NHRA

I have been watching Old NHRA races lately from the 70s, 80s and 90s. I can say one thing about those races and that is them seem better than now. Why do these races seem so much better? Could the NHRA really be that different back then, compared to the 00s and now? Was it more exciting back then? Why did it seem so much better?

            Well the first thing I did was watch more old races and compare them to the current NHRA races. As I was watching the older races I started to notice a few things (I focus on small details a lot). In the 70s there were a lot of rivalries going on, especially in Funny Car, but in all of the classes as well.

            When reading about and watching the old races with the rivalries I always wonder how come we haven’t had a major Rivalry in the NHRA in the past several years. Sure we have had those minor “rivalries” between Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon and the one between John Force and Tony Pedregon (not really sure if this one counts it was more of just a small feud) but this was nothing compared to the old rivalries!

            In the old rivalries there was thrash talk, stage duels, crowd hype and the crowd taking sides of the rivalry. With Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney hating each other (no seriously at one point they both openly hated each other), the sponsors also had better marketing by using the rivalries in there sales causing more hype and excitement. With the Hot Wheels rivalry (use sponsored by Mattel Hot Wheels) between Tom McEwen and Don Prudhome there was not only the regular season races but match races as well.

            The other thing with Drag racing back then, there were Match Races put on by the Track Owners and promoters. The promoters would contact the local radio stations, and you would here Jan Gabriel’s famous “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!”  promotion for the event. During the events the drag racers usually did a best 2 out of 3 elimination. There would also be a few jet powered cars, wheel standers (they would race each other on the rear 2 wheels all the way down the strip).

 A show was put on during the drag races. Even during the burnouts and staging a show was put on, burnouts would be done half way down the track, staging would have dry hops till someone staged first. Overall the way the races were done was just better.

            The Atmosphere of the races and how they presented the races seemed better as well. It seemed like the channels that broadcasted the races took more pride in doing so. The commentators were actually into the races and had personality and excitement when they were commentating. It looked like there was a closer relationship between the drivers and there fans as well. Sure almost all of the drivers still sign autographs but when I watch the old races and read stories the drivers would have conversations with fans, after an event they would stay and sign till everyone got an autograph.

            I have heard many different reasons to why all of these things are gone. I here some people blame it on corporate sponsorships but that can’t be true since in the 70s there has been corporate sponsors in drag racing, I don’t necessarily think its do to corporate sponsors but more of a combination of the NHRA’s Strict rules on mods in different classes, what you can do for mods, also the drivers themselves have gotten lazy and forgot about there fans.

            I think we needs to happen is the corporate sponsors should buy into putting on match races, and create rivalries like they use too, the Sponsors would profit, the Racers would have fun and make money and the fans would get a show! If the NHRA is stubborn to do this, we have the NMCA and the ADRL both seem to be interested in there fans so who knows, what will come of drag racing.