My review today is based on a wide personal history of the track. I've been coming here for 33 years, both as a fan and a member of the media. It is one of the greatest short tracks in the United States, to be sure, but could use some improvements to the fan experience. I'm going to write about what I miss from its glory days, praise what is great, and make some recommendations for improvement based on my most recent experiences.
Recent negotiations have been on going to bring in a NASCAR Cup Race. It will take a lot of doing, there are great backers lined up and I do hope it happens.
Glory years for me go back to the 1990's. What I miss are the programs. Back then, there was racing every week. Now, there is racing only about once per month. Weekly racing frequently included several 200 lap races during the summer. That was great! However, back then there was no noise curfew and today, racing has to end by 10:00 PM. I also miss the All-American 400 in its original format. Back then, the race was one race of 400 laps and pitted the top drivers from a northern series against the south. It was so great, it was broadcast on TV. Finally, back then, the track was recognized nationally as a major stepping stone to the big leagues. Drivers from across the country came here to race. Not so much any more.
There was a period of time that the future of the track was seriously in doubt. Governmental politics and what I call track mismanagement seemed to doom the historic track, but it has risen from premature predictions on its demise.
Recent years have brought the track back with great results. Following are the things I like about the program.
- Relative peace in the pits compared to other local tracks plagued by fights and competitor sabotage.
- The racing surface and banking on the larger track provide for a great program.
- Emergency track personnel and officials are top notch..
- Competition on both the 1/4 mile and 5/8 mile provide great entertainment.
- The historic grandstand provides a great viewing opportunity and most nights is ample enough to spread out a little instead of being packed in like sardines.
- Appearance of the cars shows the pride of the teams.
- Drivers represent a line of continuing generations following in their forefathers tire tracks.
- The curfew allows me to get back home at a decent hour.
- There are several touring series that come in to add to the excitement.
- Association with CRA seems to have really helped a lot.
Things that could be improved:
- Fair warning - I am a semi-professional singer and I complain often about national anthem singers making their performance "their own". It is not yours to make your own. It is ours. Stop embellishing and sing it straight. Some of you still need to learn diction and avoidance of dipthongs and caterwauling.
- The scoreboard/leader board is useless. During the day, you cannot even see the lights indicating running order. At night, so many lamps are burned out you cannot make out the car number.
- Track side announcers are terrible. You cannot understand anything they say. This could be attributable to acoustics, but the two I heard had such thick drawls and lack of diction, it sounded like two dogs growling.
- Bathrooms could be cleaner and tended to more often by porters during the race.
- I also agree with other reviews that on big events, concessions are sorely lacking. They do not have enough to feed the masses and cannot resurrect the miracle of the fishes and loaves. Even when there is enough food, lines for food are so long it is not worth it. Pack in your own.
Yes, even with all my griping, it is still a premiere with a great future. I enjoy coming here and if you can overlook my complaints, you will have a great time. read more