[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A local racer and I were just discussing this in the shop last night. I hardly ever watch NASCAR or drag racing anymore and one of the big reasons is what was just stated above. They all look pretty much the same with a slightly different nose and tail so you know who they represent but otherwise they have become cookie cutter billboards for the sponsors. Gone are the days that kids sit in the stands and root for their Chevy or Ford and dad went to the dealer on Monday to purchase the car he watched race on Sunday. <span style="font-weight: bold">If these cars went back to resembling what the showroom cars looked like I think they would stir up some more spectator and possibly buyer interest.</span> Understand, they would not be as aerodynamic as these cars are today but that is what influenced the manufacturers to do better in the first place and what made to competition so fierce. </div></div>
Boy, I dunno...at the national events anything with a door means &quot;bathroom break&quot; to 99% of the spectators, while the stands will be packed for the nitro T/F and Funny classes (and there is even *less* brand recognition with them).

I think the litmus test may be the ADRL's new &quot;Supercar&quot; class, which features modified versions of the latest factory heavy hitters from the big 3 (ZL1, CobraJet, DragPak)...I've heard mixed thoughts on the spectator turnout thus far, though. </div></div>

Yeah, but I think the majority of those people are just there for the show, so to speak, and aren't real hardcore car people. Most of the car guys I know, including myself, pay almost no attention to NHRA anymore. I think the interest in watching factory performance cars is still there, but has to be marketed correctly. I remember when Mustang racing was at it's peak, some events like the World Ford Challenge would pull 100,000 spectators, just to watch a field comprised of 98% Fox Bodies. Once they started to get away from the grass roots nature, and allowed big block powered, tube framed Pro Stock style cars in, interest waned and now the whole scene is a pale remnant of it's former self. The ADRL deal is neat, but again, dedicated race cars that are essentially meaningless to Joe Blow on the street with 2.8 kids and a mortgage. Maybe a true 5.0 vs. SS vs. SRT8 shootout would get some traction. Or maybe not.

I don't know. I personally believe that the audience who wants to see cars they can buy at any dealership in the country still exist. I just think they've been left behind by all of the current organizations.