[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by misterp266

The only thing I don’t like about IHRA is all racing will be 1/8 mile. Maple Grove has a huge shut down area.

This is an interesting part of some arguments to me. Because especially for the older crowd "Drag Racing should be 1/4 mile" is a common sentiment. I watch an interview with Don Garlits on how he would "Fix" drag racing, and his whole argument was basically go back to 1/4 mile on all formats, and slow the nitro cars down by pulling fuel.

Conversely, I saw an interview with some NASCAR official, who was stating that they are struggling to attract younger fans.

I bring that up, because I do not think the pool of potentially new fans or participants to drag racing have anywhere near the same attachment to 1/4 mile racing that established older fans do. Most have probably spent far more time watching Street Outlaws and NPK, than they have watching Warren Johnson.

I think Garlits is saying what would satisfy him, not what would attract new people. There is also an argument about not alienating the fans you have, but by and large I think people who like a thing stick around. For every person who said they would never watch the NFL again a few years ago, I would bet very few stuck to their guns. Thats not to say you take your fans for granted, but strategy should lean more towards growth than maintenance.

From a spectator sport perspective, stars mean everything. Some of that is just dumb luck. Two charismatic drivers come along at the same time that have a rivalry. But the great thing about drag racing is compared to other sports, the barrier to actually compete yourself is low.

And FWIW I felt the same way about 1.4 mile. But then around here only 1 of the local tracks is full quarter. So I raced 1/8th some out of convenience. And found I didnt mind it. Less likely to kill me, less extended RPM time on the engine. As I did it more, I felt less and less of a need to travel to Indy for the big track.