Drag racing has an identity crisis.

And, as long as those who sanction and promote professional drag races allow the sport to be aimlessly insulted in a sea of misinformed media, the sport's true identity is never going to be known by all.

Two recent high profile incidents where illegal street racing has been labeled as drag racing has been met with no response from those who promote drag racing in this country.

Drag racing has an identity crisis.

And, as long as those who sanction and promote professional drag races allow the sport to be aimlessly insulted in a sea of misinformed media, the sport's true identity is never going to be known by all.

Two recent high profile incidents where illegal street racing has been labeled as drag racing has been met with no response from those who promote drag racing in this country.

When is someone from the various series, especially the National Hot Rod Association [NHRA], going to step forward to set the record straight? Why has it been the drag racing press corps and the drag racing fans who have had to stand up to defend our sport?

Maybe these race series are working hard behind the scenes on a reaction, however when it comes to such an egregious character assassination as our sport has endured, those who make a profit promoting the legal sport ought to step up and spell out the difference publicly, prominently and quickly.

Character assassination should never be dealt with behind closed doors.

Drag racing has always clamored for expansive exposure and fallen short many times. We need to be of the mind-set, setting the record straight publicity can be used positively.   

The day after [or the same day] Justin Bieber’s so-called “drag racing violation” was broadcast on network television, NHRA President Tom Compton should have been on network television with his proverbial broom taking the airwaves and sweeping away the misconceptions of what real drag racing is and how dangerous racing outside of the confines of the drag strip can be.

This could have provided the perfect opportunity for someone at the NHRA to offer details on the diversity of the sport and, as a real value adder, given away a drag racing course through Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School courtesy of the sanctioning body.

CompetitionPlus.com applauds John Bandimere and Bandimere Speedway for stepping up and attacking the misconception head-on.

In the release issued by the track outside of Denver, Colorado, race officials described the difference between right and wrong with the local media.

“Bieber has been arrested for illegal street racing.  His action puts innocent lives in danger at high speeds on open, public streets.

“Drag racing is a sport with participants all over the world at sanctioned tracks that have prepared surfaces, trained staff, and emergency safety crews.

“Drag strips all over the country are thankful nobody was killed in this incident, and hopeful the attention to the dangers of illegal street racing will encourage people to race at the track,” shares John Bandimere, III, General Manager of Bandimere Speedway.  “From April through October, we partner with the Colorado State Patrol to provide ‘Responsible Speed’ events on Wednesday nights, where anyone with a driver’s license and a legal vehicle can competitively race down the same strip that champions John Force, Shawn Langdon, and thousands of others have done safely.

“We understand the ‘need for speed’, and we are all passionate about drag racing.  The Colorado State Patrol and ourselves ask that it is taken to the track.  Our hope is that the reaction from today’s arrest creates more awareness of the risks and dangers on the street, and the community support for places for venues, such as ours.”

Sadly, there wasn’t quote from their sanctioning body – the NHRA.

Someone really dropped the ball here.

However, it’s not too late for the NHRA; take advantage of the high television rankings of the Street Outlaws television to advertise what real drag racing is, and to invite those viewers to a “real” drag race.

Street Outlaws chronicles the happenings of illegal-street racing in Oklahoma City and in the recent television ratings actually exceeded those of the NHRA’s Mello Yello Drag Racing series. This is both impressive and disappointing.

The NHRA proclaims, and rightfully so, to be the leader of the drag racing world. It’s time the NHRA steps up to the plate to defend its brand and showcase the vision Wally Parks shared decades ago.

It’s time for some public service announcements.

It’s time for a leader to set the record straight.

Let the media mention two drivers were injured while taking part in a stock car race on the street, and we’d likely see another sanctioning body spring into action.

Heaven forbid another celebrity participates in an illegal street race and the activity gets labeled as drag racing. We can also hope the response given to the uninformed media is not the chirping of crickets.