U.S. National Comp Schedule

Follow the link to the U.S. Nationals Schedule. What does everyone think about Comp running on Wednesday?

http://www.nhra.net/2023/nhraracer/NE/2023_II1_Event_Schedule.pdf

 

not a fan of it, but it looks like NHRA wants to get it done and out of the way ASAP....

 

Running on Wednesday sucks bad for us.....Looks like we will miss that one with Brooke's school obligations

 

If the Wednesday qualifier at Indy is causing a problem with work, school, marriage, parole etc etc, see Shane Heckels post above and just skip the Wednesday qualifier.

Based on my view of the schedule NHRA is attempting to make the event a more spectator friendly "show". Rodger has the "comp clash" on Friday and yes the comp schedule has to change to have a "race within a race". We'll see how the stands look on Friday and if it worked. I can tell you between the Hemi Challenge and Comp Clash running Friday I won't be at Indy but I won't get any work done as I'll be glued to NHRA TV watching.

NHRA needs spectators to survive and comp needs participants to survive. Rodger is doing a great thing here. For local Div 3 racers to skip the race when they already have a good test session from this weekend is hurting no one more than comp. We need to support NHRA, Rodger and the comp class because we need them more than they need us.

 

NHRA needs spectators to survive, Comp racers need NHRA to race

And the incentive to build a comp car right now is......... These are the good old days. There is going to be less tomorrow than there is today as we age. ENJOY TODAY because you cant take it with you and it may not be here tomorrow!!

And for the record I'm 10 hrs from Indy and not in Division 4. If I was racing for the $ I'd be......... NOT racing lmao!

Again, thanks Rodger Brogdon, I applaud your efforts and what you are doing for comp eliminator right now!

 

“I hope the money they paid to get the schedule done covers the entry fees lost because of people not entering now” - projack

Who is the “they” you are referring to? If its Rodger, he didn’t pay anything for the schedule. The schedule is not for sale. NHRA makes the schedule.

"I guess division 4 guys and nhra don’t think division 3 guys have jobs” - projack

Completely not true - the vast majority of Div 4 racers work - rough estimate - at least 90%

“Especially after they already took days off to race bowling green because that’s our division schedule.” projack

Not relevant to the Comp Cash Clash. No influence on the D3 schedule.

“How would the division 4 guys feel if division 3 came to the Dallas race and put on our own show Friday and made you guys sit?” cervelli7

Absolutely no issue with it at all. We would strongly encourage you to create a $350,000 fund for your division and a $50k race within a race for Comp and bring it to Dallas. Great idea, look forward to it. I would come and race your fund also.

“lf it was at any other race, no one would have a problem. It’s Indy. People come from every division for this race and to think it’s ok to make us sit….it’s wrong.” cervelli7

Is your issue with NHRA or the Comp Cash Clash? Again, NHRA made the schedule. Indy was chosen for exactly that reason, it's where everyone goes. Making it easier to attend for the many different Divisions represented in the Clash.

“Rodger is doing a great thing for division 4….it has not helped ALL of comp.” cervelli7

I guess that depends on how you are looking at it. The whole program is to promote Comp. If individual racers decide whether to compete or not is up to them.

“If the money was spread to all the divisions, it would help all of comp” cervelli7

This sounds like a redistribution of wealth program at best and an attempt at telling someone else what they should do with their own money at the least. Yikes!

“so div 4 gets a hit on Friday track prep while the rest of us don’t” cervelli7

The Comp Cash Clash is made up of racers from many divisions. D2, D3, D4, D6 and D7 racers are in the Clash. I’m planning on being there and will be sitting watching also. I have to eat crow because I didn’t qualify for the Clash

"If you want to have that event, let them get there early and race on Wednesday.” cervelli7

Really? The Comp Cash Clash is to be televised on Fox Sports. I don’t think they get there until Friday.

“The event should be at division 4, or it should be open to everyone if you are taking it out of division 4” cervelli7

It was open to every Comp racer in the country. You could have qualified. The 16 spots are to the top 16 in the Comp Bonus Fund from the first 5 events this year.

“Or let people buy there’s way in…but again…. This only benefits div 4….not all of comp.” cervelli7

The way “in” is by participating and winning. The spots are not for sale.

“and to think we need spectators for comp to survive….you are delusional.” cervelli7

You are literally saying this to a fan! For Comp to survive and thrive it needs every racer, enthusiast, family, friend and FAN! I am a fan of your program and have been for YEARS! That fandom has led to another participant, me.

“We need participants for comp to survive.” cervelli7

Absolutely agree! We are doing everything we can. Please help however you can.

“NHRA needs spectators to survive, Comp racers need NHRA to race” gator mcluskey

That is a great way of looking at it - love it

"No one is going to Indy for money, or the bonus money, or whatever the clash is. Everyone is going for a us nationals Wally, and not getting a fair shot at it isn’t right. Cars getting to run on Friday track while others don’t is wrong.” cervelli7

I am going to Indy for the bonus money. Indy and Dallas National are 1.5 points. I am a sponsor of the fund and have put up $10k. It would be really nice to win $10k from the fund.

”If you win the us nationals and also ran on Friday…. You might as well put an astrick next to your name because no one else is going to think it’s a legit win.” projack

I would counter that anyone that can win 10 rounds in a row, in Comp, is just on another level! That would be unbelievable! Extremely story worthy, like a legend!

 

“and to the point that this is going to help comp. So if you are trying to grow comp…. Seeing the comp clash cars instead of 50 comp cars on Friday is growing comp? So the person buying a Friday ticket to come and watch top fuel is going to get excited about comp from watching the clash cars, rather than seeing 50 comp cars go down the track…..interesting.” projack

Yes, I think watching 16 Comp cars racing for $50k with no PI is much better then watching 50 Comp cars playing the ladder.

“every other race within a race is done through qualifying.” projack

If the Clash was done during qualifying everyone would be complaining more than you guys are complaining now! How would you be able to play the ladder? Why would we put the clash participants at a disadvantage for the race? - not a realistic option - again TV coverage plays into this also - you guys aren’t thinking this through

“The exception would be the Hemi challenge” - projack

I imagine when that program started you guys were complaining about it also

“The general consensus on this at the Indy divisional…..no one asked Div 3 if this was ok.” projack

Wow! All I can say is WOW! NHRA needs to send out a memo that - FROM THIS POINT FORWARD - all decisions relating to the US Nationals must first be approved by the D3 Comp racers. Ego?

“And the pros have to pay to be on Fox….so someone is getting paid for this to happen. And someone got paid to force someone’s hand to make this happen. No one gets a tv deal for nothing.” projack

I imagine Fox is being paid, they are not a charity outfit, as far as I know.

“when this was first presented, we were told it wasn’t going to be allowed in Indy “ - projack

You got bad information. Post your angst at the source, not the Clash.

And if no one had to pay - projack

Answered your own question. Sounds like a liberal idea.

Still wondering who Gator is - cervelli7

I wonder who projack is? Alter ego? Pot stirrer?

Did anyone ask all of the comp racers in the nation if they thought it was a good idea - cervelli7

And? If it was 90% for and 10% against - then what? 90% against 10% for - then? 51-49? You would make a decision based on what parameters?

Hard to believe that the face of comp on tv is not eligible to race in this - cervelli7

I assume you are referring to Bruno? (order some vital brew, I did, its very good and comes from Texas) He was eligible, you all were eligible. You had to participate and win your way into a spot. He chose to go to Phoenix vs Belle Rose. You are down playing how hard the racers fought to get into the position they are in. It is disrespectful. These racers in the clash had to actually qualify at the individual events contested. Full fields at the majority of the events. Very few if any bye runs. Racing on the same track on the same day against each other. They WON their way into the Clash. It was not given to them because of their perceived status.

If you wanted to see the best of the best take your top 16 , and add the top 16 qualified at the race to have a 32 car field - cervelli7

This will take place. The actual race will have all those cars racing each other.

The one good thing about the clash is I get to see Rick Brown. Best looking car in comp,and great guy. lol. - cervelli7

Absolutely agree , although I think my car looks better - we may be going test together this weekend. Please come join us. Its only forecast to be 107 degrees!

 

Some of you are absolutely unbelievable.
Thankfully 99% of the Comp Racers appreciate what we are trying to do to raise awareness to the class. NHRA has gotten behind our efforts and have for the most part, been very accommodating with everything we have proposed and requested. But nevertheless, its still their show. But for some of you to complain about the schedule, to complain about the Clash being run in your division, to complain about not being able to participate (which is untrue) is absolutely shameful. But for some reason they're not complaining about the extra $12,500.00 I put up for an additional Comp Eliminator Prize Money for the class at Indy.

Most of you have no idea how much time, effort and money this has taken from myself, the Hudson family and others. If something isn't done to raise awareness to the class we are all going to be sitting on our asses in a few years wondering what happened to the best class in NHRA Drag Racing. But the people that are complaining are the same ones that keep doing the same things over and over in life and wonder why things aren't getting any better for them. If you dont like a situation, stop bitching about it and do something to change it.

Otherwise, SHUT UP!

 

Plenty of other companies are based in those divisions, why hasn't anyone else stepped up to create their Comp Eliminator Bonus fund? Top Dragster and Top Sportsman gets the backing, why can't Comp? Some people talk, and some make it happen. Rodger made it happen. He laid the foundation and showed how to make it work, but it seems easier for some to fuss than make stuff happen.

I hear the argument on D4 getting more shots at the track but six of those 16 racers make up D2, D3, D6. D7.

 

Its not an attack - its the truth.
You and 2 or 3 others are not a group.
99% of the Comp racers appreciate what we've done for the class.

But to answer one of your questions,
it was decided to have it at Indy so it would have more prestige, more exposure, more buzz. We all know the US Nationals is the biggest race of the year, so having it there was a no brainer.

Let me ask you some questions.
What have you done to help promote the class?
What have you done to get the class additional exposure?
Have you organized any type of program for the Comp racers?
Have you put up any money?
Better yet, Have you done anything to help benefit the class?

Id guess, No you haven't.

And if you don't like the schedule, stay home.

 

Well all i can say is this. Indy has SUCKED for the last 15 years. If my thoughts are correct with how many cars are still in the running for the D4 championship this should be the first year since I believe 2010(barely 64) with a full field.

I get some do not wanna have a day of just sitting but you do realize that other classes have had a day of sitting since I dont know when. Things change, So we start a day earlier? So what. I will still leave Tues morning for my 1100 mile drive out there! How far is everyone elses drive? Im not bitching one way or another cause its Indy! Start the bitch on monday for all I give a shit!

Yes the clash should be at Indy! Its the fkn main stage baby and if you wanna be part of it go race D4.

 

On a related/unrelated/cool down the flames note... who's throwing the party Thursday night? Other than work on some SS/AH cars... Ive got no major responsibilities. That almost never happens! Im sure there are a few Comp trailers set up good for a pit party.

 

Indy used to have the Jeg's Allstars there and most comp cars would sit and watch all day. No one complained that those 8 cars were getting more shots at the track then! Whats the difference?

 

After reading all of this BULLSHIT, I have to say, I understand the reasoning behind having to run on Wednesday, It just affects US in a negative way. We will skip that one and work hard to make up the ground we lost by heading to Bowling Green the week before to get our car dialed in..... I am very proud that we made it into the field and have the opportunity to get to race in such awesome race!

Really hard to understand how anyone that races Competition Eliminator can put such a negative spin on something that helps our class so much.....

 

P.S I would have responded earlier, but I'm busy trying to get better and have no time to look at the internet!

 

SORRY FOLKS!!.. but I'm not seeing the necessity for anyone complaining about the Comp Cash Clash, or even Indy for that matter.. in reviewing the schedule, there is the Clash, and then there is Comp, still on the schedule for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.. I guess that means that everybody races, RIGHT??..

If I'm Rodger Brogdon, and I'm reading this thread, I'm saying to myself that this has now become a ONE AND DONE event, regardless of the outcome or accolades.. Mr Brogdon has gone way over the top for this, and this is what he gets??.. do y'all think you can be ME, with this nonsense??.. COME ON, MAN!!

Some think it's unfair because of race locations, and travel to get in on this race.. there are two choices, in my opinion, you can travel to get in on it, OOOORRR, get someone in your home Division to do the same as Mr Brogdon did.. MAYBE, each Division can place their top 5 to go to Indy for a Cash Clash, if there is a next time..

This is something new, and something good for Comp.. let's not ruin it at this late date..

 

100% agree w/ @Charlie Yannetti. Well said.

 

Thank you Charlie. Well said. How anyone can complain about what Roger has done is beyond me? Thank you Roger for everything you have done!! Making Comp Great Again!!!