Why You’re Wrong About Tony Stewart and the NHRA
When NHRA hyped up what they promised to be one of the ‘biggest announcements’ in their history, many people were let down with the big reveal — but they’re wrong.
The arrival of Tony Stewart in full Top Fuel competition will bring a huge boost to the sport not just in the upper echelons, but all the way down. As a highly accomplished NASCAR driver and team owner, Stewart has extensive experience in various forms of motorsports, but his choosing NHRA is a massive deal, and here’s why.
1. Increased media visibility and fan engagement
Tony Stewart is a well-known and popular figure in motorsports. His involvement in the NHRA would likely attract attention from NASCAR fans and others who follow his career. The crossover of a prominent NASCAR personality into NHRA has already attracted media coverage beyond the usual motorsports outlets. This could bring new eyes to the sport and help introduce drag racing to a broader audience, with the real effect being a boost in attendance and television ratings.
2. Attracting sponsors to drag racing
Stewart's presence in the NHRA could attract new sponsors to the sport. Sponsors may see the opportunity to reach a different audience and engage with fans who may not have previously been exposed to their brand. ‘Smoke’ has no shortage of existing sponsors in his network who may not only be on board with his team, but also support the NHRA in a wider sense. With Stewart committing to the NHRA, other sponsors will no doubt be taking noticed and seeing what could be available in the sport for them.
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3. Showcasing the driving skills of drag racers
Drag racing drivers are often regarded as nothing more than ballast. But Stewart's skills as a versatile driver could showcase the athleticism and talent required in Top Fuel racing. His adaptation to the unique challenges of drag racing could highlight the diversity of skills among motorsports professionals.
4. Inspiration for aspiring drag racers, or those making a switch to the sport
Stewart's move to the NHRA could inspire young drivers and racing enthusiasts to explore different forms of motorsports, given his massive profile. His success in various racing disciplines may encourage others to broaden their horizons and try different types of racing. While climbing the ladder in all motorsports is difficult, drag racing presents many different options for young drivers to create a profile for themselves. And it’s not just young drivers either. Stewart’s presence in drag racing may convince people of all ages to give drag racing a go.
5. Equivalency
NHRA is the proverbial ‘red-headed stepchild’ among motorsports. Despite record crowds and the amazing action the nitro cars provide, the sport finds itself frequently ignored by mainstream media. The involvement of Stewart may be the trigger for media and the general public to realize that NHRA is more than the equal of other motorsport series.
6. But what about me, the sportsman racer?
OK, so the arrival of Tony Stewart in Top Fuel isn’t going to change your day to day racing program. But his profile will 100% result in more people choosing to go drag racing who haven’t thought so much about it in the past. This means bigger fields, which will hopefully convert to bigger payouts even at bracket events. Larger spectator attendances will mean more sponsors — even at the sportsman level. Not every sponsor has the budget for a fuel team, but perhaps the local business in your hometown that was a NASCAR fan might be paying more attention to your Super Comp dragster than usual.
7. He’s a replacement for John Force (even though nobody could replace John Force)
There’s a John Force-sized elephant in the room for the future of the NHRA. When Force retires from driving, it will have an impact on national event attendances. The sport has looked for the next John Force for a long time, but there hasn’t been anyone able to match the personality of the sport’s biggest name. Tony Stewart doesn’t have anywhere close to the drag racing heritage of Force, but his name has a similar effect: it brings people through the gates.
So what do you think? A lot of the benefit of Stewart’s involvement in the sport relies on the trickle-down theory. Will it come to pass? We will just have to wait and see.
Images courtesy NHRA.com.
