*Turn 2 Blog is a regular feature on InsideDirtRacing.com. Here, site operators Michael Moats and Richard Allen take turns offering their thoughts on the dirt racing topics of the day from east Tennessee and beyond.
Richard: These are certainly becoming interesting times in this area regarding certain classes of cars used to race in the weekly divisions at our various tracks. Unfortunately, car counts in the Limited Late Model ranks have continued the trend of dropping off during the early parts of the 2016 season. At the same time, car counts in the Sportsman class have been solid, if not higher throughout much of the year at several venues.
The Limited Late Model class, which for several area tracks has served as the featured division for weekly shows, has fallen so low that single digit feature races have not been uncommon. As a matter of fact, Tazewell Speedway recently announced that it would suspend racing in that class at least through June 3rd. Other tracks may not have taken such drastic action but have experienced similar drop offs in the ranks of the steelhead cars.
So what has caused these diminished numbers among the Limited Late Models?
As I see it, the expense of running one of these machines has grown to the point that racing in this class has almost become as costly as racing in the Super Late Model division, but with much lower purses. Further, tracks sometimes employ rules that vary between facilities. That, in turn, makes it difficult for racers to move from one track to another when more money is offered at another location. The increased expense and differing rules have each contributed to lowered numbers.
What can be done to revive this class, if anything?
Michael: I think two things can be done to address this situation. One is to do something about the costs of the engines. I had one driver tell me over the weekend that the rules have been opened up quite a bit because tracks don’t want to get into tearing down engines. Basically, the rules are fairly open except the cubic inch rule. Any time you open up the rules, it drives up the costs. These limited motors aren’t running too far off a smaller cubic inch unlimited engine as far as cost goes. When running for $1,000 or $1,200 to win each week, it’s easy to see not many drivers are breaking even, let alone making any money. Some are just not racing now.
Two, the Sportsman class needs to be reigned in. The theory behind the class was to keep it lower budget and give some up-and-coming drivers some valuable seat time against similar drivers. If you look at the results, there are drivers that have been racing for 20+ years and have multiple wins that are racing in that class. They really should be running with the limited class.
Richard: The economics of dirt racing, or any form of racing for that matter, are difficult at best. But as you point out, spending $15,000-20,000 on an engine that will only race for $1,000 at a time will never add up. However, when the rules, or lack of rules enforcement, allows for it, there will be at least one person who will spend whatever it takes to get a win. There are a fortunate few who don’t have to worry about costs.
And as far as the Sportsman class goes, I too thought it was supposed to be a low cost class for drivers who had not won in higher classes. It presumably would provide experience at a reasonable price.
However, one thing I have noted during the talks I have had with support class drivers is that many of them aspire to be Late Model racers. While they may never have the opportunity to go up against Jimmy Owens or Scott Bloomquist, they can afford a Sportsman ride. I believe the Sportsman class is a good thing, but at the same time, it has taken a toll on other divisions.
As you point out, some have dropped from the ranks of the Limited Late Models to Sportsman. But at the same time, others have moved out of classes such as Street Stocks or Hobby to the newer division. The problem with that, if there is one, is that there are relatively few new drivers coming into the sport. Rather, it’s the long-time competitors from other classes jumping into Sportsman. The end result seems to be good car counts in Sportsman but lowered counts for the others.
But as we all know, once something has been changed, it’s almost impossible to revert back. Will we continue to see a decrease in other support classes as a result?
Michael: I believe we will continue to see a decrease when there are as many as 4 late model classes to race in across this area. I think that also leads to part of the problem with the Limited Late Models.
The problem with the support classes is the same with the Limited Late Models – costs. These are classes are that usually not scrutinized and have seen the rules open up so tearing down engines rarely happens. The drivers running up front in the street stock/super stock division are spending some significant money considering they only race for a few hundred dollars to win each week. That goes back to what you said about drivers might as well race a type of a Late Model, and some are doing just that. Plus, it makes it hard to encourage new drivers to get into the sport.
The one thing I will never understand about some of these drivers “dropping down” a class to race in Sportsman is the fact they are racing for less money. I guess they think it’s easier to get a win avoiding the well-funded limited drivers. But I don’t see where some of the ones that moved down are doing any better by doing so.
Richard: To completely change the subject, it was great to see the crowd assembled at the Crossville Speedway for the Southern Nationals Bonus Series race this past Saturday. Not only was the racing action among the best I’ve seen this year but the show was well run and the facility appears to be in great shape.
As we have discussed in the past, the ingredients for success are here in this area. However, promoters and track owners cannot expect to simply swing the gates open and have large crowds with great racing. But when events are promoted, the track is well maintained, the facility kept in good condition, and the show is run in a timely fashion it appears as if fans in this area will reward those involved.
What were your thoughts on that race?
Michael: That was the best race I have seen in person this year, so far. The back-and-forth between McIntosh and Marlar was fun to watch. Then, Cory Hedgecock tried to get into the mix. Despite most everybody being on the bottom, there was a good amount of passing throughout the field.
I think everyone involved did a good job promoting that event, even getting the word out the race had been moved from Friday to Saturday. I don’t know who was responsible, but someone was able to get word of the race on one of the local TV stations in Knoxville. I’m sure that helped some.
One thing to add is how friendly everyone was that worked at the track. From the ladies at the ticket gate in the pits, to the track officials, to the safety crews, I personally encountered a number of nice greetings, friendly waves, or even some chats with a few of them.
Richard: The bottom line is that racing is like just about any other business. Whether it be a team or a track, when it is run wisely and efficiently it can be a very good thing. When run poorly, it can end in disaster.
