VVMP NOT UP TO NHRA STANDARDS?
The High Sheriffs' spin on the defection of Virginia Motorsports Park
to the rival IHRA was that since VMP management had been so hesitant
to make NHRA-mandated improvements to the facility that the sanctioning
body had decided not to include the track on its 2001 schedule. Yeah,
right.
In fact, NHRA had proposed that VMP and Heartland Park-Topeka swap
dates for the 2001 season. That would have sent the tour to Kansas in
May and to Virginia in October. Track officials reportedly balked at
that suggestion, arguing that it would put the race in direct competition
with Virginia Tech and Virginia football. Apparently, the same NHRA
officials who often don't seem to understand drag racing don't understand
football either, especially Virginia football.
STILL WAITING FOR NHRA 2001 SCHEDULE
The pre-race press conference at Bristol Dragway was to have showcased
the NHRA's 2001 calendar. However, when the NHRA decided to postpone
the release of the new schedule for reasons that seemed obvious to most
(the defection of Virginia Motorsports Park) it forced the similar postponement
of a major announcement by Bristol Dragway officials.
That's because in announcing the 2001 schedule, the NHRA was to have
confirmed that Bristol Dragway would trade its status as host of the
Winston Showdown, drag racing's official All-Star event, for designation
as host site next year to a full-fledged NHRA national event.
Track officials decided it would be best not to announce a sponsor
for their national event BEFORE NHRA announced they would have an event.
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