Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Is it just my imagination or has Kyle Larson provided renewed and expanded interest in dirt track racing? I would be curious to hear attendance numbers from the latter part of last year when tracks were able to operate at normal capacity. From watching races on MAVTV or DIRTVISION, it certainly appears that there were more people in the stands than I've seen in a number of years. The few races I have been able to attend in person had capacity crowds. It would also be great to know what the "buys" look like for online streaming. Just throwing it out there for discussion.....

Kyle is the best thing to happen to sprint car and late model racing as well as NASCAR in a long time. He has generated huge crossover interest in all three. Just for me personally, I ocassionally watched part of a LM race and had some name recognition. But over the last year I've watched several races on Flo and have learned a lot more about the drivers. I've also watched a lot more Cup races this year then I did last year when he was not there. I know I'm not the only one doing so. All three forms of racing have benefitted greatly from him participating and owe him a great deal of gratitude. 

I have been a Yung Money fan for years. There's nothing like watching what he can do with a sprint car. I know his return to NASCAR with a Tier 1 team has given me a reason to watch on Sundays. It was so painful to watch him struggle in CGR's sub-standard program. I cannot begin to count the number of times I saw his pit crew lose him multiple positions. My years of screaming at the TV are behind me now! HMS was a dream landing spot. I am glad they are allowing him to continue to frequent dirt tracks. 

I haven't followed NASCAR in years, didn't Larson get in hot water and get fired for a racist thing said, sorry to bring up that crap, but seems ironic he's so popular now.

You know exactly what happened to him. Why pretend it is new news. Obviously dirt track fans have given him a second chance and we have been rewarded with his once in a lifetime excellence behind the wheel as a driver, whether it is a Sprint Car, Midget, Dirt Late Model or Cup car. 

Absolutely----I don't think anyone can deny it.  

It doesn't hurt, that's for sure, although the upswing in popularity started well before 2020. 

Just a thought but maybe he is popular and not being crucified by real Americans because what he said wasnt racist according to real people. Corporate America and the media dont buy tickets at racetracks and tried to make more of something than it needed to be.

The real world isnt looking down on him.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!

Rodin Canada you're probably right..

I feel over the past decade Sprint car racing in general has had an increased presence with fan attendance continuing to rise each year. It seems like 4-5 straight Kings Royals it was announced there was an attendance record. Even All Star races and regular Outlaw shows that I have been too seem to get more crowded each year, and even more so with Larson racing in them.

I would say anytime you have a Nascar driver that is known race regularly it will bring in newer fans. I think it was noticable when Tony & Kasey would race a decade ago as well. Back then and when Larson started I think the Nascar people were like why would you race a Sprint car when you are in Nascar but he has stayed true to himself saying this is his passion. I think Larson has for sure gotten more people to come to races with his name but, it's a collective of him, Sweet, Gravel, Schuchart, Macedo, Rico, Haus, Schatz, All Star drivers, and the show they put on the track that gets those people to come back

There is no doubt Larson brings Nascar fans to dirt and dirt fans to Nascar much like Tony and Kasey did as you pointed out.  

I looked at Larson's incident last year as stupidity more than racism, and I think many people did.   Still not interested in watching a single lap of any NASCAR series whether Larson's in there and winning or not.   If his NASCAR success is making sprint car racing more popular, then I can't argue against it being a good thing.   

I understand what took place. Corp. America didn't want to have anything to do with KL. I wonder if that will be the same next season ? I seriously doubt it,  Hendricks stable is backed by companies that he has a hand in. I see a major sponsor jumping on board with the 5 car next year.

I would like to see the data behind your assertions. 

Within hearing distance of Tri City Speedway

I would agree with him.  The data?  Observations and common sense.  I know a lot of people with renewed interest in Nascar because of Kyle.  I also know quite a few Nascar fans who now have an interest in dirt because of Kyle's media exposure.  We've also read a lot of similar experiences from others posting right here on this site.  Would stand to reason that if I am noting this in my little corner of the world in a town of 2000 people, and others on this site, and other social media sites are noting the same, we could assume pretty confidently that this would be happening everywhere...............? 

Why would hard data be needed? 

I have been watching Sprints, Late Models (they literally were Stock Cars in 1960) and the Indy 500 since they first stated to televise races.  I'm not sure how old Kyles father is but I'd venture a guess that at 69 I'm probably older than him as well seeing as Kyle is I. His 20's and my oldest are way beyond that.  

It would be a stretch to attribute my interest in Dirt Late models to Kyle Larson or any other current driver.  Perhaps Kyle generated some renewed interest but I wouldnt attribute the record crowd for school bus night at our local track on Kyle, maybe Mark Kinser but not Kyle (old joke, you had to be here 15 years ago to get it).  

I think a good part of the attendance increase is just people wanting to get out and do things.  Up here in Minnesota traffic to the lakes on Fridays has been heavier than usual.  I don't think Kyle has anything to do with that unless he's fishing a walleye tournament up north or something.  Kyle is fun to watch but he is not responsible for every positive thing happening in racing.  LOL

Stan Meissner

you are quite the person, fuck what he said! CRT is are problem,  but back to racing.Larson, Sweet and TSR cars are going to be the biggest problem at the Nationals this year! imo 

Where's my beer or scotch on the rocks? God-damn it! 40 
plus years of dirt track racing in these old veins might 
get me condemned by the EPA.

I read an interview with Rick Hendrick a couple of weeks back. He stated that there have been "numerous inquiries for major sponsorship, but none of them were enough money". 

What do you mean by "real Americans"????

I think what he said was stupid, he paid his price & I love to watch him race

Don't start dissing people who oppose racism, please (I don't think Kyle is a bigot, tho, just dumb choice of words)

Kerry Madsen if he keeps going like he has been in the TSR #14