Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the NHRA will start a month later than the usual February start on the West coast. For the first time in NHRA’s 70-year history, the Camping World Drag racing series will kick off the 2021 season in sunny Gainesville, Florida, with the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. In a typical season, the Gatornationals would be the third race and also the East coast opener.
Just as in 2020, an open mind and the willingness to be flexible will need to be at the forefront as the Covid 19 Pandemic could still present changes to scheduled events. With that in mind, the 2021 season is setting up to be an exciting year. Below are three storylines to watch as we head into the 2021 NHRA drag racing season.
1). Who, What, When, with John Force Racing
Mum is the word when it comes to JFR Racing and whether they will be racing in 2021. Due to the financial uncertainty because of the Pandemic, the team decided to opt-out of the 2020 season. As the 2021 season approaches, many fans and media are wondering and hoping that the John Force Racing team will return.
Most believe that they will return this season but to what capacity. How many cars will the team have, and who will be the drivers? Will they run a full season or an abbreviated one? With so many questions that need answers. We will all have to wait for their official announcement.
With all that said, the most significant interest will be how they will look in 2021; if anyone knows how to rebound after adversity, it is John Force. It will be something to watch and see how this team comes together. After setting out a year, crews and their drivers will need to get back into a rhythm and find that cohesiveness they once had before the Pandemic. Likely there will be new members as some may have had to find other employment.
2). More Independent Race Teams in the Pro Ranks
With the economic hardships that many face, the NHRA last season went to a two-round qualifying session that will continue similarly in 2021. For seventeen of the Camping World Drag Racing Series national events, professional teams will run three qualifying sessions over two days(Friday and Saturday). At five of the events, the pro teams will have one day of qualifying that features two sessions. All final eliminations will continue to be on Sunday.
What’s most intriguing about this format is how it affects teams economically. Fewer sessions reduce the race team’s overall cost for the weekend due to less fuel and parts usage. That could open the door for groups with a smaller budget to make a few more races a year. It also encourages others who may have wanted to run but felt the cost was too high for their budget to make a few appearances.
The noticeable and most enticing part of this is the NHRA restoring the purses to be within 15% of what they were pre-pandemic, gives individuals an incentive to come out and try to win some cash. There was plenty of evidence in 2020 where there were a few upset specials served up. Having this element truly adds to the excitement and entertainment of NHRA Drag racing.
3). The new four-valve Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle engine
The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is one of the NHRA’s most competitive. The four-valve Suzuki Motorcycle engine has been a long time talking point and became a big conversation piece in 2020. Now the wait and talk are over as the new engine will debut at the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals.
The racers expected to use the new engine include world champions Jerry Savoie and Angelle Sampey. Both Cory Reed and Joey Gladstone will also be running the new head design and a pair of new Suzuki entries built and maintained by the Vance & Hines team.
The new four-valve head modernizes the technology in Suzuki drag racing motors. It replaces the two-valve design, which was introduced in 1998. It also retains the 1,850 cubic centimeters engine displacement. The new four-valve engine combination was approved for the competition last season. It made its first track appearance in Indianapolis thanks to Suzuki racer Chris Bostick, who raced a version of the new head produced by Monster Race Products.
Gainesville Raceway has proven to be a fast track for Pro Stock Motorcycles. We have seen 200 mph runs along with record elapse times. It will be interesting to see what type of numbers these engines put up in the season opener.
Could we see records fall once again?
Time will tell, but either way, this class will most definitely be most see in 2021.