NHRA and NASCAR: Surprise Proposal, Perhaps Marriage?

It is no coincidence grandiose dragstrips have been built adjacent to some of NASCAR's most popular tracks.

At the basic level one goes in a straight line, the other on an oval track with a few road course excursions.  Both have loud, fast cars primarily sporting Ford, Toyota or a GM product logo on the front.

NHRA has come far from the days of everyday guys hauling cars to dragstrips with station wagons and open trailers.  NHRA is now all about money, sponsors and high dollar pro classes.

Many say NHRA is attempting to imitate NASCAR.  To secure good seating, one must pay for a reserved seat.  Ticket prices continue to escalate.  Some fans resent the new NHRA while others embrace the glitz and glamour along with the nitro fumes.

NASCAR fans are rebelling from high dollar seats forcing track promoters to offer packages of seats, food and fun.

Bruton Smith of Speedway Motorsports Inc. courted NHRA several years ago.  He made overtures indicating the purchase could actually happen.  It did not.  Rumors continued to persist involving a deal with IHRA, NHRA and SMI.

Bruton Smith and SMI built the Taj Mahal of dragstrips, ZMax Raceway, next to it's home track Lowes Motor Speedway.  Why was this track built very similar to the Las Vegas complex only grander?  It has four lanes instead of two, a first in drag racing.

NASCAR drivers often attend national NHRA events when their schedules permit.  John Force and his son-in-law, Robert Hight, were highly visible at Homestead in November for the final races of the NASCAR season. Hight is the Funny Car Champion of NHRA for 2009.  Media tracked them closely.

Owners from both sports are friends, as are drivers.  Racing and non-racing business is intertwined between the two sports.  Sponsors splash their logo on the drag vehicles just as they do on stock cars.

The economy has affected both NHRA and NASCAR with attendance down.

There is strength in unity.  Fans of straight line and oval races like excitement and fast cars.  They want to see drivers with personalities.  A few "in your face encounters" are not necessarily bad.  They want hotly contested racing.

NASCAR racing has evolved to the state of boredom at some tracks.  Rules have dulled the NASCAR experience.  Fortunately the powers controlling racing protocol have listened.  Changes may be coming this season to enhance the fan's enjoyment of races.

NASCAR's COT may be modified and drivers may be permitted to actually race and use their bumpers.  Personalities may be allowed to emerge without being immediately called to the NASCAR trailer to await punishment.

Kyle Busch makes drag racing runs to the starting line each time he has a chance to lead the pack of 42 other cars.  Kurt Busch has been seen in drag cars and on the starting line at NHRA events.  Greg Biffle and other drivers are straight line fans and race cars at dragstrips.

Michael Waltrip and Ron Capps sell parts for NAPA doing comedy routines on television. Joe Gibbs once had a successful NHRA team.  Kenny Bernstein and Raymond Beadle once fielded NASCAR teams.  Don Prudhomme just announced retirement from NHRA racing leaving a vacancy that needs to be filled.

The gray area between NASCAR and NHRA is diminishing.  NHRA may need to appeal more to the NASCAR fan base.  It is on the verge of going big time out of necessity.

It makes sense for a future proposal from NASCAR executives to NHRA corporate powers.  They have much to share and much in common.  The purchase of IHRA may play into this mix as well.

Sponsors know the value of adorning expensive race cars with splashly logos.  NHRA and NASCAR have the most exposure to the motorsports fans.

Some NHRA events are televised after the fact.  One can only hope changes will be made to attract more viewers.

NASCAR has determined it is best to start races at an earlier time in a consistent manner.  They have also discovered night racing to be a fan favorite just as NHRA does with flaming runs after sunset.

Will we ever see Hendrick, Penske, Waltrip or Stewart own a Top Fuel NHRA team?  Will John Force or Don Schumacher become owners in NASCAR?  Personalities such as John Force can bring big bucks and lots of attention to NASCAR.

Will there be a surprise proposal?  Will the marriage of NHRA to NASCAR ever be consummated?   Stay tuned..............!