Could Eldora do something like this and fix relationship with local drivers and fans?

[JabberJaws83]

To be honest with all of you. Do you know why the World 100 had 200 cars a year and why the Dream had 140 a year? Its because at least 40 to 50 cars ran there every dang time there was a late model show. Also same reason why they had 150 mods for the UMP Nationals. If you make a track a specials only then you get just touring guys and the way the touring is going you might have maybe 50 drivers who tour. Also when you run USAC and mods and stocks you normally get the mods and stocks families who pay the $25 or so to get in and you have one hell of a crowd. Plus the mods and stocks pay $30 for a pit pass. Then look at the concessions and shirts and stuff.

The fact that the Dream and the World no longer draw that number of cars has zero to do with the rest of the Eldora schedule.

[bullring]

I'd much rather have a track that ran specials only, and top notch ones at that, than have a track that ran weekly and went out of business.

[dirtracer12m]

Schedule used was basically copy of 10yr ago schedule without a couple 360, mods, & stocks shows. Eldora been fading to specials only track for years even when earl had it.

Curiosity got the best of me last night. I have a ton of old Mid Americans and other racing papers that I've saved over the years so I looked for some old Eldora schedules. In 1998 Eldora had 37 race nights on the schedule. In 2004 Earls last year there were 26 race nights on the schedule. So you were pretty spot on, this consolidation and move to special events started long before the ownership change. Since that point a few more races dropped off since then to the point now where it's pretty much all specials with the exception of the season opener and the family nights. So maybe at this point what you see is what you get on the schedule going forward. Time will tell. One thing is for sure. Earl was a brilliant business man. And Tony is no dummy either. I'm going to say those guys probably knew/know what they're doing with the schedule.

Also on a somewhat related note about this just being a different era compared to back then I will share this. I went to the Four Crown last weekend at Eldora. Was a really nice weather night so tried to get my neighbor to go out there with me but he didn't want to miss the Ohio State game which was being played at the same time. How many more sporting events are held in prime time on national TV now vs back then? The exponential amount of entertainment options these days can't be ignored when having discussions like this.

[Kromulous]

Eldora is a gold mine.

Even back in the old days, ive heard stories from guys that we're there helping Earl.

Weekly shows, or even Regional Shows that pay 10k or so would diminish the luster of the place now days.

Let it be.

If T. Stewart were inclined, build another track close, and run it weekly, something smaller and less of an effort to operate on a weekly basis.

[mcarter815]

The specials only model has worked for some tracks here in Iowa. Tipton couldn't get enough cars to maintain a weekly program but now that they are running a few specials a year they pack them in. The same is true for West Liberty. You always want a few weekly tracks in any area, but too many weekly tracks reduce the car counts. A few weekly tracks with the rest being specials only is the ideal situation in today's world.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

The specials only model has worked for some tracks here in Iowa. Tipton couldn't get enough cars to maintain a weekly program but now that they are running a few specials a year they pack them in. The same is true for West Liberty. You always want a few weekly tracks in any area, but too many weekly tracks reduce the car counts. A few weekly tracks with the rest being specials only is the ideal situation in today's world.

Yeah. If you can be a big track and only run high profit specials while the little tracks scrape by and keep the sport alive, it's a big win for you.

[Snowmanracr21]

Knoxville does it and Eldora could too. The main reason for Roger and Tony cutting the schedule way back and slowly becoming special events only is money. The place has become very very expensive to operate. Its a loss on any race besides the big 4 and possibly the 4 crown also. Roger is there to make Tony money. That being said they make enough money from the Kings Royal and World 100 to cover the losses of the smaller races. I know quite a few of the Eldora regulars and have friends that race there and I do feel for them. Its funny how the people who don't go there or go once or twice a season to the major events have so much to say though.

[play4kps]

Snowman that is the smartest post I have rad on this forum!

[hucktyson]

You are asking them to take their FOR PROFIT business with my guess 10-15mil of assets and make it a non profit to suit a couple people on 4m ???? Your telling a steak house to give away free regular filets because they make enough off selling Kobe ... It’s pure nonsense that’s not how America works and god help us if that’s ever how America works. Make Tony an offer he can’t refuse and run a weekly cadet show if you think that’s the way to go ...

[TerryM]

What a stupid thread. And of course the biggest Eldora hater on this site was the first to agree with the OP lol. This is ridiculous.

[Dlmfan123]

Snowman that is the smartest post I have rad on this forum!

So they should just be ok with loosing money on events?

[TerryM]

This is like saying Diane Lane’s elbows are too pointy.

[play4kps]

That's crazy talk Eldora does not lose money when it opens for normal events. For the Baltes classic There was easily 4500 people there at 20 bucks a head that's 90 grand collected. The purse at the most was $30000. Are you telling me Eldora costs $60000 to open up for a show if it does it's time to close the doors

[mcarter815]

Is the Baltes Classic a normal weekly show?

[hucktyson]

Are you the accountant for Eldora ??? There’s no way they make any money off that event