Revved Up or Run Down? The Battle for the Soul of Local Late Model Stock Racing
Introduction
A storm is brewing in the high-octane world of Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) racing. As NASCAR and CARS Tour flirt with aligning their rule books, local track operators are left pondering the implications. Will this alignment be the much-needed nitrous boost for the sport or the equivalent of a blown engine for local tracks? This story dives into the economic and competitive realities facing local track owners in the wake of potential changes.
The Concerns of Local Track Owners
“Aligning our rules with a non-NASCAR sanctioning body only helps the non-NASCAR group,” says one local track owner, echoing the sentiments of many of his peers. The concern is palpable. Local tracks have tailored their rule books to cater to their racers for years, and a sudden shift could be detrimental.
“All of our car counts are in the toilet, and may not be revivable,” the track owner adds. “This alignment would just sink the ship faster.”
The Economics of Local Tracks
Local tracks operate on thin margins. They rely on car counts, ticket sales, and concessions to keep the lights on. A rule book alignment with CARS Tour could potentially siphon off local talent, further depleting already dwindling car counts.
Moreover, the financial burden of adapting to new rules could be a death knell for smaller operations. “Any rule changes should clearly reduce cost and reduce complexity at this point,” argues another track owner. “If they cost money or add complexity, they should not be implemented.”
The Shadow of CARS Tour
The growth of CARS Tour, especially following its acquisition by racing legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, has been nothing short of spectacular. But its success has cast a long shadow over local tracks.
While CARS Tour races routinely see car counts approaching 30 in the Late Model Stock division, local tracks struggle to pull together a consistent Late Model team base for their weekly shows. The fear is that an alignment would tip the scales in favor of the traveling series, leaving local tracks in the dust.
The Role of Financial Flexibility
One of the arguments for alignment is that teams participating in CARS Tour events have greater financial flexibility to overhaul their cars compared to the weekly racer. However, this is precisely why local track owners are concerned.
“Financial flexibility for one is a financial strain for another,” notes a local track operator. “We need to consider the smaller teams who can’t afford to adapt to new rules overnight.”
Conclusion: A Call for Balanced Dialogue
From NASCAR’s standpoint, such meetings to discuss rule changes are routine and necessary. However, as technology evolves and the landscape of LMSC racing changes, it’s crucial to include the voices of local track operators in the conversation.
As one track owner puts it, “I completely support any rule changes that reduce cost and complexity because that will help all of us and Late Model racing … but they should meet both criteria or again, they shouldn’t be implemented.”
The struggle for the soul of Late Model Stock racing is far from over, but one thing is clear: any changes to the rule book need to be carefully considered with the interests of all stakeholders in mind. Only then can the sport truly rev its engines toward a brighter future.