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Dave Argabright's American Scene: Has The Common Man Vanished From Short-Track Racing?

January 24, 2007 National Speed Sport News

By Dave Argabright

FISHERS, Ind. -- Has money stolen the heart and soul of short-track racing? Make no mistake about it: It costs money to go racing. Always has, and always will. But in recent years we have seen an unprecedented escalation in the amount of money required, and it seems that the very culture of our sport has been influenced. At the recent Chili Bowl midget nationals, for example, one prominent driver mentioned his conversation with one of the top teams about a ride for the event. Sure, they had a car for him, they said; he just needed to bring a check for $10,000 to cover their expenses. The message is very clear: If you have money, there are openings. If you don't, well, you don't. Since the very beginning, short-track racing has been a blue-collar sport. Guys working at the mill -- or the mine, or the factory, or the auto shop -- wanted to go racing, so they begged, borrowed and welded something together. If they were good, their career took off. If not, they kept going anyway, simply because they loved racing. But look around any short track today. The race cars are far more adjustable, more efficient, lighter, shinier and superior in every way to anything ever raced before. That's the good news. The bad news is that the costs of such fine equipment are now threatening to push the blue-collar racer completely out of the sport. Is this a big deal? I think it is, and here's why. In overwhelming numbers, short-track racers were always people who lived in modest homes, drove a modest vehicles on the street, and sent their kids to public schools. Middle class, through and through. Accordingly, short-track fans have also historically been blue-collar in overwhelming numbers. This is not, and has never been, the sport of kings; it is the sport of the average Joe, who sweats all week at the shop and lays down a few hard-earned dollars for a ticket on the weekend. That ticket money has been the lifeblood of our sport, at any level. We Americans like to relate to our stars, our heroes. The guy we typically saw on the track was just like us: He came from modest circumstances, worked his ass off to succeed and often had a rough edge that never quite got polished off. Think about some of the heroes of the past 25 years: Jack Hewitt, Richie Evans, Larry Moore, Kevin Olson, Rich Vogler, Doug Wolfgang, Mike Eddy, Jan Opperman, Freddie Smith, Charlie Swartz, Jody Ridley, Steve Kinser and Bob Senneker, to name just a few. All came from a modest, blue-collar background. Recently, however, the demographics have begun to change very quickly. The young people getting opportunities to race are not necessarily getting them because they are talented; they're getting them because their family can fund their initial efforts. By no means is this bad or wrong; it's just the way the sport has evolved. Many of these young racers have acquitted themselves very well, proving they don't just have money, but moxie, talent and desire as well. We have not yet reached a point where money alone guarantees victory; it still takes skill and tenacity. And plenty of young guys and gals have shown plenty of both. But as the demographics change, the bar is quickly being raised. At the sprint-car level, for example, team owners now look not just at talent but how much money the driver can bring. What was once ridiculed and reviled in IndyCar racing has now permeated open-wheel racing at the short-track level as well. What does this mean to the blue-collar racer? Is he or she a dinosaur, resigned to extinction? Are we reaching a point where the cost of participation is beyond the means of an average American? Not yet, I don't think. But it's worth taking a look. For 19 years, this column has covered a wide range of topics and a wide range of racing. That won't change, I hope. But for the first time, I'm entering the new year with a theme: Has the blue-collar, common man vanished from short-track racing? Are there guys still winning with second-hand stuff, with very few spares, relying on skill and savvy instead of money? The emphasis is on winning; yes, it's still possible to race on a bubble-gum budget, but can you still win? That's the real question. So, call this year a quest, a search. I'll be looking not just for the winner, but the winner who is persevering despite being greatly overspent by his rivals. Something in my gut tells me that it's happening much more than we think. That's what I'm looking for. And when I find such racers, I want to give them the ink they deserve. It very well may be that racing will eventually spend itself into oblivion. But until then, let's raise a toast to the guy getting it done on his own nickel, against the odds, hanging in there. Maybe the blue-collar racer isn't done yet. That's what I hope to find out.

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

I don't think it is happening as much as Argabright thinks. Even here in OKC at the 360 level most of the winners are the ones with $$$$......and that is the common theme around the country.

As far as what a driver can bring to the car owner's table..........there is examples everywhere. Not to knock at all.....but it's the reason Dustin Lindquist is in the Forbrook car and not Shane Stewart or Wayne Johnson or several other greatly more proven drivers. The situation is 2 faced for any fan. Looking in the long term these rich kids are doing more harm than good because there ARE many drivers that their $$$ alone can beat and more so most of these kids plans (willingly or not) are NOT t stay in sprint cars.....so low-budget guys are being knocked-out and replaced by what? nothing......... But on the other hand we the fans get to watch them grow into great drivers not just average drivers with rich parents or whoever else and since so many low-budget guys are still around we don't see the bad effects of this and/or other money issues in the sport. So where is the middle ground? There isn't one.......the "blue collar drivers" Argabright speaks of are out there and diminishing year-by-year. There is no average anymore. To be competitive or even have fun you have to spend at least a large portion of what the front-runners are spending. I think as time goes on we will see more and more of these "blue collar drivers" get out of Sprint car Racing and into other forms of racing where they can be competitive on their low budget. There's kids gettin into sprints with dreams of Nascar and there are guys who work their asses off all week just to have some fun at the track come friday (or saturday dependin on where you live). Another fine example is the factory stock class at OKC. What used to be healthy class of 30-40 cars and even competition went out the window at the same time the engine claim rule did. Now you got these kids out there with 10K motors or more and even the average joe in factory stocks (which is as average as you can get) have been ran out. The one thing with the power to keep the negative effects of this away in sprints or whatever is the rule books. An effort---tho slight----has at least been made as we have seen with the approach of a new, smaller right rear tire. The drivers Argabright speaks of and that I speak of will probably have to end up runnin 305's as then it's not so much your pocketbook as almost everyone has to run virtually the same thing. I agree with a buddy of mine here that 305's are the coming thing. But I think we have obvious factors to thank for that. Hopefully the rules could be arranged and mandated in 410's or 360's so that the average racer can still do what he loves.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

I'm not sure what OKCFan12 is saying but I clearly understand what Dave is saying. All automobile racing is affected by affluent sponsorship or owners, if not directly then by "trickledown". What happens when it goes away or is seriously diminished? NASCAR has wrestled itself to the head of the foodchain and I believe that they will be the benchmark to watch for the future.

The great majority of tracks today are adding numerous "junker" classes. The trend that I see evolving is to primarily depend on the back gate for revenue. This works for a while but at the expense of the fan in the stands and that exasterbates the problem because the fan base dwindles making the back gate more and more responsible to keep the track open.

Here in Florida there are no weekly tracks that run sprints anymore and the quantity and quality of late models is also diminishing rather rapidily. There are however more varations of the "junkers" that I care to count and each has a black number 3 in the field.

For every Kinser, Wolfgang, and E there were 10 other guys as good if not better that didn't have the money even back in the blue collar days. It isn't cheap, and in a world where Americans are actually saving on average a negative amount of their income and the gap between the haves and the have nots continues to grow, money will rule.

305's are great (im going to be racing one myself) but they are not the cure in some aspect. Wings cost x amount...lol. I think it comes down to more of the promoter knocking down the pit pass price, or not signing an exclusive deal with a manufacturer just to put money in his/her pocket.

OR HOW ABOUT TECH'ING RULES???? Think about how much money that saves a racer, knowing he doesn't have to spend big money for exotic parts just to be that much better.

I guess no matter what the cost I'm still going to try to race, learn, and just try to have fun!!

JMO!!! Blast away

I wonder how many rich kids are buying their way into football programs? None. Blue collar race fans cheer for blue collar racers, not for $10 million dollars worth the racing equipment sitting in the pits at their local dirt track facility.

http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26188

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

The really short answer: Tires. How many blue collar racers can throw $500 at tires a night? There aren't many places where you can win without spending at least that on tires.

This is all true as i have raced in all classes of dirt track cars and when in the sprint cars

i won a championship that on any night the win was worth $1000. and after tires fuel, It was all spent and then some. I feel i would have a could have made it to WoO but i was told buy team owners that

i would have to bring BIG MONEY with to drive for any of the teams. I know i'm as good as any of the top guys but i will never get to show that as there is a lack of the BIG MONEY. So what i am saying is that many real good drivers will never get to show there greatness because of MONEY.

One really rich guy I would have liked to have seen race would be: Donald Trump

I can just see him now wheeling a cageless sprinter, hauling down the front-stretch with his 'lid' lifting causing aero drag!

hey cubic I don't buy that 11% baseball crap. Thats a sport thats falling off quick like these days.....the only thing falling faster is boxing and hockey. And how ironic my 2 favorite sports.....racing and soccer...are on the rise.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Yep, baseball is on the decline. That is why MLB has shown an increase in attendance the past five years and seems to have dug itself out the hole it cost itself when they last went on strike.

I can't speak for regionally but just locally in the OKC area there is the racing Jennings. Starts off when Earnest, who in his 70's, still runs and competes with no sponsors and all used parts. In fact, even in the old 100 inch days, I don't recall Earnest ever having a sponsor. Just fix what maybe broken and continue.

His son, Bruce, is about the same. His sprinter is like a tank but always manages to pick up at least one victory at year at SFS. He had a couple of sponsors when he drove 100 inch cars back in the 80's but in the sprint division he basically has raced what he had and fixed himself.

Then there are Earnests grandsons Brandon (Bruces son) and Lee. They have no sponors, check for those high dollar teams that fold when son really doesn't want to race after daddy and mommy spent thousands so their sons can race. While Brandon is still learning (but getting tons better race after race) and Lee is really fast, they both have been brought up to realise that if you tear it up, you fix it or you buy the next part. They understand what it means by taking care of your equipment because they don't have the deep pockets most boys do their age.

Those I mentioned above are just a couple I see weekly at SFS who could go on to be successful with ASCS or another traveling series. There are those young kids who have came up the same way here at SFS who have done it all on their own. In the end they catch the attention of the fans in the stands because when they do reach victory lane or finish in the top three or five, the fans do show their support to those drivers.

I remember hearing stories of drivers using clothes hangers to strap on a part of bubble gum to plug up a leak or dumpster diving for thrown away tires because even they were better than what some races had to begin with.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

Lynton Jeffrey, Josh Higday, Jake Peters, Johnny Anderson and Calvin Landis come to mind off the top of my head as guys who won at Knoxville in 2006 and do it on their own...

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

Right now in Az the ASCS is coming in and moving out the long standing ASCA. The Arizona sprints has been a place for the "blue collar" racer and for young drivers to get experience before jumping into a 410 traditional car.

ASCS allows's Titanium for drive shafts ,bolt kits, u joints etc,and yes,Carbon fiber. Go to this site and you can see what the "blue collar"owner ,driver is worried about here.It's not young drivers with dads money its basic...RULES. http://www.abcmotorsports.com/index.htm

Oh yeah,great sight...

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

In the vast majority of cases, it's just the promoters merely trying to find a way to survive all of this. It's not a greed thing.

9th Annual Northern Ohio Sprint Car Show
March 18-20, 2011
Featuring the FAST sprint cars
NOSCS Hall of Fame, and much more...
At the Tiffin Mall in Tiffin, Ohio
Official home of the Hoserville Ohio Benefit Auction

You're all wet and don't know what you're talking about in regards to Dustin. True, his family owns a business in the booming metropolis of Floodwood, Minnesota, but it's hardly a fortune 500 company or anything close to it. Matter of fact, between races Dustin actually works in the family business.

The thing that got Dustin Lindquist noticed are his skills in a Sprint Car in our local 360 series. Ask longtime veterans Jerry Richert Jr., Joe Kouba and Roger Rager if Dustin has the talent if you don't believe me. Oh, by the way, our local 360 racing probably hasn't produced any drivers that you've ever heard of, only Donnie Schatz and Travis Whitney. Guy Forbrook is a Minnesota based car owner who has hired one of the best Minnesota based drivers to come along in many years. I've seen a lot of Sprint Car drivers dating back to my first races in the early 60's and Dustin has a lot of talent. Give him a chance to prove himself. The kid started in Wissota Mod 4's, that's a 4 cylinder Modified, funded by the family hardware business. Working the isles in a hardware store "yes sir, may I help you find something today?" isn't exactly what I'd consider being born with a silver spoon in one's mouth.

Stan Meissner

Many years ago, I was working on a "blue collar" top fueler, the owner asked Gene Adams of Hillborn Injectors what he needed to go faster. Gene's reply, "Get a bigger wallet" It is just as true today as it was 38 years ago.

There will always be someone with more money or better equipment. thats the way it has always been. How many of these local racers who don't have the money to compete with the high dollar guys show up with a big toter and trailer to go 30 miles from home?

You guys and Dave are missing the bigger picture. Yeah it costs top dollar to win a championship, but who is gonna notice if the stands are empty?

Between sanctioning body fees, purses and insurance, the american family that used to be out there everyweek end is getting priced out. Its not disolution of the entertainment dollar but the outright cost. Heck an average weekend not including a national event is hitting 100 bucks to get in the gate for a family. How the hell is the sport gonna survive if you cant bring your kids and get em hooked?

I can go to the bowling alley on 2 buck night and close the place down for less than going to a race and get more excercise than 12 ounce curls and yelling at the chief starter.

You wanna talk national events, I'll respond with the beach on Rarotonga, lmao.

The bottom line is the rich guys will always buy the best engineering, and the promoters need to figure out how to sell seats without outpricing themselves to the non-hard core long time fans while building a base for the future.

One thing that keeps popping into my head and promoters are free to drive the bus over me, is charge the driving age full fare, anyone under driving age is 5 bucks and under 13 is free. Build a base and they will be lined up at the soda shack.

...

I think the common driver is still out there. I still believe he can do good too against the bigger guy. But what is common? Knoxville guys like Phillips, Antill, Maeschen, Moro...come to think of it we still have many part time racers who do good with crap.

Though Sponsors will always be a big thing...more and more. There are hundreds of drivers I would love to see on the same playing field in equipment. Hell, for the fun of it tomorrow as i sit bored at work I will make a list of drivers I would love to have seen compete in the WoO championship as if it was IROC. 20-30 drivers and they all have the same money to spend. Could be a heck of a list.

As I hav said before. When I get to Heavenmy first question will not be, "What was the meaning to life." My first Question to god will be, " Who was the best damn race car driver you ever placed on Earth?" and i expect my answer to be some guy I never hear of and more than likely was some guy/girl who was a trucker driver, welder or factory worker with kids who never got the chance to step foot in a car cause he could never afford it.

-----------------------------------------------------
A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

To take your observation a step further Jackhole how many Hall of Fame greats would be able to get a ride if they were just starting out today? Many of them didn't have a pot to p*ss in, were bigger guys than owners look for today and weren't good with the media. Not to mention that they liked the post race parties and sponsors shy away from that nowadays.

OKC fan took exception with Forbrook hiring Lindquist and I pointed out a little bit about Dustin's background. Thinking about that brought up another interesting point. Where I live here in Minnesota Late Models are king and there aren't that many opportunities to get noticed racing Sprint Cars. WoO champion Donnie Schatz and IRA champ Travis Whitney both got their start in Wissota and did quite a bit of their early racing at Cedar Lake. Dustin started in Mod 4's then switched to IMCA Sprints at Arlington Raceway southwest of Minneapolis. All three of those drivers got their start in family owned cars and if their families hadn't been able to afford to field a car there's a good chance you'd have never heard of any of them. There are very few Sprint Car owners up here, almost every Sprint driver starts out in a family owned operation. The chances of any driver to come out of Minnesota or the upper Midwest and talk their way into their first Sprint Car ride are about a million to one.

That should give everyone a much greater appreciation of what Craig Dollansky has accomplished both on and off the track. There's a blue collar family and an example of someone who worked his *ss off and hustled to even get a shot driving these cars. Where Craig comes from up by Elk River there are some local Modified and Late Model owners but the only Sprint Car owners within hundreds of miles of Elk River all drive their own cars. Craig raced a little locally then put his racing on hold to help his brother for a few years. I have a friend who used to work 9-5 in a business with him when he wasn't racing (the friend is on the way to Florida with his Modified as I type). When Craig decided to get back into racing he had to venture off to Knoxville helmet bag in hand and bullsh*t his way into his first ride. I don't think it's possible to appreciate what any of these guys from up my way have gone through to become household names in Sprint Car racing. I have a lot of respect for all of them.

Stan Meissner