto the electronic page you see before you. Expenses to the professional teams be damned, expansion of the schedule is already underway. It's just a matter of how many and what locales the events will be held in. But reduction of the schedule is the only way to cut expenses for the touring pros that make NHRA national events worth attending. Maybe if some of these new events, once they become a part of the schedule, draw seven or eight nitro cars, maybe someone in a position of authority will realize there is not a never-ending supply of money out there. Before NHRA expands the schedule, maybe they could cull some of the weaker facilities from the current schedule. I won't name any names -I don't
ADVERTISEMENT
And now for a really radical idea. I say it's time to stop televising all the races on the NHRA tour! I know, there are those of you who will be unable to soldier on if you are deprived of even one hour of NHRA programming, Paul Page's presence notwithstanding. If that's the case, you need therapy, not more drag racing. I'm thinking, if there were only, say, twelve chances for fans to tune in to The Circus, maybe a few more might do so, Nielsen Ratings-speaking. As it now stands, if ya miss a show, no worries. There's another one coming soon. Besides, if one can't watch them all, maybe one might actually go tot the track, in person! What a concept! Hey, I'm just doing my part to help poor old NHRA fill up all those holes in the grandstands.
Another plus to the reduced TV presence might be a change in who would be racing at a given event. Maybe, just maybe the "Super Teams" might be less inclined to race at non-televised events, creating an opportunity for less well heeled racers. This scenario might actually work out, in light of the emphasis on the new Chase that will determine the NHRA Pro championships. Place a few of these "blue plate specials" in the right spots on the schedule, and the Chase To The Chase might get really unpredictable.
