A Drag-Racing Revolution: NHRA's Rise and NASCAR's Fall
The NHRA's recent TV ratings triumph has sent shockwaves through the motorsports world, leaving NASCAR fans scratching their heads. But before we dive into the details, let's acknowledge that this story is more complex than it seems.
The NHRA executives have every right to be proud. Beating NASCAR's audience is an extraordinary feat, one that hasn't been achieved in recent memory. It harkens back to a time when drag racing was popularized beyond its Southern California roots, thanks to pioneers like Chris Economaki and ABC's Wide World of Sports.
The NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, held on October 12th, became a landmark event. With 2.065 million viewers tuning in on FOX, it became the most-watched NHRA broadcast in its 74-year history. The entire event attracted a whopping 3.631 million viewers, a milestone for the sport. And this wasn't a one-off; it was the first time a single NHRA broadcast surpassed the two-million viewer mark.
But here's where it gets controversial... The NHRA's success can partly be attributed to its prime-time slot following an NFL game, which provided a massive lead-in audience. Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, now a media personality, called it a "little lucky break" for the NHRA. He pointed out that the race was "on in prime time," which is a rare occurrence for drag racing.
And this is the part most people miss... Drag-racing fans have long been accustomed to playing second fiddle to stick-and-ball sports when it comes to TV programming. NHRA has often been relegated to less desirable time slots, so this recent success is a welcome change.
So, was the NHRA's victory a fluke, or a sign of changing times? NHRA Top Fuel veteran Doug Foley has some strong opinions. He believes that the fragmentation of NASCAR's TV broadcasts across multiple channels has made it difficult for casual fans to keep up. Foley argues that the NHRA made a smart move by consolidating its broadcast package in the 1990s, ensuring a consistent viewing experience.
"I think instant gratification is what people are looking for," Foley said. "On social media, they can find out before it airs who won the race."
Foley believes that NASCAR's decision to scatter its TV program across multiple channels was a mistake, making it harder for fans to engage with the sport. He suggests that a more centralized approach, like the one adopted by the NHRA, could benefit NASCAR in the long run.
As a team owner, Foley is particularly concerned about the next TV package and its impact on sponsorship opportunities. He believes that the lack of funding and the resulting shortage of cars on the track are directly linked to the difficulty in justifying TV numbers to potential sponsors.
"The numbers have to make sense," Foley emphasized. "Each team needs to have multiple sponsors to make it work."
So, was the NHRA's success a sustainable trend, or just a lucky break? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the drag-racing community is buzzing with excitement, and the sport's future looks brighter than ever.
Written by Susan Wade, a motorsports enthusiast and drag-racing expert with over 30 seasons of experience. Wade has covered the sport for various publications, including the Chicago Tribune and Autoweek, and is a recipient of the prestigious Russ Catlin Award.
