You’ve got to hand it to the American Drag Racing League. Kenny Nowling, the former fearless leader of the explosive doorslammer series threw caution to the wind and made his vision for a true outlaw-style, heads up doorslammer racing series a reality in a day and age when “run-whatcha-brung” is an ancient terminology that your dad once used. And in just six short years they’ve taken the unique format to unthinkable heights, challenging for drag racing superiority and leaving the brass in Glendora shaking in their collective suits and ties. But like every other sanctioning body that has existed throughout the history of the sport, the ADRL isn’t immune to the time-proven formula that increased spending equals decreased participation.

While no official word has been handed down thus far with four months remaining before the opener in Houston, it was been widely speculated and all but expected that the series will institute minimum weights for one or more of its categories to maintain a strong level of participation moving forward. Because like any smart business, those at the helm know the fans come to see the cars, and if there are no cars, the whole shebang is doomed. While there’s been some public mention of Pro Nitrous receiving a weight rule, it would seem a given that Pro Extreme would be given the same treatment.

There’s a reason that current and former eliminators that once competed on a performance-based, heads up format are no longer, and it simply comes to down to money. While not an apples to apples comparison, the NHRA and IHRA’s Stock, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, and Modified Eliminator were once classes where the fastest machine took home the hardware. However, those that have the desire and the money to win will always do whatever it takes to accomplish that mission, and before you know it, those without the fiscal wherewithal to keep up fall by the wayside. The very same situation has taken place in Top Fuel and Funny over the last couple of decades, as the sanctioning bodies have gradually put the kibosh on extensive testing and expensive aerodynamic enhancements that were driving away their lower-funded peers.

Despite the relatively humble beginnings of the ADRL six years ago, the cost of remaining competitive has seen a sharp upward trend with each passing season that will only continue to snowball. We could all easily point the finger in any direction – some being more obvious than others – at setting the spending spree in motion, but keep in mind that these racers have done nothing wrong. The ADRL created an exciting, wide open affair and those that can afford to do so are simply taking advantage of the situation. The nature of the beast, you could say. But before it gets any further out of control, series officials simply must take a proactive stance and place the proverbial cap on it.

Sure, imposing minimum weights isn’t going to change who runs at the top and who doesn’t. Those with the financial resources to do so will continue to build lightweight race cars and place the ballast where they want it. They’ll still invest more into research and development, spend more on trick-of-the-week engines and drivetrains, and they’ll still test extensively to reign among the elite. But in evening out a key facet of the playing field, those on the opposite end of the spectrum will have reason to believe they can be competitive to some degree on their budgets, thus keeping car counts at or above healthy level that fans have come to expect. This continued growth in participation is what the series needs to remain viable in a highly competitive business.

To date, the rules for all classes with the exception of Extreme Pro Stock have focused only on elements that deal with safety and the power adders that are permitted. This is a far cry from other sanctioning bodies who have restrictions in place on nearly everything but the color of the car. Pro Nitrous is rumored to be receiving not only a weight minimum, but a restriction on engines to the current 5.3″ bore spacing standard to curb costs.

Pro Extreme meanwhile, is a whole different animal with two vastly different combinations occasionally competing alongside one another. And to that end, while no major rule changes are expected in 2011, Extreme 10.5 represents a practically unprecedented debacle with varying combinations that is already leading to a decline in participation. I touched on this in a recent piece here on DRAGZINE, and while myself, like those within the ADRL, have no clear cut answer, something must be done before this class becomes “Pro Extreme Lite” with  all screw-blown cars and disappointing fields.

Minimum weights and other limitations in what has traditionally been an “outlaw” series certainly isn’t what Kenny Nowling and his staff envisioned, but it was only a matter of time before they were left with little choice. And while many of their competitors have waited too long to act, the ADRL should be commended for taking an early and aggressive stance on the matter, showing they are poised for a long and bright future ahead.