Dale Earnhardt Jr

[Stefan2k4]

meaning quite a bit bigger than Knoxville.

An eighth of a mile is not exactly what I would consider "quite a bit bigger". Yes, it would be a little bit bigger than any of the other current dirt tracks out there now, but that's the idea. What I would envision would be a special venue. You'd want to be unique. You'd want to be different than the norm. That's how you create something special. That's how you set your product apart from what everyone else is offering. That's part of the problem with racing today, and why fans are losing interest, too much of the same old same old, and no one willing to think outside the box.

As for the side track discussion here about Nascar going back to places like this, forget it. There's a reason they left. As others have already pointed out, these facilities, simply couldn't support the crowds. It's not a workable scenario, but turning it into a special venue for dirt late models and modifieds might be. With a seating capacity of ~40k, you could have big special events.

[SLIPPING SIDEWAYS]

They couldn't support what the media requires either without major upgrades. Just because ratings are down along with attendance doesn't mean the need for anything is any less.

[racincowboy02]

Before they shortened Cherokee it measured 5/8ths of a mile and I would totally be down to watch the late models and modifieds go wild at north Wilkesboro that would be pretty freaking sweet

[nc mudcat]

PASS ran a big $75,000 to win show there in 2011. 77 cars came, but the fans did not. If it ain't NASCAR, it probably will not be worth doing, financially.

[Josh Bayko]

An eighth of a mile is not exactly what I would consider "quite a bit bigger". Yes, it would be a little bit bigger than any of the other current dirt tracks out there now, but that's the idea. What I would envision would be a special venue. You'd want to be unique. You'd want to be different than the norm. That's how you create something special. That's how you set your product apart from what everyone else is offering. That's part of the problem with racing today, and why fans are losing interest, too much of the same old same old, and no one willing to think outside the box.

As for the side track discussion here about Nascar going back to places like this, forget it. There's a reason they left. As others have already pointed out, these facilities, simply couldn't support the crowds. It's not a workable scenario, but turning it into a special venue for dirt late models and modifieds might be. With a seating capacity of ~40k, you could have big special events.

There's a reason all the 5/8 tracks have downsized and keep downsizing. Car counts and fan interest at all of them dropped off. They require all the motor you can handle and more, and that's very expensive. And most races on tracks that big end up being very fast freight trains with massive amounts of attrition.

And the facilities at NW need massive updating/replacement, regardless of surface. We're talking millions of dollars. There is no scenario in which spending those millions turning it into a dirt track makes even a little bit of sense.

[PRCKartRacer9]

Yeah Josh I agree but nothing compares to watching Francis bounce it off the turn 4 wall at Mineral Wells

[SLIPPING SIDEWAYS]

If my math is correct. It would take $1.65 mil just to put SAFER barrier around the track. That doesn't include any other areas that may be needed also.

[ZERO25]

Dang!...….them black ford drivers are gone again! smh

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Zero

And I think he’s harmless. Was nice having him back.

[ZERO25]

Zero
And I think he’s harmless. Was nice having him back.


Yes it was! He kept this place entertaining!