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I think most everyone on here knows me so I won't go into a lot of detail other than to say I'm a picture taker, writer and part time webmaster. Cedar Lake is my home track as well but I get around to a few of the other tracks of various sizes and sanctions so I get a good perspective on account of that.
Cedar Lake's school bus night has become very popular and draws a lot of young people to the track for the first time. The place is always packed and last year they even had a high school band playing up in the stands. That seems to be a great idea for the month of May but it's something tracks need to do before the graduations and the end of the school year. June would be too late for that.
Kids nights are always a good idea and promoting by displaying race cars at area businesses is another good way to promote interest.
I'm not going to be an armchair quarterback and pretend I know better than the promoters. When a track spends money on radio, television, full page newspaper ads and that sort of thing they have to see a return for their investment in the stands. I have come to realize since I've known some of the promoters personally that a return on their promoting investment isn't always what I would expect it to be. Bottom line is that dirt track racing (and all grass roots short track racing) appeals to a niche audience no matter how we present it to the masses.
I think one of the best things we can do is periodically bring new people out to the track. I did that last year with the family, some of them never go to the races unless I pick up the tab, buy the beer, fire up the grille and buy the grandkids souveneers. Obviously that can get a little expensive when I'm trying to attend enough races myself to fulfill my obligations to the publications but in the long run somebody is going to enjoy it and keep coming back.
P.S. If you bring little kids watch out for those sharp sticks!
Stan Meissner
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