By Tim Packman
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has been making a concerted effort the past few years to recognize – and reconnect with – the grassroots racing around the country.
Shrinking crowds and TV audiences showed the sanctioning body was suffering from a missing link between their “big league” status and the short track racers. Thus, efforts have been taking place to reestablish the once strong connection and fill seats.
During the Daytona 500 Media Day on Wednesday, three NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have long-time involvement in the short track scene offered their views on the topic.
Kyle Larson drives the No. 42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing on Sundays. However, he can be found in Sprint Cars and Midgets at multiple tracks around the country throughout the entire year.
During the Daytona Speedweeks, Larson has been running a Sprint Car at Volusia County Speedway. Coming off his recent Chili Bowl victory in Tulsa, Okla. this month, he likes what he’s seeing regarding the NASCAR Grassroots efforts.
“They’re working on it, you can see it gets better each year,” Larson said. “You can see the effort that’s being put in with everything. Its not like they’re not trying.
“Having NASCAR own the lowered-tiered series like ARCA benefits bringing grassroots fans back to being involved. I think I’ve seen an improvement, at least on the dirt side of things, to get fans interested in the three tops series of NASCAR.
“Myself, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Christopher Bell, Kasey Kahne and Tony (Stewart) being involved in dirt racing, but also in NASCAR, helps bring a lot of fans. I like feeling like I’m making an impact on those efforts with my involvement.”
Another driver taking to the short track action in Florida is Ryan Preece. The driver of the No. 37 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing has been wheeling his ground pounding Modified at New Smyrna Speedway a few nights. He offered praise and suggestion for grassroots track operators.
“The Modified races at New Smyrna have been exciting,” Preece said. “Even though I wasn’t battling for the lead, the races have been won in the last six laps. That’s good racing.
“The biggest thing I noticed at Volusia the other night, as opposed to an asphalt track, was they keep the show moving. They keep it entertaining outside of what’s going on out on the track. I think a lot of places can take note on how a show is done there.
“A lot of people don’t want to be sitting at a race track from 5 p.m. past 11 p.m. anymore. They want to get in at 6:30 an out by 9:30 p.m. Tracks just need to condense the show.
Preece will continue racing his Modified this year at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. He thinks the NASCAR fans in town for Daytona also helps the short tracks.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the NASCAR fans to see where some of us come from and how we grew up racing fighting tooth and nail,” he continued. “I think it is good for them to go see and enjoy that type of racing we did to get where we are now.”
Ryan Blaney spent his youth at short tracks all around the country watching his dad, the Buckey Bullet of Dave Blaney, in Sprint Cars. Now driving the No. 12 Ford for Penske Racing, the third-generation driver has kept an eye on NASCAR’s efforts with the grassroots levels.
“I got to New Smyrna on Tuesday night an hour before the show and couldn’t find a place to park,” Blaney said. “I had to make my own, then had a nasty note on my windshield when I left – I deserved it.
“It makes you feel good to see a crowd like that. I went to Volusia on Saturday night, and it was packed more than I have ever seen it. The racing community is alive well at the short tracks. People like the grassroots racing, they put on a good show.
“For Daytona, the infield is more crowded now than I have ever seen.”
His view on how the NASCAR tracks could do a better job for their consumers involves pricing and the overall experience.
“We need to increase the experience by going to some new and shorter tracks. NASCAR has done pretty good to make ticket packages for more affordable and attractive for families, which is good.
“Hotel prices are probably the most outrageous thing when it comes to race weekends. I know NASCAR can’t control that aspect.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvements by the tracks to make it more attractive for the families to attend. I’ve been coming to Daytona for five years now, and I think we’re doing a much better job of in the five years I’ve been coming here. I’ve even heard from fans how much they like coming to our races with all the improvements in pricing and the experience.”
Love it, everything is going back to a possitave, I have no problem with change, everything is temporary,we just don’t know how long temporary is , good to see everyone’s excited again, I’ve been going to races fo 40year’s , been everyway one can go,from the muddy infield to the pressbox,lotta good memories,a lil story,in my 20s & 30s I’d meet my uncle’s & cousin’s in the grandstànd’s and there was 18 of them met every year older gentleman from all around had the same seats every year,it was such a wonderful feeling to watch them draw numbers out of a hat ,they had the best time,they all started dieing off ,the old guys one year were all gone,God bless them all,I know there all still watching up their & still going at it,what memories, DAYTONA 500
Very interesting article by Tim Packman. Sure is nice to learn a lot about our racing drivers. Thank You. Keep up the good job!! Lets ENJOY our tracks & drivers