The entries in these classes at some of the upcoming NHRA National events seems a little weak.
What's going on?

Nothing, these classes fill up at most events the week before the class is closed

PDRA's strong TD/TS program and payouts is hurting TD/TS participation at NHRA east coast races......

I'm sure that there are several reasons behind it starting with fuel cost along with the increase of other expenses. Looking at the first 6 Nationals we have yet to fill up any of them. Pomona 20TD/20TS, Phoenix 27TD/20TS, Gainsville 17TD/11TS,Vegas 25TS,Houston 28TD/21TS and Charlotte 26TD. I know it has been said that we don't race for the money but given the extremely poor payout for a National Event win i see several racers spending more time going to the big dollar bracket races instead.

Richmond will have 14 out of a 36 quota this weekend in Top Dragster.

Also given the recent trend in the last two years for these classes they tend to fill up until the week prior and then drop rapidly in the last few days.

I dont think it is any one thing causing the downward trend, but when I got into TD in 2018 there was full fields, index was 6.00 and I built my car based on that. since they changed the index to 6.10 in 2019 I have seen a definite downward trend in entry's on both the divisional and national level. D4 being one of the fastest TD divisions in the country has lost a bunch of very fast cars in the past 2 years for whatever reasons. Except for maybe Indy Grade points are worthless anymore in TD, I have 7 but did not get into the Houston national this year until Monday morning the week of the race, just no reason to send NHRA my money that early just to have them hold it for me

Uh PAYOUT…

quote:

Originally posted by WHOMPWHOMP:
Uh PAYOUT…

Yup, that's the big one.

quote:

Originally posted by 442OLDS:
Richmond will have 14 out of a 36 quota this weekend in Top Dragster.

Right in the heart of PDRA country..... JS

As someone who has no clue. What is the PDRA payout vs NHRA?

Meanwhile at the first two PDRA races, one on the east coast and one in the mid-south TD and TS car counts have been over 40 at both races. It's the payout and the fun factor. If you make the top 16 you're racing for $4000 to win, and if you qualify 17-48th you're racing for $3000. If you don't make either field, you drop into the bracket program where it's $2000 to win. Plus it's a Friday and Saturday race, with Sunday a travel/rain day. Just a better deal overall.........

Joe Rubicek is doing pretty well back there…

PDRA is wonderful for those in the east, but that does not help those in the other 75% of the country. And it also may hurt the car counts at NHRA races in the east but again not in the other 75% of the country.

I haven't been to Richmond in over 10 years,but I remember it being a really nice track.
Quota of 55 in Super Comp.Only 35 entries in that this weekend.
I guess it looks like rain.That must have something to do with it.

Steve the 6.10 isn't hurting the car count in D6 one bit.

quote:

Originally posted by T/D6591:
Steve the 6.10 isn't hurting the car count in D6 one bit.

Moe, How many cars ran 6.0x before the change to 6.10 and are those cars to running the D6 races? My first national at the Motorplex in 2018 I qualified with a 6.04x and was #5.
Not saying the 6.10 index is the cause but I believe it has played a part in the loss of some fast cars in D3 and D4

I really wish the other 75% of the country had a choice like the PDRA series......

quote:

Originally posted by BP758:
Joe Rubicek is doing pretty well back there…

Joe does pretty well everywhere...

Not being in the class I can't say for sure. But like others say....the sign up, especially if weather is a factor, can be pretty late and condensed. And with the cost of everything pinching racers, they may be picking and choosing the races they want to participate in. If PDRA is a choice there, that's going to be the choice for many. It's a much much better buy and the time commitment away from work is probably less.