Your Two Cents: What Factors Make You Attend/Not Attend A Drag Race?

Ever since the economy hit the skids in 2008, the hottest topic in drag racing hasn’t been drag racing itself, but the ways that the faltered economy has taken a toll on every aspect of our sport. From fewer fans in the stands to decreased participation at the back gate, it’s been a very real issue and one that’s a daily topic on web forums, in the media, and (we hope) in the boardrooms of drag racing organizations. All of this chatter leads to many great ideas to give our sport a boost — although some are more realistic than others. But in the midst of all of this, what’s clear is that no one is quite sure what in specific is to blame for the downturn. Is it the economy itself, or is it factors related to it, such as the cost of fuel, the cost of tickets and food? Or is it more of a growing disinterest in drag racing? No doubt the core fan of the sport is an aging demographic, so are the younger fans just not finding the product that series and tracks are putting out worth their entertainment dollar? What’s keeping people away is the million dollar question that no one has quite been able to figure out.

Today, drag racing has more competition for the almighty disposable income/entertainment dollar than ever before, with major stick-and-ball sports seemingly gobbling up what little extra money Americans do have. Many criticize the NHRA, for example, of over-charging for a ticket and pricing families right out of the equation, but when you consider the price of an NFL, NBA, or MLB ticket — usually anywhere from $50-150 (or more) depending on the game and where you sit, and the $10 beers and grossly overpriced food — for a three-hour show — a day at the races would seem to be a value.

So our question to you, our readers, is what draws you to attend a drag race and what factors turn you away? If you’re here and you’re reading this, you obviously have an interest in the sport to some degree, but what determines whether you haul yourself, your family, or your buddies to the race track? If it were made more affordable across the board, would you be more inclined to attend, or do you feel that drag racing today is too sterile, too mundane, and your money is better spent elsewhere on, say, a ballgame or a movie? Do you place a monetary value on can’t-miss races like the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the Yellow Bullet Nationals, and similar events?

Write us a message or leave a comment and tell us your thoughts, or you own personal story about why you go to drag races or why you don’t. We want to hear your two cents!