Monte,
While you are right that the IHRA format is more of a circus, it draws fans and "puts peoples butts in the stands. And they pay more for less rounds and cost of entry in T/D and all of the sportsman classes with almost the same contigency program.
And your point about the NHRA doesn't hurt sportsman racers, how about all of the entry fees and certifications that seen to go up every time they feel the need to line their pockets? Have you ever been to main office in Glendora, CA? I have and and it is easy to see why this top heavy "non profit" organization is so inefficiant.
And I'm not even going to argue the cost issue with the T/F ranks. I know several teams as well, and most would like the 1000ft ruke to stand, essecially Connie K.
Bottom line is....NHRA has a major disconnect with the sportsman racers and the current attitude towards us sucks!