2019 NHRA "Silly Season"

-
I used to get excited for the nationals in Indy every year. Haven’t been the last two years and Don’t plan on going back. I’ll be watching the radial racers:)
 
After watching the aweful coverage of the Pomona race just confirms what I suspected all along . NHRA is now NASCAR in a straight line . $$$$$$$$ is all they care about . If you looked at the grandstands during coverage the only time it was full was quarter finals of the fuel classes . Pro Stock is an all Camaro show with prima donna drivers . Factory Stock is being taken over by the pros . Some have 2 or 3 cars . I followed NMCA for a lot of years until they moved everything to the Midwest and poured $$$$$i nto NMRA . X275, Outlaw 632 and the other door classes now have my attention . the D235 class is great . the down side is the livestream coverage can be wonky . Can't wait for Lights Out @ S.G.M.P.

I would encourage you to find a way to get to a big radial race. The track prep is insane but it will blow your mind how fast those guys are running on a radial tire with no wheelie bars. The science in the cars is absolutely insane.
 
I gave up on Pro stock when it turned into the Chevy showdown. Then I gave up on NHRA cause the TV coverage sucks. Went away for Labor day weekend only to come home to watch my DVR. An hour into it they decide to switch channels so I didn't get to see the rest of Indy. It's so sad that money has to rule everything. I'm not sure how much NHRA I'll be watching this season. I'll stick to You Tube and watch videos of Pure Stock and F.A.S.T. racing. As a old school muscle car fan, I love this racing. Heads up pro tree on bias ply tires.
 
News on nhra.com a couple of days ago that Brian Husen and some former JFR crewmembers will be working on the Mike Salinas Top Fuel car in 2019.
No official news yet (that I've seen) on a replacement crew chief for Brittany, but this seems to clear the road for Grubby and the boys.
 
CompetitionPlus.com says a number of sources have indicated the NHRA let official national event starter Mike Gittings go earlier this week.
Gittings, who took over the role in May 2016 following the Mark Lyle's death, was only the fourth national event starter in the history of the sanctioning body, The role will reportedly be filled by starters who operate on a regional and divisional basis.
The big question remains, how will this move affect the consistency of the starting line procedures and most importantly the track preparation at national events.
Competition.com is awaiting an official statement from the NHRA before moving this into the news section.
 
Announcements this morning on both competitionplus.com, nhra.com and others that Courtney Force is walking away from driving immediately but will remain involved in the sport. No mention of how many Funny Cars JFR will be campaigning in 2019 or who the drivers will be.
Another announcement on competitionplus.com about a new multi-year sponsorship contract between Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing for both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
And another announcement on nhra.com says Blake Alexander will be in a Funny Car partnered with Tim Wilkerson.
 
Announcements this morning on both competitionplus.com, nhra.com and others that Courtney Force is walking away from driving immediately but will remain involved in the sport. No mention of how many Funny Cars JFR will be campaigning in 2019 or who the drivers will be.
Another announcement on competitionplus.com about a new multi-year sponsorship contract between Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing for both Top Fuel and Funny Car.
And another announcement on nhra.com says Blake Alexander will be in a Funny Car partnered with Tim Wilkerson.
I just read this. Bummed out about her leaving. I wonder if she's pregnant? That's what happened to Ashley.
 
Announcement on competitionplus.com this morning that Brittany Force will be driving the Advance Auto Parts sponsored Top Fuel car for JFR. This announcement must have been waiting to follow Courtney's announcement from yesterday.
Still no mention of who Brittany's crew chief will be.
 
Announcement on competitionplus.com this morning that Brittany Force will be driving the Advance Auto Parts sponsored Top Fuel car for JFR. This announcement must have been waiting to follow Courtney's announcement from yesterday.
Still no mention of who Brittany's crew chief will be.
That sucks. I was hoping she would stay in top fuel. But I had a feeling last year when she was testing in a funny car.
 
That sucks. I was hoping she would stay in top fuel. But I had a feeling last year when she was testing in a funny car.


She will be staying in Top Fuel, they are just taking Courtney's Sponsorship on the Funny Car and transferring it to the Dragster.
 
Announcements this morning on both competitionplus.com, nhra.com and others that Courtney Force is walking away from driving immediately but will remain involved in the sport.

According to an article in todays Orange County Register newspaper: "According to sources, the decision to retire was made midway through the 2018 season. However, sponsor Advance Auto Parts and its ad agency opted to remain silent until Thursday."
I wonder if this explains what appeared to be a lack of sharpness and consistency in the second half of the 2018 season, especially during the Countdown?
The article goes on to say,
"...many believe she and husband Graham Rahal wanted to spend more time together."
 
Official announcement released from John Force Racing this morning on 2019 drivers and teams:
* Robert Hight in the AAA funny car with Jimmy Prock as crew chief
* John Force in the Peak Coolant funny car with Brian Corradi and Danny Hood as crew chiefs
* Brittany Force in the Advance Auto Parts top fuel car with David Grubnic as crew chief
* Austin Prock will continue his developmental program and will compete later this season in a 3rd funny car
 
...and Kalitta Motorsports announced Global Electronics Technology is back as the sponsor of Shawn Langdon's funny car with the addition of Del Worsham as co-crew chief.
 
-
Back
Top