Does the Presence of NASCAR Drivers Help or Hurt Short Track Events?

[chupp n bloomer fan]

so what they should get a participation trophy?? they pay the same fee to enter a race have to prepare a car the same and are running the same race.. so someone with X amount + in a bank account shouldn't be paid what they won?? this is why everyone wants something for nothing... go out and earn the purse

Didn’t read that anywhere on here, settle down Francis. Just stating treat them like everyone else, don’t ki$$ their a$$ and give them show up money.

[Hoosier]

Dixie had an autograph session with Smoke, Bill Elliott, and another two drivers. They were helicoptered to the track, signed for the 150+ fans who showed up early (and paid a high fee for signatures). The drivers left before any racing was on the track. It was amazing how many wanted autographs and how much they were willing to pay. The $$$ went to a charity.

[dirt junkie]

I can say without Stewart Schrader Kenny Wallace and Carl Edwards coming and racing at Paducah, I may have never caught on to SLM racing.

From 1998-2005 I would go to 4-5 Cup races a year, throughout the southeast. Went to tracks from Daytona up to Bristol and all of them in between. Never missed a race on TV, I was a diehard NASCAR fan.

In 2005 I caught wind of all them guys I previously mentioned coming to Paducah to race on a Wednesday night. Thought hell yeah Paducah is only 2 hours from home, although I didn't even know there was a racetrack there, I'll knock off work a little early and go check that out!

I proceeded to watch a 30 lap feature where Stewart started in the rear and put on a show racing to the front. Some dude from Illinois named Brian Shirley won the race lol. That night, little did I know that the squirrel would become one of my favorite guys to pull for.

With all that being said, I can answer the OP's original question. Without them NASCAR guys I would've never known what I was missing. Haven't been to a cup race since 2006 and don't imagine I'll ever go back. Go to 4-5 SLM shows a year now and it's the only sport I religiously follow!

[LMNED10]

Ok this post may not be good with a lot of people but I was at the Snowball Derby last weekend at Five Flags Speedway and first of all Kyle Busch and his money has nothing to do with racing in the event. First of all he had two other cars entered in the race one driven by Noah Gragson the other by Cole Rouse both very capable drivers in super late model asphalt racing and both are KBM developmental drivers. Say what you will Kyle Busch puts back into short track racing, he found Eric Jones at the Snowball Derby as he beat him and yes I was at that race too, now Jones is with Joe Gibbs Racing,and yes Kyle has put many of these drivers in his trucks to race so I think he his really investing back into short track racing. Yes he makes a lot of money and does have great equipment but he had to play by there rules and he won. He did not dominate, he led 17 laps saved his tires and made his move the the end. Jeff Choquette and Bubba Pollard dominated the race but on the front stretch after the race Choquette was proud of his team as they finished second to Busch and Pollard said that Busch made them look dumb as he took them to school on how to manage a long distance race. As for KBM/Cup money and resources that many don't have, the same argument can be made in dirt racing with Bowyer/Labonte/and now Mark Martin all these guys are well entrenched in the NASCAR money so I see no difference

[dirtcrazy4u]

What does it matter ? These guys have such a long season and rarely do they have time to climb in a late model. Kyle has raced over the off season before. He is one of the few. Larson isn't going to show unless it's a dirt track. Bell, he is a wheelman, but, few if any really care about if he shows to run a late model. Kyle is a racer. I don't know how many races he runs a year but I really doubt anyone comes close.

[CIRF]

What does it matter ? These guys have such a long season and rarely do they have time to climb in a late model. Kyle has raced over the off season before. He is one of the few. Larson isn't going to show unless it's a dirt track. Bell, he is a wheelman, but, few if any really care about if he shows to run a late model. Kyle is a racer. I don't know how many races he runs a year but I really doubt anyone comes close.

You're right, Kyle Larson is a racer, and probably does run more outside of NASCAR than any other NASCAR driver.

It will never happen but it's a safe assumption that Bell would cause a bit of a stir if he were to jump into a late model somewhere. I know I'd be there!!

Didn't Bell win both nights of the Snowball Derby only to have the win's taken away over a technicality?

[DoubleZero]

It can move the needle........Kyle Larson found himself in a bit of hot-water with NASCAR earlier this season as he exclaimed that his personal souvenir sales, at the dirt tracks, had exceeded those same sales under NASCAR control.

[jog49]

Attended an event a few years ago that was to be Jeremy Mayfield's coming out party in dirt racing after his NASCAR career had ended. I feel sure there were more than a few first timers there just to view what he could do on dirt but, unfortunately, the field spanked him badly and the feature winner (Casey Roberts) had lapped Mayfield in the first 5 laps and went on to do it two or three more times. Mayfield went home with his tail between his legs and those that came to see his performance, likely, never came back. But yes, NASCAR people make a draw even if it's just idle curiosity.

[WisWildManFan]

Watched Trevor bayne make a fool of Himself a few years back running with lucas boys at the gap during Bristol weekend. Kyle busch will out drive and out spend any late model team... Almost as hard to beat as bloomer

[CIRF]

There are many who would love to see Busch grow a set and come to Tulsa and try his luck at The Chili Bowl. It'd be highly entertaining to see what happens when he feeds a dirty wheel or two to Sammy or T-Mez. Unlike at the Snowball Derby, where he's a big fish in a small pond, he'd be just another weird looking clown that couldn't get out of the G-main.

[WisWildManFan]

Should change ur name from surf to ski cuz I honestly think u would beat off christopher bell and Kyle Larson simultaneously... Seriously we get it ur a midget muncher.

[CIRF]

There ya' go gettin' all butthurt over nothin' again, and those clever and snappy comebacks are both innovative and hysterical.