NHRA...WTF are you doing?
/Just when I think that NHRA could not self implode anymore than they already have, today seemed to top it yet again. NHRA let go of numerous people within the organization. I’m not sure if this is a future indicator, but one has to ask themselves, what is NHRA doing and where do they go from here?
I received messages today that numerous people had been released from their positions within the NHRA. Personal from the media and marketing team, including people like Hannah Rickards, Lindsey Hudson, Lewis Bloom, and others that have not publicly addressed their release. You read that right, even Lewis Bloom, who has been with NHRA for decades announced that his run within the organization has come to an end.
The question really needs to be asked though…WTF is the NHRA doing? I understand that revenue is in the tank this season, but are you telling me that they are going to grow and succeed with some of their greatest talents no longer there? The people that poured their blood, sweat, heart, and tears, into our amazing sport? There has also been an overwhelming thought behind closed doors, whether some on my side of the wall will admit it or not, on if the NHRA can continue to be a viable option in the future.
As I have said before, I hate the idea of NHRA going anywhere, but the fact is that they need wholesale changes, and that will never happen with the people that are in charge of the organization at this point. There are so many changes that could, should, and need to be made. They certainly didn’t help themselves or their product this week with the round of dismissals, along with the fact that they decided to alienate a lot of their drivers and fans by openly banning anything politically related when it came to decals and car wraps. Yet if I read it correctly, they certainly didn’t say anything about “social justice” movements being disallowed or for a better term “unwanted”.
We need the NHRA and all that they do for the sport, but until the ones at the top pull their California heads out of their asses, you will continue to see a downturn in the product. To say that I am disappointed in today’s messages that I have received and the news of releases would truly be an understatement. To add to that, I also heard that a multi-time World Champion in the nitro ranks will be losing their primary sponsor. Well no shit, what do you expect when all you do is hold events in Indy, and act like you are doing the world a damn favor by doing that much. The only reason that the NHRA is even doing that is to get their quota of races in to collect sponsor money.
What NHRA fails to also realize is that there are other organizations that can offer a place for cars to race. While I am not saying that other organizations can host nitro cars as NHRA can, it is pretty damn apparent that other organizations can offer great payouts, along with an appreciation for the racers that they say NHRA doesn’t give them. This leads me to believe that NHRA had better get their shit together before they start to see an exodus of drivers.
Some of you may think that I am being a tad harsh, well the reason for that is that I don’t care if NHRA likes what I have to say. There are plenty of other outlets that can stroke NHRA’s ego, but any of you that know me, know that I will say exactly what’s on my mind, and this is it, so take it for what you will.