One of the things that the NHRA has been working really hard on this off season is revamping their approach to not only television, but their entire media side. Lots of people freaked out when the new broadcast team for the upcoming FOX broadcasts was announced and they did not see the name of Lewis Bloom on there. Bloom, the longtime “statguy” for NHRA has been a part of the broadcasts forever and fear not, he will still be a fact delivering presence on television. What lots of people had no knowledge of is that Bloom actually got offered and accepted a position in California as an NHRA employee where he’ll be doing a ton more than just the stats on the TV show. Proof positive is this video below, “NHRA History Lesson with Lewis Bloom”. We’re counting on this becoming a series and the first one is about Pro Stock and how is changed in 1982.
’82 was the last time the class had a major rules shuffle before this year and the shuffle in ’82 wasn’t as drastic as the one coming into the 2016 season. Back then, the NHRA ditched weight breaks and gave everyone an even 500ci limit to work with. As you will see, front runners developed rather quickly as they will with the new era of EFI, scoop-free hoods, shorter wheelie bars, and limited RPM that we are entering in a couple months during the Winternationals.
Lewis is our pal, we have spent time in the booth announcing with him, and we’re glad that the NHRA has him on projects like this. We’re excited to see what the next one will be!
Lewis Bloom was a great announcer/stats guy at Englishtown for many years.
Cool you have a pic Frank Iaconio’s Pro Stock. I use to live only a 1/2 hr from his shop in Totowa, NJ!
Very cool. Maybe you could do a piece on running gear? I’m running a Doug Nash 5 speed and would like to know a little more history.
Thanks Lewis really enjoyed that.