This message was edited on
June 06, 2007 at
07:35:17 PM by StanM
Reply to:
Posted By: brian26 on June 06 2007 at 04:10:33 AM
Sometimes mental survival means hiding away to get your thoughts intact and sort out what went right and wrong. Look at Sammy, he's been complained about for years and he still has a few surprises left in him. I've always seen Kinser do the job as long as you don't take too much of his focus time. He'll sign for you and think about the operation at the same time. These guys and many more have survived a lot longer than Sprint Car racing usually allows. Think about it, that much attention from so many, every night for years. Other than finding a sponsor I think it has to be about the toughest thing to do on a large scale. That's why many go for charities, smaller groups, valuable impact. I might be wrong though.
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I'm kind of outspoken about drivers hanging around to sign autographs. Actually, I've seen the sport from three different perspectives since my first races back in the early 60's.
My relatives used to own Supermodifieds and Sprints in the 60's and 70's. Some of their drivers included Jerry Richert Sr., Scratch Daniels and Jerry Lepinski. My first memories of racing were of my dad taking me to the garage to hang around while they worked on the race cars. It wasn't unusual for Richert or some of other drivers to be there. A couple of those guys are in the Hall of Fame now and they were all good with the fans and kids after the races. I can never remember any of those drivers having an attitude and not welcoming the fans after the races. That made a big impression on me as a kid just like these Outlaw drivers do with the kids today.
Turn the clock ahead to the 80's and I was busy raising my own four kids by that time and missed a lot of racing due to having a young family to support. By that time the World of Outlaws group was coming into our area and by then my relatives were out of racing so I was a fan in the stands. I was kind of surprised to see how some of these drivers acted towards the fans when I tried bringing my kids around after the races. I hadn't been to many races there for a few years and what I did go to was mostly local stuff. When a few of the Outlaws snubbed me and my kids back in the 80's it wasn't how drivers acted when I was a kid. After that happened a couple of times I started noting who the biggest offenders were to see if there was any kind of a pattern. I drew my conclusions and promised myself that if I ever got into a position where I could speak out about this practice I would.
Jump ahead to the late 90's and the kids were finally married off so I was getting into racing photography, something my dad took up after WWII. I took it a step further then he did and got into the action photos, got a deal writing for a racing paper and started a racing internet site. Now instead of dragging little kids to the pits after the races I was standing next to the drivers in the concession line.
During the past ten years I got to know many of our local drivers as well as a couple on the Outlaws who have ties to my area. I'm not trying to "name drop" but trying to explain that I'm not in awe of these guys, they're people who happen to be talented Sprint Car drivers. I grew up with racing people in my family and some of the most talented drivers to ever strap into a Sprint Car. I'm a pretty good railroader but us working people don't get any accolades or requests to sign autographs even if we're skilled at our profession. Regardless of their talent (and these guys are the best there is) none of them would be anything if the fans didn't support them. If they think it's a hassle hanging around to sign autographs they need to go punch a clock somewhere and spending more money than they should to take the family to the Outlaws. Promise the kids they'll meet the drivers and get stiffed when they all get out before the show is over.
My autograph seeking days ended when my kids grew up. Today I walk around the pits for a couple hours before the races taking notes. I marvel at the driver's skills from behind a camera, stand next to them in the hot dog line and share their excitement while taking their photo in victory lane. So meeting drivers after the races doesn't matter to me anymore because I'm around it all the time.
My concern is for the kids and parents. For the kids because they're the future of the sport and in their eyes drivers are larger than life heroes. Getting snubbed will turn them to other interests faster than your local promoter can say "how can we attract new fans to the sport." And my concern is for the parents who's kid's favorite driver left before they got to their hauler. I've been in that father's shoes having to explain to my son why his favorite driver only came around one night a year and wouldn't hang around a half hour until the Modified Feature was over and they opened the pits to the fans.
If even one driver who is guilty of leaving early reads my post and decides to make a greater effort to hang around I'll consider my goal accomplished. Like I said, this has been an issue with my for decades since I had to calm my own crying kid down after certain drivers left early. I do realize that it's an effort for the drivers. I've seen the obnoxious drunks and how hard these guys work in the heat of the day so I know it's not easy for them sometimes to hang around. On the other hand, you snub a kid and that's what they're going to remember next year when your group comes around. Maybe next year he'll ask his dad to take him to the ball game or hang out with his friends instead. Based on my own experiences I think that win or lose greeting the fans is the most important thing any driver can do.
P.S. Tracks need to understand that the fans want to see these drivers and run their program accordingly. Instead of packing as many support cars into the back gate as possible only invite the top 20 in points and limit the number of support races. Weather is beyond their control but they can take other steps to move the show along. What good are all those workshops and seminars you're attending in the winter if you don't put them into practice? Put the fan first and foremost when setting the racing order and lineup.
Stan Meissner
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