Opinion: Short Tracks Need Support

Share:

Let’s take a break from trying to fix restrictor-plate racing, Twitter wars and driver feuds to focus on something extremely important to the racing world.

Folks, our short tracks need your help.

It saddens me to say that the short-track world is in deep trouble and for many, 2016 is a critical year.

Let’s accentuate the positive and point out that what I just said is not a blanket statement. There are several speedways around the country doing a great business at the box office as well as the pit gate. But that list is much shorter than it was only a handful of years ago.

Truth be told, some of the tracks suffering have done it to themselves after years of neglect to facilities, inedible concessions, bathroom conditions that would be deemed unsuitable for prisoners let alone paying customers, and an interminable number of divisions and race programs that last into the wee hours of the morning.

So far this season, I’ve actually witnessed two shows – one featuring a prominent touring series – that threw the green flag on main events after midnight. Unacceptable and dumb are just two of the words I can use to describe those decisions and remain a family-friendly website.

Unfortunately, others are victims of circumstance. It’s a long list of challenges that includes a still-gurgling economy, time constraints, waning interest in the sport, a disconnect to the car culture, digital devices and local municipalities that view racetracks as valuable property for other development.

Many of these tracks simply believe they can operate by unlocking the front and back gates, and throwing the green …

continue reading in source www.mrn.com