I realize that it's more difficult to get in and out of cars, and more has to be hooked up, but when we forget that short track racing is not only a sport... but it is also ENTERTAINMENT.... our sport loses to other things in our society that are more "entertaining."

Yea... I can hear them now...  anyone involved with running a racetrack right about now is saying, "Doesn't he know how long that would take... We don't have time to do that....  yet many of those same racetracks will often have to take the time to do 50 minutes of track maintenance... or will take the time to run a consi with 7 cars with 6 to qualify.... or will "stretch the intermission" because the show has been moving faster than usual.)  Or they'll probably say, "You don't understand... the driver's would never go for that..."

The biggest issue hurting our remaining short tracks is that many track managers/promoters have lost touch with what it's like to be in the stands... what it's like to be "entertained"... On race night, they get caught up with "managing issues that arise" rather than putting themselves in a position to really take in the WHOLE show....  And then they make the same mistake week after week... managing the pieces, but never managing the "whole show".... season after season until nobody cares anymore.... 

Maybe they're right... Maybe they don't have time for having the driver's stand in front of their cars... before they head into battle.   Maybe the driver's would say it's too difficult, and don't want to do it....  And maybe I'm right... eventually... season after season, nobody will care anymore.

What do I know guys?   I guess I'm the freak.  Here it is 35 years later, and I'm dumb enough to think that other guys out there will look at the photo above and will remember what it was like to see those drivers out there next to their cars...  and will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. 

Moments that we'll never forget... Moments that could be happening this Saturday night at your local short track... that maybe some kid will still remember 35 years from now...  that is if there's still a local short track around.

Comment:

I agree, As a kid going to Bridgeport this was done periodically, mostly for big shows. I will give one promoter credit though for a twist on this, Doug Hoffman has been staging the Big Block features behind the grandstand prior to the feature race. This allows the fans an up close look at the drivers, some idle over from the pits with their helmets off allowing  the fans to see the man behind the mask so to speak.   Usually there is 5 minutes or so before the start your engines command is given, this gives the drivers a chance to speak to their families and fans and  receive their “Good Luck” wishes before they race. It adds an air of excitement to the event and it really creates the old school atmosphere of years gone past for those of us that remember. To the newer fans it makes memories. The drivers seem to like doing it also and it doesn’t take much time. All in all a great idea!

I remember in the early sixties the drivers would get out of their cars on the home stretch, smoke a cigarette, bs with other drivers, with the fans and maybe sign an autograph or two.  Actually the most popular drivers like Al Tasnady, Jackie McLaughlin, Budd Olsen would get a large crowd around them seeking autographs, etc.  It was laid back, interactive and provided a bond between the driver and the crowd.  Also helped the crowd bond with the race track, i.e. it felt like home... and we would go back each and every week.  The stands would be full, but that was more because the tracks had not increased the seating.  For example, Flemington's grandstand was always full when there were no 4th turn seats and a small bleacher going from the grandstand to the first turn and an even smaller bleacher on the third turn.  The crowds were more into it then.  People would stand and yell for their favorite drivers for the entire feature. 

Although there is certainly atmosphere at the tracks today, it just seemed that back in the day especially at Flemington, the atmosphere was electric...

I remember during the flathead days at Reading the National Anthem was played right before the feature.  The cars were on the track, the drivers out and introduced, and then everybody (drivers included) stood still, shut their mouths, and faced the flag while the Anthem played.  You could hear a pin drop during the playing.

Different tracks play the Anthem at different times.  During my days in the pits running sprints when I heard the Anthem I always stood, hand over heart, faced the flag and respected the country I served in uniform.  After a time or two the guys who helped me from time to time caught on and did the same.  Around me tires were being changed, fuel loaded.  One time I was almost knocked to the ground by a crewman hurrying to do something on another car.  I remember thinking, this takes two minutes, if you need these two  minutes to get on the track you were not ready to race anyway.

Possibly the fact that we no longer have a draft and many do not serve leads to such behavior.  In those days of yesteryear the drivers were veterans of WWII and/or Korea.  They understood what it was all about.  As you say in your comments, today it is all money and we have a sub-class that serves.  National pride is absent. 

To your point about putting a face on that helmet, what better time than during the Anthem?  A modified form for the Cup example (maybe better behavior) with the drivers coming to the front stretch for the Anthem would be an idea.  The people get to see the guys, the nation is honored, and them we get to the fun part.

Didn't that van belong to Al Mathews Studio? 

Sadly some of those real nice traditions of our racing past have gone by, but I think that we all should be very mindful of what they were and why they evolved. I really think some of them need to be re-visited.  I can remember the drivers and others in the pits at Middletown going up to the fence during the intermission, sometimes it looked like fan club meetings.