AUTO RACING BLOG: Let's Create Local Short Track Heroes

I have a challenge for all short tracks this year; let’s use the media and social media to promote the local heroes at our short tracks.

Sure, we can say why should we when they are going to probably move up to the higher levels of racing.  But, let’s be honest, how many will honestly make it to the top and when they do what is wrong with that?

Sharing stories about our local drivers is missing in today’s short track media.  We need more out there.  Just don’t focus on your top division but all divisions. There are some unique stories that are worth sharing to the fans and to public.

In the Midwest, I grew up watching local heroes like Dick Trickle, Tom Reffner, Joe Shear and more.  They drew crowds when we received an ARTGO flyer in the mail that these stars and their cars will be racing in this event.  John McKarns had something going, he was making them household names.

Some drivers have human-interest stories that the public would love to know about.  These stories may create an interest for a new fan to come out and see this person race in person.  The best part, it is affordable for them to do that.

What would happen if a driver happens to move up to the higher levels of racing? That is a good thing.  Many in the Midwest watched this young driver named Matt Kenseth compete at the local tracks.  Now he is a Sprint Cup Champion and a two-time winner of the Daytona 500.

Here is a unique thing about someone like Kenseth who goes up to the higher levels. They can come back when their schedule allows and race at the short tracks.  There really isn’t any other mainstream sport that cannot really offer something where a professional athlete can come back down and play that sport.

Think about it, your local short track probably has many drivers who are veterans that can easily fit the role of a local track hero.  This driver has a solid fan base and the fans will either cheer or boo when they win. 

Now drivers, this is not an opportunity for you to become a “prima donna” and start demanding appearance fees, discounts on tires, officials looking the other way when you do something wrong on the track, etc.  You need to embrace it and become an ambassador for your track.  You need to help them thrive and become the place that people want to spend their entertainment dollar at. 

This is all about working together and making our short tracks the place that provides the best place to visit each week. 

When I was growing up, I would get as many autographs I could when I was at the local track. It felt the same as getting a Sprint Cup drivers autograph.  Anytime we saw a driver walking around in their driver’s suit, we didn’t know who they were, but knew they were a driver and we wanted them to sign our checkered flag.  That driver took their time to sign and became an instant hero.

While we are promoting our events, let’s promote our local drivers as well.  You make them feel important to the track; they will make sure that the track is important to them.  This will be a successful cross promotion.