VOLUME XXI,  NUMBER 10 - OCTOBER,  2019

Burk’s Mini Blast

Are NHRA Nielsen numbers better than you think? On a good day the NHRA race broadcast attract 300-500,000 viewers and sometimes those numbers get close to the one-million range according to the fine folks at Nielsen Ratings.

 

According to Google there are about 15 million motorsports fans in the U.S.  For the sake of argument let’s say 8 million of those fans are NASCAR fans, another four million fans like drag racing (NHRA, Outlaw, No Prep, et al.) and the rest is split up between fan of IndyCar, tractor pulls, drifting and lawn mower racing)

 

So, I would posit that while compared to almost any national stick-and-ball sport NHRA drag racing gets horrid Nielsen ratings, considering the possible number of fans the sport might have to draw from, the NHRA’s Nielsen ratings and spectator attendance at races are not that bad. – Jeff Burk    [10/21/19]

Champions crowned at Summit SuperSeries World Finals

Hundreds of International Hot Rod Association Summit SuperSeries track champions, along with Summit Team Finals divisional champions from around the United States and Canada gathered at Memphis International Raceway Oct. 18-19 for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.

 

With nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks represented, drivers traveled from the United States and Canada coming from nearly 4,000-miles away in Palmer, Alaska.

 

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries champions were crowned Saturday in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior Dragster. The $200,000 program is the championship competition for IHRA member Sportsman racers and more than 8,000 racers compete in the program annually. Racers ran to the eighth mile.

Top (Box): Keith Cleveland, Cheektowaya, NY (Lancaster Dragway), 5.661 secs. at 119.80 mph (.010 RT) - defeated Paul Peterson, 4.876 at 140.14 mph (-.012 RT)

Modified (No Box): Dustin Avondet, Pierce City, MO (No-Kan Dragway), 6.144 at 110.64 mph (.040 RT) - defeated Chris Roth, Essexville, MI, 6.057 at 113.08 mph (.071 RT)

Sportsman: Dustin Carroll, Olar, S.C., 7.689 at 87.13 mph (.042 RT)- defeated Larry Doty, Margate, Fla., 9.264 at 72.85 mph (.030 RT).

Junior Dragster: Kaden Harrill, Madisonville, TN (Knoxville Dragstrip), 8.389 at 66.65 mph (.063 RT) - defeated Taylor Hansen, Anthon, IA, who had a .052 RT but broke after taking the green light.  [10/21/19]

St. Louis to hold ‘Last Call Bracket Challenge’

Jason Phillips, Granite City, IL, was the Super Pro (in a dragster) and the Sportsman (in a 2002 Mustang) winner on Oct. 12. Other winners were Tim Schaffer, Marland Heights, MO (Pro), Mark Abrahms, Bethalto, IL (Pro Motorcycle) and Lilly Kinne, Canton, IL (Jr. Dragster Lightning).  (John Bisci photo)

 

World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis, will present the Last Call Bracket Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 26. The 2019 season’s bracket racing finale will pay thousands of dollars in purse money along with 4-foot tall trophies to the winners. And keeping with the cooling fall weather, each entrant will get a free bowl of chili and a Coca-Cola.  [10/21/19]

Weatherford breaks 3.50 barrier for PDRA Pro Boost record

Moroso Pro Boost newcomer Randy Weatherford broke the 3.50-second barrier and set a new class record on his way to the No. 1 qualifying spot Friday night at the Professional Drag Racers Association Brian Olson Memorial World Finals presented by Pro Line Racing and $hameless Racing. Weatherford’s ProCharger-boosted WS Construction ’19 Camaro tuned by Steve Petty recorded a 3.597-second blast at 209.14 mph.

 

We’ll have full results in tomorrow’s DRO.  (Tara Bowker photo) [10/21/19]

First Miss Hurst Golden Shifter ‘Perky Patty’ Flannery passes on

At the 1965 Hot Rod Nationals in Riverside, Calif.

 

Patricia E. Flannery Stephens, 80, passed away October 17, 2019, in South Vienna, Ohio. Pat was the original Miss Hurst Golden Shifter in 1965 before Linda Vaughn took over in 1966.

 

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com  [10/21/19]

New Product of the Day

 

New Pro 600 CDI System from MSD

The MSD PRO 600 CDI is an innovative eight-channel capacitive-discharge ignition developed specifically for high-horsepower applications with extreme cylinder pressure and coil-near-plug engine-management systems. Compatible with Holley EFI, GM LS platforms, and virtually any EFI setup (both 5v and 12v drivers), it's perfect for the high cylinder pressure developed by supercharged, turbocharged, and nitrous engines. Rock-solid for everything from Pro Street cruising to all-out Pro Mod competition, the PRO 600 CDI provides unmatched spark energy and features an easily programmable power setting that allows you to switch between a user-adjustable 250-to-400 millijoule output for everyday driving. This powerful, versatile ignition works with almost any coil-per-plug engine up to eight cylinders – including four- and six-cylinder applications – and can even convert a distributor-type ignition into a coil-near-plug system. High-efficiency AC power delivery means less voltage draw from your battery or charging system, and it has diagnostic LEDs to troubleshoot potential issues with any individual coil, built-in protection for accidental reverse battery connection, and over-temperature protection. The PRO 600 CDI is a direct plugin to Holley EFI systems, features a plugin interface for the MSD Power Grid and Davis profiler, and comes complete with all the necessary wiring harnesses for a hassle-free installation.  [10/21/19]

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