MikeMallett

I don't get here much but found this topic very interesting.  I'm from Central New York and have more tracks than I can count running Modifieds within a couple of hours of my house.  On average our tracks draw between 15-20 cars weekly in the Modified division, some more, some less.  I think there are several reasons why Modifieds are doing well, but not great in New York.  

1. Most tracks run similar rules - BB/SB can run together almost anywhere in New York with rules designed to make them even.  The only HUGE difference is usually tires (American Racer/Hoosier)

2.A Purses - I'm not saying New York purses are spectacular by any means but Modifieds are the headline class and get paid as such.  Most places pay between $1200 to $2200 on a weekly basis to win.

2.B More High Dollar Shows - We have three series that pay decent money.  The Super DIRTcar Series pays $6,000 to win minimum, the RoC pays $4,000 and the Short Track Super Series pays minimum $5,000 to win $500 to start.  I think this year I read one race in your area paid $5,000 to win and that was at Tri-City? We have them on a regular basis including several midweek events.  Heck, Utica-Rome had two $10,000 to win races and two $5,000 to win events this season. 

3. Feeder System - Like Crates or Hate them our Sportsman class is top notch because of the 602 Crate Engine program.  They had a race that paid $2,000 to win at Albany-Saratoga last week and got 60 plus cars.  That division is growing.  A few guys may drop down and a few guys may use that as a stepping stone into going BB Modified racing.

Some of the things I noticed in my brief trip out to Western Pa that keep car counts down:

1. Its Either Big Block/Small Block - There really isn't much crossing over, if you are a BB track that is that or a SB (I think this was just mentioned)

2. Tire Rules - Lernerville and Sharon run Hoosiers and I noticed Mercer runs American Racers...that can't help.

3. Purses - You guys are lucky to go to Lernerville or Mercer and see two headline divisions.  The problem is where does the money come to pay those two divisions like they deserve? Even the Sprint Car guys don't even get close to what Central Pa guys get at $3,000 to win, $300 to start.

Just a couple thoughts.