Wvms

[KTMLew]

Here's the thing that I've always told people. "It's not a track problem, it's a late model problem."

In the late 90s, early 00's, teams raced there. The DTWC drew 139 and 140 supers on back-to-back years. Racefest drew 86 cars running against the DTWC one year. What does that tell you? It was just as hard on equipment then. So what's changed? The cost to operate a super late model, the cost to operate a dirt modified. If the costs hadn't skyrocketed, drivers wouldn't be so reluctant to race there.

No, it doesn't race great, like most large tracks. It's big, and fast, but I was slightly impressed by how well it raced Saturday night of this season's Historic 100. Satterlee and Alberson made some good passes among others.

It's a shame that the future of WVMS doesn't look bright, the facility itself is amazing, and the sport is rich with big moments at that venue. I remember being a kid and watching Bloomer punt Freddy Smith and the crowd going bonkers. Bart Hartman dominated races there often lapping up until 3rd or 4th place. The 2010 Hillbilly 100 was the biggest crowd I've ever seen there, there had to have been 15,000 people, Bloomer won that night.

Let's act like money isn't a problem for a moment, build a 1/4 mile race track that resembles FALS or Davenport Iowa's new speedway. Davenport is actually a great model WVMS could try to copy. The current business model of running 10,000 to win events isn't going to work on the big track, make the track in the middle since there's plenty room and run 4-5 races a year, maybe even race 1 night on the big track.

I'll catch flack for this, but I also wouldn't mind seeing it paved. Pave the big track and build the dirt track in the middle. Obviously, both would take time and money, but seeing as how Cody and crew have already poured everything into the venue itself, let's keep it running by doing one of the options above.

Just fill it with water and add Bass.

[BirkyTime15B]

Davenport Speedway is a perfect example. In between at 1/4 and 3/8 is the sweet spot for late models. Miss the speed of the big track, but racing and car counts tell the story. More cars and better racing on the smaller track. Which isn’t new, it’s been there for a long, long time.

[Pennsboro32]

Just fill it with water and add Bass.

I also wouldn't be mad at that.

[bleedblue55]

They had a country music festival planned for last year that got cancelled so they rescheduled it a couple weeks ago. I always thought they pulled the plug last year because of low presale. From the pictures I saw they took a major money hit on it. They even mention devastating low attendance for the concert in their release. For all the experts that have never been there, the 2 closest tracks are Ohio Valley and Tyler County which are both promoted by the same Watson family.

[KTMLew]

They had a country music festival planned for last year that got cancelled so they rescheduled it a couple weeks ago. I always thought they pulled the plug last year because of low presale. From the pictures I saw they took a major money hit on it. They even mention devastating low attendance for the concert in their release. For all the experts that have never been there, the 2 closest tracks are Ohio Valley and Tyler County which are both promoted by the same Watson family.

My guess is walling your car at either of those tracks doesn't require a new chassis. You break something and drill the wall at 120+, car is junk. Clipping ain't gonna make it right.

[KTMLew]

COVID put a hurt on a lot of business. And that track, just like all others, is a business.

[TerryM]

I’m no expert, but back in the early 90’s I lived about 15 minutes from WVMS. I’d been to a bunch of races there and in that area (Pennsboro) before moving there, and several more after I moved back to KY. The only problem I’ve ever seen with WVMS is the track. I love the facility. There’s tons of DLM fans around there. The problem is the track. How can they not figure this out?

And for the person who’s blaming Covid?? Did you fall off the planet two years ago and just find your way back today?

[KTMLew]

You are saying COVID had no affect on "business" in 2021? Like a concert?

[Hoosier_Dirt]

I got blasted for saying it was too big when they restarted it. I agree...do like Davenport Ia, build a smaller track inside the big one.

[KTMLew]

I got blasted for saying it was too big when they restarted it. I agree...do like Davenport Ia, build a smaller track inside the big one.

I loved Pennsboro. Big but fairly flat so speed was down. Narrow and oddly shaped.

[TerryM]

We started going back to races, ballgames, concerts, etc., in early 2021. I’m talking big time races, big time concerts and big time ballgames. Huge SRO crowds every time. Maybe Covid is still a thing in the WVMS area? I mean it’s getting close to 2023. Are we blaming Covid for WVMS closing again?

[Highside Hustler25]

I remember going to the Springfield mile for years. Then they stopped. To fast.
Then WVMS's 5/8 was the next in line. To fast.
Now the 1/2 miles seem to be following the same path.

[BTExpress]

Went to a sprint car race last year at WVMS. A beautiful facility. Growing up my favorite track was Bridgeport Speedway, NJ. A big 5/8ths track for Northeast modifieds. Two years ago Bridgeport redid their track to a 4/10ths configuration modeled after Lawrenceburg Speedway. I thought they were making a big mistake, boy was I ever wrong. The new track is the perfect size for modifieds, sprint cars and even DLM's. Sadly I think WVMS needs to downsize as everyone else has suggested. Hope the track doesn't sit idle again.

[KTMLew]

Saying possibility some people stayed away from concerts because globe was in middle of a pandemic. But you've made it clear you don't believe a case of COVID is anything to be concerned about. I lost 6 family members that felt same as you. All in WV. Church, restaurants, bingo every Friday night.

Guess they weren't tough enough.

But you do you.

[TerryM]

You have no idea how I feel about Covid. I feel for you. My wife is an RN. We lost numerous people close to us. Believe me, we understand. But this is about WVMS closing down again and I just don’t believe it has anything to do with Covid. Please stop making this about Covid. It isn’t.