[Mike Pearson]

My take is the track owners which are supposed to be the promoter have gotten lazy over the years and they figure they can make a living off of just a meager amount of spectators and the gate fees that the racers pay to play. Most tracks have gone to the test and tune format and don't actually have racing for purse money on a regular basis. the test and tune guys pay to get in the gate to make a few runs then load up and go home. the track does not pay any purse money. The younger generation seem to like to go to the track and run their cars up and down the track but not actually race. Most like power adders. They just want to see how fast they can run but don't actually compete.

Most of us Sportsman racers do not race for the lure of winning money. We race for the competition aspect and the money is a bonus if we happen to have a good day and win or make it to the late rounds. I have never won enough money to pay for racing. I do it because I enjoy it. It is nice to wing some cash once in a while to help offset the cost. With better promotion by the sanctioning body and the track owners everyone could make out better. Purse money has not changed in years and contingency money is all but gone.