Texas Owes its Life to Two Fallen Heros

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

3 Responses to “Texas Owes its Life to Two Fallen Heros”

1. Luke on October 26th, 2008 9:26 pm

   “He who cannot speak should not type” — Luke

   North Wilkesboro, a nice little 5/8ths mile bullring was purchased by Bob Bahre and Bruton Smith. Splitting the dates between New Hampshire and Texas. (Coincidentally, NHIS is now NHMS, but whatever.)

   ISC, owning Rockingham and both dates, sold its soul (for the hundredth+ time) and moved one date to that Godawful place in Fontana, while then selling off the other date to Bruton Smith (ending our Dark Overlord Frances renig on Texas’ second date).

   However, did you know that Richard Petty won 3 races at Texas? Yep, sure did. Jaws even has a trophy from Texas. Granted that was Texas World Speedway, one of only 7 super speedways in the country, which was replaced on the schedule by the Pocono 500 in 1982.

   Flat out, it sucks. Can’t really say that the product was improved. Such are the times, and expanding into places previously untapped I suppose. In fact, I’m trying to think of the last time someone said they were going to Texas for the racing. It’s not bad, but it’s not a Charlotte, Atlanta or Michigan. This whole car fiasco hasn’t helped matters much, either.

   Guess we’ll know in a week though.

   I’ll let you in on a little Thunder Lounge secret though: It’s more fun when there appears to be 86 cars on the track.

2. Steve Wronkowicz on October 27th, 2008 6:03 am

   Luke–

   Thanks for the nitty-gritty. It is a bit crazy how all these things are inter-twined. I had forgotten all about Texas World Speedway.

   The question always is whether the racing has improved with the new mega-tracks and their suites and all; or will we soon see that the days of smaller tracks, with less seating, will once again be in vogue.

   Just think about the huge multi-purpose stadiums from the seventies and how quickly they were replaced by smaller, more intimate and better facilities in the Nineties and Oughts.

   After seeing the crowd at Atlanta on Sunday; wouldn’t a full Rockingham look better?

   Only eighty-six cars sighted after a trip to the Thunder Lounge at Texas–don’t tell me you’re starting to cut the Red-Eye?

3. Luke on October 27th, 2008 4:21 pm

   Cut what? No, never.

   It is quite strange how it’s all intertwined. Most folks tend to overlook many a thing such as this. It’s quite an interesting and storied history throughout the entire NASCAR brand, for sure.

   What’s very funny, in my opinion? Take Kansas and Chicago for example. There are about as many seats there as there are at Martinsville, give or take a couple thou.

   Bristol? There’s more than twice the seating capacity, approaching 3 times, even.

   All at tracks 1/3 the size of Kansas or Chicago, that also put on a much better show.

   While I do agree that you can’t over saturate a particular market, as ticket sales can fall to a one or the other choice in today’s world, where I disagree completely is that a track has to be one of the mile and a half cookies.

   OK, it worked for a couple tracks, and diversity isn’t a bad thing. But just as you can over saturate a market with track options, you can also just as easily over saturate a schedule with the same ol’ same ol’.

   Oh wait, I forgot the 2 degrees of difference in the turns. My bad.

   Not everything on the schedule should be half-mile tracks. Just as it shouldn’t be hale and a half tracks. However there should be a better diversity on the schedule, as well. For NASCAR to succeed into the future, they’re going to have to think outside the box. Right now, they’re not, and the lack of growth is showing now. It’s actually been showing for a while, they’ve just not listened.

   Personally, I think a good start would be to evaluate the current schedule, and anything over a mile in length.

   Do we really need to watch Fontana twice a year? Um, no. Pocono? No again, and the one that’s left should be a 400.

   What’s truly needed are a few tracks that break the mold and give back the product that places in the past provided. Something to where no matter the venue on tap for the weekend, it draws your attention.

   Other than being jerks (and I can think of much more fitting terms), Kentucky wasn’t ever an option for the top series. More of the same, and at least NASCAR knew it.

   I’d throw a bone to Nashville first. Why? It’s different, and offers something unique.

   Next, I’d build a new track or two. Maybe a Rockingham-like track, but in another market. And maybe even mix that up a bit more. Of course it wouldn’t be wise to jump on it without some inside dealings, but if it’s ISC building, it’s a sure bet.

   Maybe a new California track, perhaps, or whatever. They idea with the previous NY/Seattle disasters were on the right path, although they needed much improvement. One thing, the track “planned” for NY was at least in the right direction, and not one of these cookies.

   So there’s room for improvement, as is always the case, but with improvement comes great responsibility. In other words, schedule wisely, Mr. France.

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