NHRA growing while others shrinking

While NASCAR, IndyCar and even F1 are seeing a shrinking of their markets and TV ratings, NHRA is bucking the trend and growing.

“The NHRA has really bucked the motorsports trend in a big way," said Dave Moroknek, president and owner of MainGate Inc., Indiana based manufacturer and seller of licensed products in sports and other sectors. “They’re on a great trajectory."

Year-over-year NHRA merchandise sales are up “a strong double-digit percentage," Moroknek told IBJ, whose company handles merchandise sales for the series. And e-commerce sales are up 25 percent.

NHRA cars scream and fans are drawn to both the speed and, more importantly, the sound. The whimpering sounding V6 turbo motors and electric race cars of today in other series send fans headed to the exits, never to return

Overall attendance at the series’ in 2018 was up 10 percent, according to the NHRA. TV ratings were up 9 percent, with ratings for Sunday elimination broadcasts up 16 percent, according to New York-based Nielsen Media Research. And social media following is up 70 percent, according to the series.

“They’ve put all the pieces in the right place to build a foundation for growth," Moroknek said.

To the right are stats that were released in September ahead of the US Nationals in Indianapolis.