The Beauty of Drag Racing

As you may know, I recently graduated from college with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. I chose these majors because, when I entered my freshman year of college, my goal was to become a PR Representative for a drag racing team. Several years have passed since my freshman year, and my love for racing has grown. Not only do I enjoy NHRA drag racing, but I'm also a fan of NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula 1, and I would be more than happy to work within any of these organizations.

Now that I've graduated, I'm often asked: "Which kind of racing do you like better?"

Hmm.

I can honestly say that's a tough one. NASCAR, while I used to not like it, has risen toward the top. I diligently follow the headlines and watch the races every week.

I like IndyCar and Formula 1 because I love all of the road courses, especially when they race in the rain; however, I do not follow these series as closely as I follow NASCAR and NHRA.

While I have broadened my horizons beyond drag racing, I'd have to say that NHRA drag racing is still my number 1.

"Why?" you may ask.

Depending on the category, each match may only last 4 to 7 seconds, but there is something about the simplicity of drag racing that I simply can't ignore.

1. While I referred to drag racing as simple, it's far from it. From the stands or on TV, we may only see the drivers make their pass down the drag strip, but there is so much more to it than that. Have you ever gone down to the pit area and watch the crew members work on the machines? If one small part is broken or isn't in its correct place, much more could happen than not making a good run. For instance, the car may not start when it's in the staging lanes, the car may not go in reverse after the burn out, the engine may blow up, and so on. Overall, it may look easy to make a run down the strip, but there is so much more going on within that machine than you can even think of.



Spencer Massey putting fuel into his dragster.

2. One of my favorite parts of going to an NHRA event is being able to see the drivers. I always hear that NASCAR drivers are accessible, but NHRA drivers knock it out of the park. Your ticket for an NHRA event gets you into the pit area - you don't need to pay extra for it or be in "the know." Often times for NASCAR events, you have to have a hot/cold pass to get close to the cars, but that's not the case for NHRA. If you want to watch the crew members work on the cars, you're more than welcome to do so. Also, as mentioned, it's relatively easy to meet the drivers. They make a point of meeting the fans frequently throughout event weekends. If they aren't out when you walk by, just wait awhile or come back later because you will most likely see them. You can also take to Twitter (if your favorite driver is on there) and ask them when would be best to stop by. Chances are that you will get a reply.
3. I've had the pleasure of frequently talking to low-budget NASCAR drivers, and I always hear the same thing - if you are a low-budget team, your chances of getting a good finish are slim. Well, let me rephrase that: a good finish for a low-budget team is not the same as a good finish for teams like Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing, and the like. For some of the teams with lower budgets, they are ecstatic with an occasional top-20 finish. In drag racing, yes, team budgets are a crucial part; however, it's not the main part. By this, I mean that drag racing is a right time-right place kind of sport. Because you are one-on-one with another driver, anything can happen. Upsets happen frequently. Granted, simply because an upset occurs in the first round, that doesn't mean the driver will go on to win the event. But getting that first round win is a huge confidence booster.
4. Lastly, I mentioned that drag racing is a sport where drivers face each other one-on-one. I love this. It goes back to drag racing being a sport where anything can happen. Say you're seeded in the 16th position and have to face the #1 qualifier in the first round - the odds may not be ever in your favor, but you still have a chance because it's just you and one other driver as opposed to 1 vs. 42 in NASCAR.

Overall, nothing can beat my love for NHRA drag racing. Don't get me wrong - I love other racing series, as well (it's hard to pull me away from the TV when a NASCAR race is on), but NHRA will always be my number 1.