Personally, I don't like it and from the sounds of it, the racers were not happy with the format either. But if this style of racing brings in the fans, I don't think Bruton Smith will give it up easily and I would bet NHRA would back him up. Presently the fans that are attending most local drag races are relatively knowledgeable and understand bracket racing, indexes etc. and are there because they love the sport. But these days, unlike the heyday of the sport in the 60's, 70's and even the 80's there are not enough of those fans to fill the stands and make the owner money. And that's the bottom line. Money.... At a National event the fuel cars will draw the guy off the street who instantly diasappears when the Pro Stocks pull up to run. My bet is that this was an attempt to draw these same fans into the stands to watch more than just the fuel cars and if it worked then there would be a draw every weekend it was open rather than just for national events.
Again, I don't like anymore than most people here because I feel it takes away from the sport and competition and turns it into more of a circus act. But it looks more and more like NHRA is going the way of NASCAR.
I hope I'm wrong......
