Well, this week it was announced that the Camping World Truck race and Nationwide race at Lucas Oil Raceway( formerly Indianapolis Raceway Park), were going away in favor of a Nationwide race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While some fans view this as a great step up for the Nationwide Series (truck race may be moved to a different weekend at LOR), all I feel like doing is letting out a groan.

Not that I have anything against the Brickyard, it is one of the most historic tracks in ALL racing history; but another short track staple event on a couple of the big 3 NASCAR series tours seems to be going away.

I remember growing up, places like Indianapolis Raceway Park, South Boston(Va.) Speedway, Hickory Motor(N.C.) Speedway, Volusia County(Fl.) Speedway, and a host of other mostly weekly short tracks were able to bring in the old Busch Grand National Series or the Late Model Sportsman series before it; to those of us that are local, weekly short track fans.

Now because most of these places are not able to put enough butts in seats to cover the various fees associated with high end NASCAR events, these tracks that provide A LOT of the up and coming drivers for NASCAR have to do without these same series events.

I, for one; believe that it should be on NASCAR to do more for the short track (grassroots) scene then just offer sanctioning  for these tracks weekly programs. At one point in time, NASCAR sanctioned many short track based tours, that these same tracks hosted; that would bring in out of town “invaders” that followed the tour into town to race against the local hot shots.

I remember Hialeah Speedway (Fl.) back in the mid 80’s when the old ALL-PRO tour (later sanctioned by NASCAR) would come to town and these events were real barnburners. Sadly, these just don’t happen much anymore for various reasons. I think reform is in order!

So personally I say progress while inevitable, is not always for the good……

Until next week, keep the shiny side up!!

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