You are partially correct. In addition to the existence of too many tracks in the western part of Pa., there are way too many disparate divisions. Back in the 70's, you had a Claimer division, (today's Strictly Stocks), Semi-Lates (today's 358 LM's), LM's (today's Supers, obviously), Sprints and Modifieds/Coupes. There was a Six-Cylinder division at Mercer, and a Mini-Stock/4-Cylinder class at one time or another at both Mercer and Pittsburgh. That was about it for divisions, off the top of my head. Now we have all of this crap, including Crate everything they can put a Crate motor in, and there isn't enough sponsorship money or fan interest to service all of these classes and tracks. Divisions, mostly support classes, need to be eliminated along with some tracks before we ever see full weekly fields on a consistent basis again.
Look out east. Yes, there are a couple of tracks that run five classes, but most are four or less. Williams Grove runs 410 and 358 Sprints on Fridays, 358 LM's, Super Sportsman Sprints and Street Stocks on Saturdays. In addition to the beautiful 4/10 clay of Susquehanna, they have a small oval called The Outback Track that they use for Kart and Micro racing. In the eastern part of the state, there are fewer "big car" tracks. There are many 1/5 mile and under tracks for Karting, Legends/Mod-Lite, 4-Cylinder and and Micro Sprint shows. In other words, not many support classes that too many drivers make a career of racing in, unlike around here. Consider also that the economy isn't any different out there than it is here, so it can't be used as a valid excuse, in comparison.
From Clinton County Speedway west to the Ohio line, from the W.V./Maryland border to NY in the north, I count 15 dirt tracks a 1/4 mile or larger featuring classes bigger than 4-Cylinders. In other words, no Blanket Hills or Karting tracks. The list does include two tracks, the former Tri-City and DHS which may or may not reopen. The list also does not include, TVR, Allegheny Mountain Speedway, Latrobe, Challenger, TMR or Hesston. No asphalt, either, i.e.; Lake Erie, Motordrome, CNB Bank or Jennerstown. The 15 currently open or about to be (maybe) re-opened: Racing for Heroes Raceway(Formerly Clinton County Raceway), America's Motorsport's Park (formerly Gambler's and Hidden Valley), McKean County Raceway, Bedford Speedway, Roaring Knob, Bradford Speedway, Allegheny Motor Speedway (formerly Tri-City Speedway), Eriez Speedway, Sportsman's Speedway, Hummingbird Speedway, Marion Center Speedway, Lernerville Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, Dog Hollow Speedway and, Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.
It is mind boggling when you look at how many there are. I think two we can safely and sadly say are closed forever, and that is Challenger and Latrobe. But, there are still possibly four in AMS, TVR, TMS and Hesston that would need little attention to reopen. I didn't even add the effort to try and reopen long closed Ebensburg Speedway into the mix. Or, for that matter, Hickory or Windber Stadium. No matter what way you look at it, the eastern half is kicking our asses in overall quality of racing offered, there isn't any question. Look up some races from the Port, or Grandview, the Grove or Big Diamond on YouTube, and you'll see what I mean. Around here, we are happy if there are five or eight cars that have a chance to win a headline division show on a regular night. Out there, there are 15 to 18 cars most nights that can win, and the racing reflects that. More money = better drivers with better equipment, less cautions and better racing. It isn't rocket science.
I'm not as familiar, so I might have missed one or to, but in the eastern half of Pa., I count 8 dirt tracks using the same parameters as I listed in the western half. Those tracks are Port Royal, Susquehanna, Williams Grove, Selinsgrove, Lincoln, Grandview, Penn-Can and Big Diamond. Six of these tracks I know pay major money to their weekly headline class. In fact, I read where this season Big Diamond will pay their 358 Mods $3200 to win, $275 to start for fields of 33 or more cars. They are offering similar incentives for their support classes as well. I've never cared for a pay scale based on car count, but when you are already paying an excellent purse, I think you can get away with it.
There may be three or four 1/4 mile tracks scattered throughout the state that don't race anything more exotic than 4-Cylinder Stocks, so I didn't count those, for example, Hill Valley, Path Valley, Linda's, etc.
So, there you have it. Proof positive that paying more money can and does work as it relates to attracting big fields of cars and fans.
Skull thank you for your facts. Very informative!
Race tracks are just like other race tracks. But they ARE NOT LIKE gas stations, fast food restaurants nor motels. 
