Where did the loyalty go?? - By: Ma Nunn

Posted Jody Shannon on November 25th, 2007 | Filed under Articles, Ma Nunn, The DRC

When I was growing up in the racing world, there used to be something called loyalty. Fans were very loyal to there drivers, whether the driver was winning or losing the fan was in the corner of that driver. Fans were loyal to there local track, supporting it with all they had. They sit in the stands every week, regardless of what was on the track or most importantly who was on the track. The fans were loyal to dirt racing as a whole.

Dont get me wrong, their are still of few of them out there. Ones who go the extra mile and support the races that night regardless of what class or what driver is on the track. Alot of those old loyal fans are now the ones who just sit on the computer and whine about the good old days. Do they support the sport?? Nope.

Fans you might be saying by now, Hey who is this woman to tell me I am not loyal. Well loyalites now are a little different. Instead of supporting a track on a weekly basis, they support a series and support alot of different tracks. Driver loyalty now flops between who is the flavor of the month, the one winning the most. Fans are now showing loyalty through the dollars they spend at a drivers t-shirt stand.

I am one who does understand that times they are a changing. With these changing times can it be the downfall of the Weekly local race track?? I know its hard to compete againest a series that might be within 125 miles of your weekly show. Fans have became accustomed to the big dogs and the High purses. I for one have gone to these races, but I do support two weekly local tracks with my dollars.

Can it be these times of instant gratification?? Can it be the growth of the sport?? Can it be our loyalties just are not what they used to be??

Loyal race fans are out there, its just they have changed, the sport has grown got national attention. Lets face it folks, it all started back in the day in someones garage who worked 40 hours a week and raced only one the weekends. The days when racing wasnt what they done for a living, but something they did for the thrill, the excitement and that one moment in victory lane.

Call me old fashioned if you will, I have moved along with the times. My loyality will always be with my local dirt tracks to support the up and coming future of the sport. The next big dogs of tomorrow have to start somewhere.

So next time a series isnt in your area, try going to your local track and supporting them instead of sitting on the computer whining when the results of the race that is 500 miles away are going to be up. The results will be there when you get home. Alot of tracks of internet in the booths and try to update fans to what might be going on 500 miles away.

Love it or Hate it, but thats how I see it folks.

Until Next time

Felicia “Ma” Nunn

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