15 replies to this topic

[Tracy]

Does anyone know if Jennerstown ran last night?  If so do you have any results.

[Walt Wimer]

They did run, but the Late Model main was rained out.  Lonnie Hoffman won the Modified race

[snooky]

Read where 3500 fans showed up.

[PennL8Fan]

Read where 3500 fans showed up.

 

 

And 42 cars for 5 divisions.

[deadpush]

And how many cars did you have at your track on Saturday night?

[Don88]

Good Answer!!!

[Walt Wimer]

Many didn't have ANY cars!!!     IT RAINED!!!    As far as the cars for the paved tracks, it will be a long haul back to rebuild the car counts for pavement racing in this area!!  There are just not very many cars out there!!   The new promoters at Jennerstown and Motordrome face a hard road to build it back up and it will take years to do so.  However, just about every area track has car count problems of some sort, at least in some classes.   AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE..................TOO MANY CLASSES!!!!

 

GOOD RACING TO ALL!!!

 

Walt

[TCM29]

I heard a tremendous amount of free passes were given out for the opener- not a bad idea. I hope they have the money, time and patience to make this a permanent go, but when you only have 9 late models at the beginning of the season in an area where they really don't exist, it really means they have their work cut out for them. I wish them the best, as it was a shame to see it shuttered.

[pabandit]

Jennerstown is hardly the only track dealing with low car counts. I've heard that Asphalt LM havens like Hickory Speedway in N.Carolina have been dealing with numbers in the single digits lately. These guys may have some hard work ahead of them, but 3500 occupied seats is a pretty good start and i wouldn't bet against them!

[snooky]

'Stock Car racing generally is in trouble. As I've stated previously, stock car racing is far, far from its roots. In its hay day fans could identify with the chevelles, fairlanes, satellites etc on the track because the same thing was sitting in their driveway. Cars on the track today in no way shape or form resemble what folks drive. Young people have no interest in rear drive, V-8 cars. The FWD class doesn't cut it and people are spending thousands to win $100. Cost to run a couple nights a week for pit fees, fuel and an occasional tire don't come close to breaking even. Purses are about the same as they were in the 70's. It's not that tracks are making a bundle. Historic racing facilities are closing all to regularly. Look at the old photos. Stands were packed. Car builders took what Detroit produced and improved on it. They were fabricators and innovators. There was interest from the populace.
It's easy to point out the problems. The solutions on the other hand are not.

[dirtstudent2]

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Edited by dirtstudent2, 17 June 2015 - 11:49 AM.

[dirtstudent2]

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Edited by dirtstudent2, 17 June 2015 - 11:50 AM.

[Just Wondering]

Product identification is key to fan interest.

People need to relate to a car or brand. Bow Tie or Oval even if it is and older version.

Most people can't tell who is who or what is what without a score card.

We need to get back to the old days when the Chevy & Ford fans had something to cheer for.

Racing is very different than the old days and that's for sure but when you can put 3000 + fans in the stands at a local track it shows that people still want to see racing.

[Tracy]

Another thing about racing in 2015.  It has ALOT more competition than it did even 20 years ago.  Think of the "things" in competition for the entertainment dollar that didn't exist then.

 

The Internet and everything that goes with it.

Smart phones that seem to hold peoples attention for hours.

Video games now days are a big deal.  Super realistic way better than Pac Man.

120 TV channels

Look at a modern side by side, they are basically a race car that you can take the wife and kids for a ride in.  They are everywhere.  For the price of one you could buy a street stock.

 

There is also alot more competition from within the motorsports community itself.  Things like Rally Cross and Drifting didn't exist 20 years ago.

 

Now there are autocross type events where you can build up a street car and compete with it then drive it home with insurance.  Autocross existed before but it is at a higher level now.

 

Not sure what the answer is.  Some tracks seem to be doing well but they are tracks that cater to family.  Look at Hummingbird regardless of type of car.  The "big time" racers like to poke fun at it but dollar for dollar I think Hummingbird is probably one of the most profitable tracks in the state.  It is full every week and it is very family friendly with low prices on everything.

[Wing_Nut]

Good post Tracy.

[Walt Wimer]

Never been to Hummingbird, but they are getting 20+ steel block LM most every week.  Those are good car counts nowadays, so they must be doing something right!!

 

GOOD RACING!!!

 

Walt