REASONS
20
REASONS
NHRA + FOX =
A WHOLE LOTTA DRAG RACING ON TELEVISION
No . 13
There is more NHRA on television than ever before , and that ’ s very much a good thing . We ’ ve got live broadcasts on FOX , more live broadcasts on FS1 , seemingly hundreds of reruns throughout the week , and even tape-delayed Pro Mod and Lucas Oil sportsman coverage on FS1 and FS2 . It ’ s a robust amount of racing , something long overdue for the sport .
Television ratings , especially now that the NHRA is featured in live and ideal time slots , and also given better advertising and promotional attention , show the NHRA ranks favorably not only in motorsports , but across a variety of sports .
NHRA coverage regularly outdraws Indy- Car ( minus the Indy 500 ) viewership , and when given a NASCAR lead-in , an impressive amount of the audience sticks around . NHRA broadcasts outdraw nearly everything on FS1 minus NASCAR and college football . It ’ s not surprising for NHRA races to outdraw the UFC , once considered the golden child of the channel , MLS and even MLB regular season games .
Sure , the NHRA – and drag racing in general – is a niche sport , but viewership habits show that niche is pretty darn interested in the sport and those numbers aren ’ t dropping . Networks are starved for live content and NHRA is delivering an entertaining package 24 times a year . That ’ s a strong message about the direction of the sport , so let ’ s hope the coverage , treatment and television contracts reflect that , too . - JOSH HACHAT
No .
OUTLAW RACING STILL FLEXING WITH PRO MOD VS . FUEL ALTERED SHOWDOWN
14
Long known for unpredictable , thrilling performances , Pro Modifieds and Fuel Altereds are two of the most popular categories in drag racing . Put them side-by-side in a noholds-barred battle on Fourth of July weekend in Texas , capped off with a fireworks show and jet cars and you ’ ve got The Pro Mod vs . Fuel Altered Showdown ! This iconic summer event is hosted by promoter Chris Graves and track owner Gene Nicodemus at North Star Dragway in Denton , Texas . An impressive
No .
15 SOLD OUT !
24-car list of cars qualify for this Chicago-style event that has packed the stands to capacity since its debut in 2013 .
Pro Mod and Fuel Altered teams from across the Southwest count down the days in anticipation for this one-of-a-kind outlaw affair . With zero rules on power adders or engine combinations , teams turn the wick up Texas-style . Through the years , some incredible numbers have been recorded , ticking the track record at the quickest eighth-mile facility in the state .
– ROB KING
NHRA NATIONAL EVENTS REACH ‘ STANDING ROOM ONLY ’ STATUS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT
As CompetitionPlus . com reported a little over mid-way through 2018 , one sellout crowd might happen by chance , two may be a coincidence , but three , four , five ? That indicates a trend . All told , the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour has announced eight complete sellouts thus far in 2018 , with several of the series ’ best attended events yet to come .
By comparison , the 2017 NHRA season , which saw a 5 percent increase in attendance over the previous year , had a total of six events that saw a sellout . To be ahead of that mark with eight races left on the docket is a good indicator of increasing fan interest in pro-level drag racing . – WES BUCK
PHOTOS : CHRIS GRAVES , NHRA / NATIONAL DRAGSTER
104 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 136