Ramblings and Such - By: Chris Nunn

Posted Jody Shannon on November 14th, 2007 | Filed under Articles, Chris Nunn, Commentary, The DRC

To start off with, I am no promoter, nor do I ever want to be. But If I were, wouldn’t the idea of making money sound like a good one? If I noticed that I was losing money, drastic changes to the program would definitely be made.

This is the situation currently being faced by Brownstown Speedway promoter Tim Keithley. The current Super Late Model class has dropped to an average of 23 or 24 cars a week. And with crowd sizes down, mixed with the rising cost of gas (predicted to be in the high $3 by the end of next summer) rumors have been swirling about Brownstown Speedway running a limited schedule of Super Late Models. Granted that all of the major Late Model races at Brownstown will still be ran as normal, its hard telling how many more Late Model shows will be ran if the rumor comes true. It is all about simple math. 24 Late Models with a purse pushing almost $3,500 is a high risk considering the crowd sizes at the track. I know what you’re thinking, “Why don’t you advertise more to entice more fans?” You cant hold a gun to the fans head and make them come. You can get the word out, but thats about all you can do. Giving out free passes isn’t going to help the financial situation any, unless they bring about 10 people with them when they come.

If Late Models run on a semi regular basis, here is what I think will happen at Brownstown. UMP Modifieds and Super Stocks on a weekly basis is a possibility. $700 or $800 to win with a purse pushing $2,200 with an average car count of almost 40. 40 drivers alone paying to get in at the pit gate at the current pit price brings in almost $1,000. Then you add the crew members and family and friends that come into the pits, you almost have your purse paid off. Add in the Bombers that pay $300 to win, at least thats what they paid last year. With an average car count of 35 or so, and you have a less of a financial risk on your hands. Possibly a fourth class could be ran, but that is up in the air at this point.

The main problem I have are the fans that just dont comprehend the idea of losing money. Fans that sit on their computers and ramble on about “How Brownstown will never prosper without Late Models on a weekly basis.” Trust me, Ive seen the numbers…its quite the opposite. How can Brownstown prosper WITH Late Models on a weekly basis? Dont say cut the purse, thats not even an option. Might as well run Crates if you are going to do that, and I would rather watch paint dry. Dont say that UMP Modifieds and Super Stocks fail to bring in a crowd. The crowds without Late Models on the last three nights were pretty damn good, if not better than normal. So my advice to some of the fans that want to sit behind the computer and bash away at a promoter trying to get a good financial situation going, is to buy your own track, run it for a couple of years, and see where you end up. Its not as easy as it looks.

Dont construe this as the final plan as to what Brownstown will be doing in 2008, I have no clue, and it is still a big rumor. And no, hell did not freeze over when the Jackson 100 date was moved to Mid-September. Lets pray for a pass or two in the feature event, one pass will be a drastic improvement over the Amtrak Special we all witnessed last August.

These views and opinions are mine and mine only, if you agree with them more power to you, If not, feel free to comment or complain.

Chris Nunn
transitionaddress@hotmail.com

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