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

I thought we were gonna leave politics out of HH?

But since you started, "CRT" isn't OUR problem. Racism is. The term "Critical Race Theory" is just another label some academic made up to advance his/her career. It should just be called telling the truth about American History

the only data i can think of is tv ratings...and they've been terrible for nascar.  the saturday pocono race got the lowest ratings of any race since 2000.  sunday wasn't much better.  there are lots of things at play...like putting the race on nbcsn instead of nbc, late start times, two races in one weekend, etc. 

attendance at least in the infield was excellent at pocono and again at road america...which i think is a sign of people just wanting to go places and not watch nascar or anything else on tv while stuck at home.  we had a great time camping at pocono.  ratings for sports in general have been down.  

As I said in my original post, I was wondering about interest in dirt racing. Not NASCAR. IMHO they continue to alienate their long time fan base and the ratings reflect that. I wish there were some way to get information regarding event buys on pay per view sprint car events via DirtVision, FloRacing, LucasRacing etc. That's where I think the upswing would be evident. 

I would tend to think the same way except that I remember Larson not even making it on his qualifying night one year.   Was that 2019?    Seems like noone could pass anyone that night because of track conditions.    The main thing is I can't wait to find out...

I am a Larson fan and want him to win every race he is in.  I know I might be thrown under the bus, but Kyle has a wife and child that he probably should spend more time with .  I am just saying cut back a little on raceing and spend a little more time at hom.

CRT isn't our problem, nor is politics, Assholes are our problem. No matter where the stand on anything.

It was 2019, I was there. They didn't show up for Saturday. I watched them in the pits quite a bit via binoculars. The team just didn't seem to be doing much on the car after qualifying and the heat race. Gave me the impression they just weren't too motivated that year. IMO.

Huh?  Are you questioning his family values?  That's ridiculous.  Let him make those decisions.  

Huh?  Are you questioning his family values?  That's ridiculous.  Let him make those decisions.  

I have attended numerous dirt events at which he was racing. For him, it IS a family event. His wife is almost always there working his souvenir trailer. I always see photos of his entire family in victory lane with him. His son Owen climbing up onto the wing with him. Katelyn comes from a racing family. Maybe you weren't aware, Brad Sweet is her brother. So, I'm pretty sure he has his family values in perfect order from that aspect. You're dead wrong with that opinion linbob

This is an interesting place, that's for sure.  Gramps fought in the trenches of WWI, dad helped liberate France in WWII and I am a Nam era flight deck veteran.  Apparently I am not a "real American" but no surprise there.  They're always telling me that I'm not a "real Sprint Car fan" on here as well.  Done a bunch of race chasing but I have no idea what it would take to make those lists and be considered the real deal.  

Stan Meissner

Larson, Stewart and Kahn's  has helped ticket sales in the stands.  I think Nascar is part of the push behind this to draw more people back to Nascar.  Look at Knoxville with SRX and Trucks. They are promoting themselves to the dirt fans, to get them back at the nascar tacks.  I personally feel they have over inflated the cost of racing with their unlimited bank accounts.  You think there's a lot of people in the stands now,  wait till the price of racing gets so far out of hand that the only 410 teams you see on the track are the teams owned by NASCAR drivers.  Why do you think 410 car count is so low.  In ten years The only people you will see in the  Grandstands are sheep wearing Schatz, Larson, Sweet, Haud, Madsen, and McFadden shirts.   Blue collar racing is a thing of the past because of your Nascar Stars.  I personally could care a less  if any big money team shows up to a sprint car race.  

Correct, the family dynamic that they have is a bit different for both Kyle & Katelyn vs that of the rest of the world. While most go to work, come home, then spend time with their family that evening or weekends, the Larson's bring their kids to "work" with them. "Work" because it's something they both enjoy it, grew up in it, and probably feel more at home at a different track each night, versus in their own home. Plus Owen always has a smile on his face every time we see him at the track. 

I know you didn't mention Nascar but I personally think he has made more of an impact in bringing some fans back to Nascar. I have watched more of the races vs keeping it on for background noise. I think some of the dirt fans are watching Nascar more because of him, not because of Nascar.

It would probably be more evident of his impact if they can measure the number of views of a race he competes in vs one he doesn't. The buy rates might be skewed due to the subscriptions that become better & better each year which is another reason why I think dirt fandom is growing. How the sanctioning bodies promote, highlight, and showcase their product through social media, YouTube, and streaming is leaps and bounds better than it was about 7-8yrs ago. And they keep getting better

I agree 100%. Racing is in their blood. I know Owen started racing outlaw karts within the past year at Millbridge and other tracks. I have seen photos with he and Kyle around the karts. The kid is loving life and wanting to follow in his fathers footsteps! BIG SHOES to fill little buddy! How many photos have you seen of Katelyn doing her famous beer shotgun in victory lane? Everytime he wins a race, that entire family celebrates! Can't wait to watch him at Knoxville.......maybe this is the year he adds that elusive trophy to his mantle! 

In the interest of full disclosure I didn't read this entire thread so someone else may have brought this up.

I definitely wouldn't underestimate the Larson effect for sure. He is nothing but good for dirt racing, and really just racing in general. That said also don't underestimate the power of live streaming races. I really think this has a major impact on especially the national touring series races. Much like NASCAR when people can follow every race live they are excited and motivated to get to the track to see them in person when they are nearby. Since these tend to be the races you seen on PPV that could possibly explain some of the increase as well.

So with his renewed financial income do you think he will put together another WoO team as an owner for a full time ride?

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

If he does that then I'm all in favor of his NASCAR success.

I don't see that happening until he retires from NASCAR and can drive for himself. He had minimal success with Stewart and Macedo. I can't see him throwing money at it again...unless Owen starts driving for him. Whcih would be a few years away!

I would have to agree we won't see it for a while-----possibly until he retires.  Also worth noting, he did not sign a huge contract with Hendrick. He kinda took what was offered if I read it correctly.  Some reports were $5 or $6 million per year?   By the time you get done with taxes, etc., you're at half of that.  If he wants to chuck money at an Outlaw team, fine.  But I don't see it happening----doesn't make financial sense.