Three summers ago I took my older grandson to Concord Speedway (between Monroe & Concord, NC) for a Saturday night of paved weekly stock car racing. The grandstands of that absolutely beautiful facility were only about 1/3 full that evening.
We never went back. There were way too many divisions with way too few cars. One feature had 5 cars and one had three. I believe they ran about seven different divisions that night. Three Philadelphia lawyers with oversized copies of the track rule book couldn't have figured out what was going on. I am not a novice to the race track, but I never did figure the difference from one division to another. The cars all looked about the same. I'm sure only the mechanics knew the difference. Nobody in the stands had a clue.
Then, there was the laborious process of time trialing all those cars. Lord help us, please.
I'm not certain I've ever been to a nicer looking weekly track where the folks were any more friendly. I am certain I had never been to a weekly track where I was so confused and never understood what was going on.
I do know that in the "glory days" of the 60s-70s when I spent every Friday and Saturday (as well as an occasional Wednesday ) night at weekly tracks (some NASCAR sanctioned, some "Outlaw - some paved, some dirt) named Southside, South Boston, Langley, Old Dominion, Beltsville, Wilson, Wake County, Chantilly, Sanford, Cumberland International, Caraway - to name the ones that come immediately to mind - I don't remember a track ever running more than three divisions. I know for a fact that a track can be successful with two if necessary.
The racers moan and groan about just having to run this series and that series. Believe me, the fans just want to see good racing. Don't confuse them.
Late Model, Limited and a hobby/6cylinder and quit. No more. Never, ever. Gonna have a touring vintage race, then cut back something else.
I have preached over and over and over (and RR members Ray Lamm and Butch Zervakis will back me up) that the best and most organized weekly racing I ever saw anywhere was when Butch's late father, Emanuel Zervakis promoted Richmond's Southside Speedway from the late 60s to mid-70s. It was a time of change. Modifieds were dropped and Late Model Sportsman became the feature division. Limited Sportsman with engine restrictions and older body styles also competed, along with a hobby division.
All three divisions ran each and every Friday night with fields of 19-24 cars each. There were NO TIME TRIALS . Two heats and a feature for every class.
Practice started around 6:00 pm. Racing began at EXACTLY 8:30 p m . Racing Ended by 10:30 pm . GUARANTEE D . There weren't enough seats in the stands to hold the overflow crowds. There was no down time between the action. Cars from one division were lined up and came onto the track from the pits outside turn 4 as the cars from the previous race exited at turn three. TWO SOLID NON-STOP HOURS OF ACTION PACKED RACING .
What's so hard to understand about that? I really don't even want to hear all the standard excuses about why we have to have this division and that division that keeps having these tracks running 5 or more and losing their fan base. You are the people killing weekly racing. Pick three distinct divisions and quit. Eliminate time trials, too. Get organized. Don't have 30 minute gaps between racing to sell hot dogs.
Like so many other of today's tracks, Concord Speedway didn't understand the simple principles. So, comes word now that the track will cease weekly racing. When will they learn? This article was reprinted in today's Charlotte Observer Business Section:
Saturday, Sep. 29, 2012
Speedway will drop weekly stock racing in 2013
No half-mile for stock competition in 2013; its wait-and-see for 2014
By Joe Habina
Sonny Schoffen of Mint Hill (car 75), champion of this year's Street Stock Division at Concord Speedway, battles Todd Bradburry (00) of Concord on the speedway's half-mile track. The track won't host a weekly stock car racing series next season, officials announced recently.
Bobby Measmer Jr. has been attending races at Concord Speedway since 1989, when he was 4 years old. He followed in his fathers footsteps, first competing as a driver at the legendary short track, then becoming a crew chief for other drivers.
Like many who are used to competing on the half-mile tri-oval track, Measmer, a 27-year old Concord resident, is uncertain about his future at Concord Speedway.
Through a press release, track officials announced Sept. 12 the speedways half-mile would not host a weekly stock car racing series in 2013. Instead, the speedway is shifting its focus to its adjacent quarter-mile track, which holds primarily Legends Car, Bandolero, and Davis SRL Series races in the spring and fall.
Sanctioned, weekly racing has been declining for several seasons with no significant improvements on the horizon, the press release stated. However, track management will continue to monitor the economic conditions to determine if there is a viable opportunity to return to a weekly racing program in 2014.
Several messages left at the speedway seeking comment from managing partner David Laton were not returned.
The half-mile track will continue to host special events and touring series and will be available for private testing, driving schools and television commercial production.
The larger track will welcome two more scheduled events this year. The Pebble Pushers Custom Truck and Car Clubs three-day Scr8pFest Car and Truck Show concludes Sept. 30 and the Pro All-Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model race will close the 2012 season Nov. 24.
The quarter-mile tracks schedule will continue through Oct. 7 and resume next spring.
The half-mile tracks car counts and fan attendance have been declining in the past several years. For example, only three drivers competed in all 15 races in this years Late Model Stocks series, the tracks premier division.
Twenty-seven Late Model drivers entered at least one race, but only seven of them competed in at least 10 races. Twenty of them made no more than five races. In 2007, 13 drivers made at least half the Late Model divisions 23 races.
In the Fast and Furious Fours division the most blue-collar of the five divisions that ran on the half-mile track this year only 12 drivers competed in at least one race, but only half of them competed in at least half of the races. In 2007, 40 racers competed in at least one race, but 13 drivers ran at least half of the divisions 18 races.
From a standpoint of being there and growing up there at the track, its a sad day to see it happen, said Measmer. I also understand their outlook. They want to keep the race track there. If the bleeding keeps pouring, there could come a day when they dont have anything there.
But I understand they make pretty decent money on the quarter-mile track and they will add some races there. They may come back in 2014 with a budget to try and start the half-mile track up again.
Measmer said he has raced in four PASS events this season at other tracks and will compete in the PASS event at Concord Speedway in November. One of his favorite tracks, he said Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama experienced similar trouble in the late 2000s and temporarily closed its doors before reopening this year.
On May 25, Concord Speedway issued a news release that it was modifying its 2012 schedule and purse amounts and to quell rumors that it would be closing its doors. The speedway made improvements to the racetrack and the overall facility before the start of the season.
Speedway officials said the quarter-mile track is experiencing a tremendous increase in its car count each night.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/29/3558316/speedway-will-drop-weekly-stock.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:09:31PM
