4/7/06
Yes, fewer drivers win the events
recent "Blast" by the DRO editor and beloved boss, Jeff Burk, mentioned that fewer drivers are qualifying for national events, even though there are more events. I thought I would statistically and graphically prove this out and talk a little about the what's and why's of this trend.
Theoretically (or just plain common sense) would have that the more national events you have, the more unique drivers would be qualifying at events. Instead, either the same number or a lesser number of unique drivers are qualifying in today's NHRA environment.
In 1987 there were 14 national events. Then the NHRA tour started in Pomona and ended in Pomona. We still start and end in Pomona, but now we a going to all kinds of places in between. We've added two stops in Vegas; we also go to Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, Bristol, Richmond (we're back!), Memphis, Sonoma, Seattle and Topeka. So, we have added 11 and subtracted 2 (Baton Rouge and Montreal) to make 23 events.
First, a quick personal view...when I go to a national event, I'm like most of you hard core fans, I go Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Thursday occasionally. If I had to pick only one day, I would go on Friday. Why? I may be in the minority, but instead of eliminations, I enjoy seeing more cars and usually better elapsed times and mph's on Friday. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy elims, but if I only had enough money or time for one day, I'd go Friday. (Besides, it's usually cheaper and the tracks have discount coupons on Friday!). Anyway, what's the point? The point is on elimination day, especially in Funny Car and Pro Stock you will see the same drivers from one event to the next. I enjoy seeing the variety of cars you see on Friday, that you won't see on Sunday.
In Top Fuel in 1987 there were 35 unique qualifiers for 14 events...in 2005 there were 34 qualifiers for 23 events, for a ratio of 2.5 drivers per event per year in 1987 down to a ratio of 1.48 drivers per event per year in 2005.
In Funny Car in 1987 there were 38 unique qualifiers for 14 events...in 2005 there were 24. For a ratio of 2.71 drivers per event per year in 1987 down to a ratio of 1.04 drivers per event per year in 2005. A low of .96 was reached in 2001.
In Pro Stock in 1987 there were 31 unique qualifiers for 14 events...in 2005 there were 25 for a ratio of 2.71 drivers per event per year in 1987 down to a ratio of 1.04 drivers per event per year in 2005.
If we maintained the same ratios today, we would have fifty or more unique qualifiers for a given year in all the Pro classes. However, that is not what happened. Here are my reasons why and a commentary whether this statistic even matters. View the following chart titled "Ratio of Unique Qualified Drivers 1987 - 2005" to see graphically the downward trend.