I think it speaks poorly of the NHRA that one man is able to have such an immense negative impact on any major motorsport. The vast majority of drivers didn't like four-wide drag racing for safety and other reasons and the fans didn't like it either because it was more like a circus than a man (or woman) to man competition. Yet Bruton Smith was able to strong-arm NHRA management into ignoring both groups in order to help him attempt to recover from bad market research and the resulting foolish investment. Since we now know how much influence he has over the lives of the drivers and the wishes of the fans, I think it is only fitting that the organization should be known as the Bruton Smith Racing Association. I'm through watching the BSRA on TV and in person.
The following is from an ESPN website:
Only two weeks after NHRA competitors sent a letter to the NHRA saying they would not race another four-wide event, the NHRA announced Saturday that four-wide drag racing would return next year to the zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.
An agreement was reached Saturday morning at Las Vegas in a meeting between NHRA officials and members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO), the team owners and drivers group which voted against four-wide racing 60-3 on a petition circulated during the inaugural four-wide event last month at zMax.
The Four-Wide Nationals were the first time in NHRA history that four cars raced down the track at the same time.
Some fans loved it and some hated it, but PRO listed four concerns for not doing it again: safety issues, confusion, sponsor identification problems and a circus-like atmosphere. The letter PRO sent to the NHRA also said they were willing to race four-wide in an exhibition or all-star event.
Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. and owner of the zMax Dragway (the first four-wide facility) was angry about the PRO letter and said he expected to race four-wide again next year. He was thrilled when he heard the NHRA's decision Saturday.
The following is from an ESPN website:
Only two weeks after NHRA competitors sent a letter to the NHRA saying they would not race another four-wide event, the NHRA announced Saturday that four-wide drag racing would return next year to the zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.
An agreement was reached Saturday morning at Las Vegas in a meeting between NHRA officials and members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO), the team owners and drivers group which voted against four-wide racing 60-3 on a petition circulated during the inaugural four-wide event last month at zMax.
The Four-Wide Nationals were the first time in NHRA history that four cars raced down the track at the same time.
Some fans loved it and some hated it, but PRO listed four concerns for not doing it again: safety issues, confusion, sponsor identification problems and a circus-like atmosphere. The letter PRO sent to the NHRA also said they were willing to race four-wide in an exhibition or all-star event.
Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. and owner of the zMax Dragway (the first four-wide facility) was angry about the PRO letter and said he expected to race four-wide again next year. He was thrilled when he heard the NHRA's decision Saturday.
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