Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

...and S/SS is a small niche within it.
Mike A114

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

One of the problem I see as far as the younger generation is the high cost of buying the current fast cars. Hellcats, GT 500s and Copos. They could buy the lower HP cars but by the time they buy the add ons they would have the same money just buying the fast ones straight out. What kid has $80,000 laying around? The rice burners are their only option unless dad is already in the sport with an extra car. Very expensive today if starting from scratch, just think how much you got in your car right now (whatever the year) not including the extras. Defiantly not like back in the day of $2900 RR , $3100 Z28s or 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs. Most all of us kids could afford one of those making $100 a week.
Mike

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

Now that right there is just B.S.. If a kid wants to race, he's going to race and there's plenty of reasons why that kid shouldn't/wouldn't want to race. But many tracks have very good "Friday Night" programs that DO attract the kids and can get them started in the right direction.

Ya know, another thing that needs to be done that I never see anybody on here talking about is personally mentoring a kid or 10. I had a kid in my shop just last night who I've got to get to the track next year. He needs help with his 08 4.6 Mustang that he put a Pro Charger on and now, he can't get it to "hook". He knows the programming end backward and forward but he needs help with the suspension stuff.
P.S. I told him that I know a guy that races a 08 CJ Stocker and has gone some low 8s with "Stock" suspension. I think that this Yo Ken guy is his new hero!

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

Great story Billy. Kenny should be a hero for all of us for obvious reasons!

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

Coleydog, my man Billy is right there are still young kids out there that are meatheads in their own right. I go to test occasionally at Jacksonville on Friday night street wars, Ofcourse Jville has Camp Lejuene military base and there are young military guys from all over the country with alot of the new cars and they are flying! Most of the time they all seem interested in my car and I always take time to explain what we do. I have invited them to come along to a race on occasion but none have took me up on it yet.

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

"Now that right there is just B.S.. If a kid wants to race, he's going to race and there's plenty of reasons why that kid shouldn't/wouldn't want to race. But many tracks have very good "Friday Night" programs that DO attract the kids and can get them started in the right direction."

Nice opinion, how many kids want to race moms minivan, just to race?
It takes money today, what they don't have. Joe blow kid doesn't walk into the Friday nite drags, they come with friends or dad-moms who have real race cars. The vast majority have ricers (I hate them) daily driver (gas millage) add a tach, muffler and slam em on the ground, instant race car, and these are the one in a thousand kids that even like cars. When the last of the baby boomers die off, its over.

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

If a kid wants to race yes, he will race Mom's minivan. And when he beats his bud's Mustang or Charger he'll be hooked.
Yes, "Joe Blow kids" just walk into the Friday Nite Drags all the time because they're always looking for something to do and maybe they heard their buds talking about going and went to see what it's all about.
So YOU hate "ricers", so what? That's what's out there and that's what's cheap! They've got to start somewhere! The first trip down a Drag Strip for me (in the 60s) was on a Thursday night at Island in a friends 21 second VW. I think that I turned out alright (somewhat)!
Maybe you should go to the "Friday Nite Drags" sometime and see what's really going on. Maybe show a little interest in a kid (that's not yours) and offer him a little advice and help.

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

Oh, this is great news....another Michael Beard in the making....just what we need....
LOL...

This is a joke, Michael is a friend of mine...he was mentored by Billy ages ago...and we all know how he turned out.....

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

Mentoring the youth that come to the races is the best thing we can do.

When I raced, if a younger person (boy or girl) had questions about my car or racing in general I would give the best answer possible. Whether it's helping another racer dial his or her car properly, or giving tuning advice, all help should be given. That's how I learned years ago.

Re: Why is NASCAR Dying ? Video !
 

M.J., as much as I would like to take credit for/deny even knowing Michael, it was his Dad, Stephen, who taught Michael the ropes. And he did a much better job than I ever could have.