Did we make enough noise about where short track racing is going?
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
yes in part --Jaws actually said something intelligent,
Randy Myers said:
Johnny! Did DW write this?
Forum Activity for @johnny-mallonee
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
yes in part --Jaws actually said something intelligent,
Randy Myers said:
Did we make enough noise about where short track racing is going?
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
I wonder if D/W has been paying attention to the noise we been making about NASCAR and the future of racing. here is what he wrote on the subject we been harping on lately
I was listening to a discussion on Sirius Satellite Radio about thestate of short track racing in the country. Having cut my teeth on theshort tracks, especially all over the southeast, I have some thoughts onthe issue.
One of the things that has hurt short track racing is the simple lackof exposure. The local TV or print media has really drifted away fromthe short tracks across our country. The results are normally buried atthe bottom of the sports page, if they are there at all. The problemstems from the fact that a lot of the short track events arent overuntil the papers have already gone to press.
This disconnect between the local track and the media outlets havesurely hurt. There are just so many other options at times that forcethe short track coverage to take a back seat. There are football,basketball and baseball games. There might be a concert at the localarena. So theres no doubt the competition has made it more difficultfor the short tracks.
Look at examples like the track here in Nashville at the Fairgrounds orBirmingham International Raceway. Back then, the tracks were built onthe edge of town. Now with expansion over all the years, the tracks arein town. So the town has grown up around it and a racetrack in themiddle of town doesnt seem to make sense anymore. Now to me, it seemsawfully convenient to have a track that close, but it may not foreverybody within those towns.
Another area where the short tracks struggle is keeping up with theamenities that other sports facilities provide. Thats mainly becausethe track owners are independent operators. They do things out of theirown pocket. They dont get funding from anyone.
As the Green movement continues to expand, that actually might be anopportunity for these tracks to have a chance to revitalize. We areseeing electric cars, ethanol cars, etc. so there might be an outlet totake advantage of the initiatives being pushed by the government and themanufacturers.
Every racetrack has to have something that folks go there for. Greatracing? Sure, but you expect that when you spend your hard earned moneyto buy a ticket. You expect and deserve to be entertained. Thats whyyou are there. We have to figure a way to get that local flair andflavor back. If you are a short track owner, you have to come up withsomething that is unique, attracts people and gives them something totalk about.
Look at Martinsville Speedway what is that track known for? Itsknown as a paperclip track that gives Grandfather clocks to the winner,plus dont forget those red hot dogs. Thats their hook. South BostonSpeedway is known for their baloney burgers. Here in Nashville at theFairgrounds, and now at the bigger track, the race winners trophy is aguitar. I remember back in the day that BIR in Birmingham had the besthot dogs. Like them, every track needs something that the fan identifiesthem with.
You want a place that puts on a great show. Great racing mixed with agood public address announcer. You want fair officiating. Its a funevening to go to your local short track with the family, have dinner anda couple Mountain Dews and watch your neighbors compete against eachother.
Local short track racing is the backbone of our sport. Not only are wenot developing new talent, but were also not developing new fansbecause of the downturn of our local short tracks. Short track racing ischaotic. Thats what makes them fun. You have heat races. You invertthe field. You may have a demolition derby between the heat races andthe feature. You might even have some guy on a motorcycle jump over abunch of school buses. That comes from the promoter. Thats the HumpyWheelers of the world. Thats the other thing a good short track needs a great promoter. Where are the Bob Harmons, the Paul Sawyers and theClay Earles of todays short tracks? Those guys lived and breathedpromoting the next event. We need the next generation of those guys andguys like Humpy Wheeler.
The best promoters come from a racing and public relations background.They understand the sport. They know what excites people and they knowhow to promote that.
There are a lot of reasons the short tracks are in the shape they arein. There used to be some national coverage like Thursday Night Thunderon ESPN and Winter Heat on TNN that simply isnt there anymore.
All of us collectively NASCAR, track promoters, media etc. need toset down as a group and find ways to promote our local tracks. Thatswhere are next superstar drivers need to be groomed, plus thats wherewell grow a new generation of race fans.
I love the short tracks. I always have. Coming from go-cart racing, theshort tracks were the next step for me on my way to the NASCAR Cuplevel. I think collectively we all are also guilty of going for theglamour, speed and danger of the superspeedways today while ignoring theexcitement and thrill of our past, the short tracks. We simply have tohave the short tracks around our country healthy and thriving. Thatsthe future of NASCAR.
Merry Christmas everybody, and Im looking forward to a very Happy New Year.
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:09:31PM
AN INVITATION TO ALL
Stock Car Racing History
the ending of a great year coming but a greater one on the way
AN INVITATION TO ALL
Stock Car Racing History
This message is directed to all who are or have been a part of the Racers Reunion family.
It is our wish that everyone have a great and prosperous holiday and a vary happy New Year.
But lets not forget the true meaning of this holiday and everyone take a moment to thank the "Lord" for what he has led us to be and be joyful for what tomorrow brings. We have the biggest family in racing,we are second to none. We cross waters and into the deepest war zones so be thankful of our Armed Forces and for Jeff Gilder for his insite to bring all of us together.
Additions from all to this is invited
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
“A few good ol’ boys (and not to mention the occasional California prettyboy).
Current NASCAR
you got points mike
Mike Sykes said:
Hopefully this what ever he calls himself has never attended a race. Yes there are some red necks there . But look at the other professional sports they to have their red necks too: who would sit out in 20 degree weather without a shirt to watch football or be so ashamed of their team that they have to paint their face to go to a ball game. How many race fans have run out on the field of play to hit a nascar offical or driver.Why did nascar move the banquet from new york to Vegas?It might be the mentality of assholes like this Sylvester cat named above. But that is only my observation...LOL
“A few good ol’ boys (and not to mention the occasional California prettyboy).
Current NASCAR
This is how we are described by Rob Sylvester in a NBC sports website
Is NASCAR really just a bunch of rednecks going fast and turning left for hours on end?
Look, Ive never been much for NASCAR, mainly because if I wanted to watch teams of rednecks expel gas while going in circles for hours, Id turn on FOX News, said Mr. Sylvester in an article about a renewed interest in putting a NASCAR track in New York City.
Mr. Sylvester even discounted the economic viability of a track in New York. He openly doubted whether race fans would bother attending races there; despite the fact that other tracks in the Northeast like Pocono and New Hampshire have no problems selling tickets.
The article by Mr. Sylvester went on to describe NASCAR drivers as a few good ol boys (and not to mention the occasional California prettyboy). And his idea of a typical race fan who might visit New York to attend the race is a tourist from the Red State region.
What is this characters problem,does he live in a container with no outside input??
If we down in the red zone as he describes us are so unruly and so back woodsey then maybe he needs to go back in that envelope he lives in ,maybe out on that "Long Island" place they call paradise. Not everyone from up north are so not connected but he is way out on a limb here I think---what do you think????
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 03/10/17 02:27:52AM
Unknown Racetrack ?
Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks
wow talk about a trip i took one hunting this track---it is sooooo easy to get sidetracked ,you would see something and there you go off in a new direction, if its west coast i cant find it Bobby is the "goat" to hunt that down
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR RacersReunion TOP 50 CREW CHIEFS
Administrative
all this extra work and its the holidays who made the teacher mad its was either tim or bobby --both them are always talking and squeaking and just plain cuttin up during show time
Do modern day drivers Race with Old school Mentality???
Current NASCAR
Fox has a view of todays drivers vs old school drivers In previous eras of racing, though, much was the same as it is now. There were drivers fans loved and drivers fans reviled. There were drivers with such smooth styles behind the wheel they seemed to sneak up on the competition and others who flat-out ran into and over those in front of them. There were gentleman racers and those who didnt hold to those characteristics quite so well.
With that in mind, we thought wed take a look at which modern-day drivers compare closely to their predecessors.
(1)--Mark Martin and Harry Gant
There are many more similarities between these two than just the ability to win after age 50, though that's a significant comparison. Gant was always viewed as a humble racer who was cautious in accepting his success and generally publicly thankful for it. Martin he, by the way, has won five races since turning 50; Gant won eight has long been known for his graciousness and humbleness even when chasing the title and winning multiple races. They're also both well recognized for their outstanding performances in what is now the Nationwide Series.
(2)--Matt Kenseth and Terry Labonte
Kenseth and Labonte are two of the smoothest racers around, men who'll tend to sneak up on you when you think the top-10 drivers are already set in the field. Each possesses the ability to work with the crew and be in the best position in the final laps of the race. Even-keeled, they generally hold their temper during a dispute. Dont think that makes them simply accept things, though, because each is a fierce competitor. Kenseth has a championship; Labonte has two. And both have a wicked sense of humor, something that shows up at surprising moments.
(3)--Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty
Both Gordon and Petty have eclipsed the competition during their eras, setting records and a pace others have struggled to keep up with. Gordon won four titles in the prime of his career; Petty won seven. Yet each showed the ability to rally past setbacks, to keep his car under him and come out a winner in the race. They shared another trait for much of their careers as well each enjoyed spans where, as long as his car held up, he was certain to either win or finish well in every single race he ran. Each is also a diverse racer, proving to be a threat on any type of track configuration.
(4)--Jimmie Johnson and David Pearson
One thing can be said about both of these drivers: They can win every single time they show up at the track. Thats the key comparison between the two talented men, both of whom hold championships and both of whom have spots waiting in the Hall of Fame. Pearson will be inducted in the class of 2011, and Johnson should go into the Hall the moment he's eligible. Pearson won three championships over the course of four seasons (1966, '68 and '69) and is second on the all-time wins list with 105. Johnson won the past five Cup titles and has 53 Cup victories to his credit to date.
(5)--Kyle Busch and Darrell Waltrip
Both Busch and Waltrip were noted for their expressive comments and unfailing confidence. Fortunately, both backed it up with stellar performances on the track. Aggressive competitors, each had a fierce and intense desire to win and the talent and team to go out and do so. Waltrip won 84 races, tied for third overall, and three Cup championships during his career. Busch has 19 Cup wins and seems certain to be a champion one day. Overall, he has won the Nationwide title and has 86 overall victories in NASCARs three major touring series.
(6)--Kevin Harvick and Bobby Allison
Both Harvick and Allison were talented men who understood both what it takes to make a car go fast and how to manage a race so one can take advantage of that. Neither showed a propensity to back down from a challenge. Allison won a championship and 84 Cup races (85, according to some); Harvick has a pair of Nationwide titles, 14 Cup wins to date and fell just short of winning his first Sprint Cup title in 2010.
(7)--Ryan Newman and Alan Kulwicki
Newman might not be a team owner as Kulwicki was, but he brings the same analytical style to his career. Kulwicki held a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and won the 1992 title. Newman has a degree in vehicle structure engineering from Purdue. Kulwicki earned five Cup wins and amassed 24 poles in his career. Newman has 14 Cup wins and 46 poles.
(8)--Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace
Early in their careers, Busch and Wallace were noted for being outspoken on any issue. Both could be counted on to offer an informed opinion on NASCAR issues of the day usually in fairly colorful fashion. Each was quick to both praise and criticize those racing around them. They also changed teams shortly after winning their championship. Busch won the 2004 Cup title and has quietly racked up 22 Cup wins; Wallace won the 1989 cup and earned 55 victories.
(9)--Tony Stewart and Cale Yarborough
Another pair of drivers who could be fiery when warranted, Stewart and Yarborough were annual championship threats. Yarborough won three consecutive titles (1976-78) and 83 races. Stewart has won two titles and 39 Cup races. A couple of seasons after that third championship, Yarborough decided to go after what he wanted in life, leaving the productive Junior Johnson organization to move to a part-time schedule. Stewart also followed his own dream, leaving Joe Gibbs Racing and his two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli to become co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and compete under his own banner.
(10)--Joey Logano and Bill Rexford
Talk about your young sensations. Logano entered the Cup arena as a heralded 18-year-old, a driver who'd been working around Mark Martin and who had a reputation for winning. He continued that trend in NASCAR, where he became the series youngest race winner when he took the June 2009 victory at New Hampshire at age 19 years, one month and four days. Rexford, meanwhile, won NASCARs second series championship in 1950 at 23. Logano appears to be in it for more of the long haul, though, as Rexford retired from racing at 26.
Now what is your take on this and do you have a list??
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM