A statement by Bob Tasca III, whose family is a staple in Ford’s motorsports history, piqued my interest.

Tasca’s comment was on Ford’s announcement they would pull out of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the conclusion of 2014, leaving no presence on the big stage of professional drag racing.

“For Ford to make a decision to pull out of professional drag racing, I truly believe they have underestimated the passion and loyalty of the NHRA fans,” pointed out Tasca.

Ford did point out Friday it was not leaving drag racing altogether but would focus its efforts on supporting the Cobra Jet program firmly entrenched in sportsman competition. 

A statement by Bob Tasca III, whose family is a staple in Ford’s motorsports history, piqued my interest.

Tasca’s comment was on Ford’s announcement they would pull out of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the conclusion of 2014, leaving no presence on the big stage of professional drag racing.

“For Ford to make a decision to pull out of professional drag racing, I truly believe they have underestimated the passion and loyalty of the NHRA fans,” pointed out Tasca.

Ford did point out Friday it was not leaving drag racing altogether but would focus its efforts on supporting the Cobra Jet program firmly entrenched in sportsman competition. 

If you ask me, this deals a big blow to NHRA’s viability as a marketing platform for future companies looking to get involved. Sponsors come and go, but manufacturers, are expected to stay around. After all, drag racing doesn’t race cheeseburgers – they race cars.

We can look at Ford’s decision one of two ways, or maybe both. Ford doesn’t see going after the drag racing attendee as a viable marketing avenue and or, NHRA hasn’t performed up to the task of providing the value which would look good on the bottom line of an Excel spreadsheet.

These decisions have a way of backfiring. Sometimes what looks good on paper doesn’t always equate to what is really going on in the midst of the battle.

Then again, when you’re marketing in an arena with less than acceptable television ratings, sparse crowds at the majority of major racing and confidence in the pits of NHRA management at an all-time low, what’s Ford to do?

Despite the negatives, look at the premiere Ford race teams.

John Force and the Force family are drag racing icons, with the appearance lines sometimes seven rows deep for an autograph or just a chance for a moment with the 15-time champion. Winning builds reputations and John Force Racing, in scoring 42-percent of the NHRA Funny Car victories for the last 17 years, is a lot of history to walk away from.

For the number crunchers, the 42-percent represents 156 Mustang victories in 372 races.

How did Funny Car market the Cobra Jet?

The legend of the Tasca Ford was enough to help Ford re-launch a special program which helped build a key automotive sales phrase, “Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday.” There’s a lot of good will and history which could go away in 2015.

Tim Wilkerson - ever hear of the Wilk Warriors? They are all potential Ford customers with a dying loyalty to their driver.

Larry Morgan, who doesn’t receive a single marketing dollar from Ford, told me, he’s continually inundated with fans clamoring for more factory support from the manufacturer to help the Ford teams win more.

“They’re always telling me, ‘don’t they [Ford executives] know we buy cars too?”

Ford, please reconsider your decision, you have really loyal customers who have purchased cars because of your involvement.

If a message board thread is an indication of passion from those who stand to alienate, consider on the CompetitionPlus.com Forum, a thread which has remained active for seven years, 5072 posts and 620,709 views. The title? What About A COMPETITIVE Ford in Pro Stock?

Change is part of the chemistry of making a successful company remain successful.

Change can also have an adverse effect.