Something to Think About

"Something to Think About...."

Putting Competition Back into Qualifying

...Is it time to try something new?

Always an important part of the show, heat races often had the competitive feel of "mini-features," where driver's ran hard, lap after lap, to earn a qualified position.
Paul Irving provided photo used to create image above - (East Windsor Speedway - mid to late 70's)

History:

For years, short track facilities followed a heat/consolation/feature format. This was born out of necessity as both modified and sportsman divisions had more cars sign in each night than they had starting positions available for each division’s feature event. It has served our sport well.

The heat/consolation/feature model worked well because each event had value, because each event had “something of significance on the line.” Every race, every position meant something and because of it, the excitement was maintained throughout the heats and consolation events. Those that qualified for the feature deserved to feel proud. Though disappointed, those that didn't would be back the following week, more determined than ever to make it into "the show."

Current:

A review of the area tracks for the past 4 weeks (July/Aug 2014) reveals that many are seeing maximum car counts between 8 and 24 for their various divisions, with a range for most of 14 – 22 for their headlining divisions. There are a few exceptions, but I think all agree that lower car counts per division for the "weekly" show is a trend that is likely to continue through the remainder of 2014 and into 2015 for quite a few tracks.

For me locally (NJ/Eastern PA), I still believe that a lot of the sport's future is directly in the hands of the few that are involved with managing the show. Local speedways as Bridgeport, Grandview, Mahoning Valley, New Egypt, Middletown and Wall all have something to offer. Some are enjoying the same level of success as they had in year's past, while others are struggling with car count and with lower spectator attendance.

Problem/Challenge:

Tracks that have seen average car counts of 25 or less still continue to follow the heat/consolation/feature model for their weekly show. The result is events that are still being billed to all in pre-race release schedule of events, and by the announcer(s) on race night as "qualifying heat races," yet they no longer have "a qualified spot for the feature" on the line, and as a result, many of the participants are not driving with the same “competitiveness” that is at the core of all sport. Rather than “racing hard” it quickly becomes apparent to those who are sitting there, who have paid to see "racing," that drivers understand that they are already guaranteed a starting spot in the feature, and for that reason are less likely to “push it.” What was once a valuable part of the show... an integral part of the "process" of determining who would get to reach the "final," now takes on the look of an organized practice session, rather than an actual “race.”

Although almost always still listed the "Schedule of Events," consolation events are rarely run. If they are run, they usually have just 1 or more car than are guaranteed to transfer. (Example 25 cars, 8 qualified in the 3 heats, leaving 7 not qualified. If one cannot make the call, then the consolation becomes unnecessary.) How many of us remember the true drama that driver's, crews, and fans all experienced when a field of cars came out for what was billed as "The Last Chance Race"... knowing that some would earn their spot for the feature, and those that didn't would have to watch it from the top of their truck, or from the stands?

As a result of tracks with low car counts still insisting on running the heats/consolation qualifying method as part of their weekly show, all events leading up to the feature events have little fan value, sometimes taking on the look of "show filler." For example, some tracks might advertises that their racing begins at 6pm but the first 90 minutes - 2 hours might consist of races that have very little value, and a very low “competition level.” In many cases once the "heats" are over, the track often chooses to go right into their intermission which is often another 30 – 45 minutes of low, or no on track fan value. Then around 8:00 - 9pm (after already being in attendance for almost 2 - 3 hours in some cases) the “actual competitive racing begins,” as the first feature takes the green. Sadly, some fans (especially those with youngsters or with a long ride home) don’t even get to see all of the features because although it may only be 10pm, they have been there for 4+ hours and in some cases "have seen enough."

Watching 2 hours of low competitive value events/intermission with the hopes of being rewarded afterward with 2 or 3 high competitive level features is not a sustainable model for today’s race fans, and certainly not a model that is going to attract new fans to the sport.

Solution: The "Top Half Advance" Qualifying Method

Since it is reasonable to expect car counts will not increase for the balance of 2014 and that it is probable that car counts will not exceed 30 per division for 2015, a new “Qualification Process” should be considered that guarantees that all events have a high competition level, and with it, will provide value to the fan throughout the entire night (6pm – 10pm.)

For any division that has less than 25 cars in a division on their weekly program, it is time to abandon the traditional heat, consolation, feature format model, and replace it with a new qualifying format called ”The Top Half Advance” method.

Overview:

The "Top Half Round Up” qualifying format is a unique way to build value into the entire show by making sure that ALL event have a high level of competition built in, where good performance is rewarded and poor performance results in elimination.

With the "Top Half Advanced" format, no one is guaranteed a place in the feature regardless of how many cars sign into a division for that day/night. Many will transfer to “the final” but there will always be some that don’t. It is 100% dependent on their performance. Competition remains core to every event run.

o Every race will have “something on the line” which will mean more “buy in” from the fans, more fan value, and a more competitive format for the racers.

o All racers will have to compete to earn a spot in the “final” which will result in actual “racing/competing” rather than “just finishing” which will appeal to the competitor in them.

o The announcer’s will not have to feign excitement for heat races that have little on the line other than a “redraw spot,” and instead will be able to play off the very real drama, engaging the crowd by explaining what is at stake - how many qualify - as each qualifying heat rolls onto the speedway. Then during the consolation and "Last Chance Scramble," they can remind the fans how many will “make it onto the feature and how many will not.

o Drivers that successfully transfer to the feature will have a sense of accomplishment.

o Drivers that do not successfully transfer to the feature will be motivated to “make the cut” the following week, or to compete in a "Last Chance Scramble" where only the winner will transfer to the feature. (Drivers not qualifying for the feature should be given the top starting spots in the heats the very next week, giving them an advantage, and a reason to want to come back.)

o Speedway Management will have the option to review the purse structure to either reward the cars that successfully qualify for the feature to help increase competition.

o The Top Half Advance format eliminates the “redraw” carrot that is both confusing to fans, and lacks true value in motivating all drivers to run hard every lap/every race.

Challenges to Implementation of the "Top Half Advance" Qualifying Method

o Some competitors and some fans may be of the opinion that you should always start all cars (up to 24 per division) in the feature. Some feel that if there are 24 cars or less, they should all start the feature because “they are there” and “that’s just how it’s always been.” While I would agree that more cars "should" make for a better feature, we all have to realize that allowing everyone to start the feature is taking the competitive element out of all events leading up to the feature, leaving fans with a very watered down show. This has never been, and should never be a sport where everyone gets a ribbon. That is not what short track racing is about.

o Drivers who currently make the feature each week by finishing near the back of the pack in the heat races may feel threatened by the new format. (This surprisingly might be balanced out by those who would be motivated to become involved in the sport because of the additional competitive aspect. All racers are important to the sport, (some of my all time favorites never won a modified feature!) but allowing everyone to start the feature just because they drove a long way, or because they are “good guys” is compromising the whole concept of “exciting, competitive qualifying events, which is destroying the first 1/2 to 2/3rd of today's show. If only 1/2 or less of the show (features) offer true competition, how much longer will spectators be expected to support today’s admission prices, since they are really only getting 1/3 to 1/2 of the show they got 5 years ago? If there are no fans in the spectator stands, how can a race team justify an R.O.I. to an existing or potential sponsor?

o Implementing a new qualifying format during the season may not be welcomed by all competitors. To counter this, if implementation is made mid-season, competitors should receive the same amount of money and same amount of points exactly as they would have for a comparable finish in the feature. Example: The last place finisher of the Last Chance Scramble would receive the same purse and same amount of points as if he had finished last in the feature (up to 24 cars if that has been the process year to date.) The 2nd to last place finisher of the Scramble would get the same points/payout as if he finished 2nd to last in the feature.

Marketing:

Those tracks implementing the “Top Half Advance” qualifying model should make it known through their press releases/web-social media communication, track handouts, print ads, etc., that fans coming to their track can expect to see a highly competitive show - from beginning to end - consisting of meaningful qualifying heat races, consolations and "Last Chance Scrambles," followed by the night's top drivers squaring off in their respective feature events:

Here are a few possible "tag lines" that could be utilized to help get the word out:

“OURTOWN Speedway – Where Every Race Matters!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – Where Every Event Matters!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – ELIMINATION EVENTS for All Classes - Followed by The Finals!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – Where Only The Fastest Make It To The Finals!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – Where Only The Fastest Make It To The Feature!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – Where Competition Matters!”
“OURTOWN Speedway – Go Fast or Go Home!”

...Remembering when the thrills witnessed from the competition in the heat races and "consi's" was often as exciting as what would follow in the evening's feature events!
Paul Irving image (Nazareth Speedway) used to create image above left & Rob Simmons image (Flemington Speedway) used to create the image above right.

Conclusion:

I've given the above "qualifying method" quite a bit of thought. I've run it by a few folks who's opinions I value and their initial response has been, "seems interesting."

I don't own a racetrack, I don't own a race team. I am not, and have never been employed by a racetrack. I am just a long time fan of the sport who knows that the show being offered by many of the local tracks will not put more fans in the stands, will not put more drivers in the pits.... and most damaging of all, will not grow the sport.

What I am "suggesting" here has a few "bumps" that will need to be worked out. It may make total sense to some, and may be scoffed at by others. Maybe the #'s need a little tweaking.... Either way, I'm fine with it, as long as it leads to a discussion, and eventually to a change to a new qualifying model that makes sense based on today's car counts (2014) - not based on the 1990's. Use all of it, or use none of it, but the sport cannot grow (fans and/or competitors) if the same qualifying method continues to grind out... with track management "hoping" that this weekend 30+ cars will show up for each division, even though YTD the show has been averaging closer to 20 (or less.) Doing something just because "That's always how we've done it" doesn't work when what made it work is no longer in place. Expecting folks to pay $15 - $20 for a regular show, where many of the events take on the look of organized practice sessions (even with the "redraw" carrot thrown in) rather than actual "races" will not move the sport forward.

Change is needed now. Ownership/management of all short track speedways need to acknowledge beginning this week that car counts of years past are not likely to return soon. They have to accept that the heat/consolation and feature model must be changed in favor of a qualifying method that will improve today's show from beginning to end.

Cool Down Lap:

We can continue to wait for the economy to improve... or wait for the trends that cause people to come and go in and out of the sport to become "favorable" once again. Or instead, we can stop blaming everyone and everything else for what in many cases is a show that is not compelling, and often offers only a few minutes of excitement and fun over the course of hours of events lacking excitement and competition.

The qualifying method a track chooses is a big part of "the show" that those in charge can control. It is something that does not require facilities upgrade, new loads of clay, expensive construction, other large expenditures or higher purse payout. If someone is willing to take the chance, it is something that can be implemented right away.

The "Top Half Advance” qualifying format is a logical approach because it draws the fan in from the beginning of the night and will keep them engaged right through the consolation events, and into the features. It will make for an exciting "complete" night at the races, which is something that is now missing from many tracks.

"The winds of circumstance blow on us all, but we can all set our sail." 1 It's time to stop blaming everyone else for what's wrong with the sport. It's time for those who are in a position to "set the sail," and to understand the responsibility that comes with it, and to make the proper adjustments to guide short track racing in a different direction than it is currently heading. 1Quote from American Entrepreneur and Author Jim Rohn.

Thank you for being concerned about our sport, and for investing the time to read the above proposed qualifying method. To provide your comments, please let us know if your are a fan, crew member, member of track staff and email your thoughts or questions to: maincontact@3wide@optonline.net

Sincerely,
Joe Macfarlan
www.3WidesPictureVault.com

Since the amount of cars per division can vary from week to week, and from track to track, here is a "suggested" strategy that can be used as a guide tracks with divisions containing anywhere from 1 - 30 cars:

YOU DECIDE - WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER WATCH?

Track B Example (August 2014)
For those that don't like a lot of words, here's how the "Top Half Advance" Qualifying Method would work based on real current day (August 2014) car counts for a show consisting of Modifieds, Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.

Compare the current method (left) that is being offered, to the proposed method (right) and ask yourself as a fan, which would you prefer to watch?

Current "Qualifying" Method in Use		Proposed "Top Half Advance" Qualifying Method
23 Modifieds (below)	OR	23 Modifieds (below)

28 Sportsman (below)	OR	28 Sportsman (below)

15 Outlaw Stocks (below)	OR	15 Outlaw Stocks (below)