With all of this talk about the economy, job losses, etc. Many are starting to wonder if the local tracks are going to take a big hit this season. I am trying to look at things at a glass half full mentality.

First, the local tracks have a variety of divisions that can fit into someone’s budget to race. Higher end divisions may see a decline, but lower divisions should alright.

Second, if there was a time to get creative with a marketing program, now is the time to do that. Any money is good money to take. If someone offers you a small amount each week you want to run, you have plenty of advertising space on your car.

Third, just because NASCAR teams are seeing some financial issues, don’t assume its going to happen on the lower level. Like I have said before, some sponsors may not afford the money that many NASCAR teams need to compete so they may be looking at spending less money on the local and regional level so they can still reach to their target market.

Last week, I was watching the news and they were talking about Las Vegas was seeing a slow down of tourists because of this economy. Which for many of us this is not a surprise. But, they ended the story by commenting that the casino industry as a whole is not too concerned because they feel that gamblers, instead of going to Vegas, will go to their local or regional casinos.

When I heard the newsperson say that, I literally jumped out of my chair and said, “I said that over a month ago in regards to the racing industry!!!” (Check my past columns to verify.)

I try to live my life with a positive attitude, yet at the same time stay realistic. Yes, some are going to hurt and not be able to race in the division or series they want to unless they get that sponsorship or just financial support. Some of gotten lucky and have been able to make it through.

What it comes down to for this year is simple; we all need to support each other.

We need to keep the negative attitudes at home. There is a difference between being negative and being realistic. Being negative are the ones who just have nothing positive to say and never look for that silver lining. They just want to start digging a hole and keep digging. This sport doesn’t need that.

This sport also doesn’t need people who just like to complain about everything on the face of this earth. You know who I am talking about, the ones who think the track doesn’t pay enough to the drivers yet there are barely 500 fans in the stands. I bet every track owner would love to sit down with those people and show them their accounting books and say, “Do you see me making a good profit here?”

Instead, we should be doing what we can to get those fans to see us race. The entertainment dollar is going to be limited this year and we have a great opportunity to prove why they should spend that dollar in racing.

Most tracks charge anywhere from $10-12 for an adult admission. For that price, we are going to provide you with 2-3 hours, or maybe more of fun racing action. We are going to have three or four divisions come out and race, so you will see a variety of racing. We will have a track announcer who will entertain you and we will also provide some of the best concession food around. All we ask is that you have fun and come back to see us again and again.

Now, is that something that is easy to sell? No matter if you are a fan, a driver, a pit crew member or a track employee, that is an easy sell.

Oh I know…we will get the racing looks boring, I have seen it on television. Yeah, it is boring on television at times. But, I will say this, when I have brought someone to the track, their opinion is different at the end of the night.