Opinion: The Trouble with Asphalt Racing Part 2

Jim Foose Speedway Action Magazine

The problem with asphalt racing that’s causing a steep decline in spectator attendance and participation along with closing tracks is self inflicted.  In Part 1 of the series we looked at the amount of classes and the payouts.  In Part 2 we will be looking into the facilities themselves.  

Aging Facilities

Mansfield Speedway was the most modern racing facility at it’s time with ADA compliant Grandstands, seats with backs, easy to navigate stairs, corporate suites, the best of everything but by today’s standards it’s outdated.  The facility had wifi for the tower and media members, but no open wifi on the property for fans to connect to, the scoreboard which was state of the art in 2003 lacks a video board, something new owner Matt Tifft has stated is a major priority for him to add to the facility.  Most asphalt tracks in the area lack amenities for the fans that have come along in recent years.  Some don’t even have a working scoreboard on the property to inform fans of what lap it is and who is leading the race going on infront of them.  And then there’s the sound systems at most tracks, older than most of the drivers on the track, patched together with aged wiring and speakers that are inadequate to deliver announcements loud enough for fans to hear with cars running on the track.  

Today’s fans want to be entertained, they want to sit in comfortable seats without smelling cigarette smoke from the fans next to them, they want to eat good tasting food that doesn’t break the bank and they want to use clean restrooms that are stocked and kept up throughout the event.  These fans are more likely to remember something if it flashes across the video board in between showing running orders, replays and other highlights of the program.  They want to feel connected to the events, often using their smartphones to connect to timing and scoring to follow along with the action on the track.  It’s the promoter’s job to make those fans feel that they are a part of the program.  

What gets remembered is the bad experiences, the dirty restrooms with toilets that don’t flush, waiting in line to get to the dirty restroom and overpriced low quality food.  And nobody keeps a bad review to themselves, they tell their friends, neighbors and coworkers about the bad time they had at ABC Speedway.  

The local tracks just have not evolved past putting up a grandstand and a catch fence, building a concession stand and providing a restroom (or port-a-john in some cases).  There’s more to the entertainment value than opening the gates and putting racecars on the track.  In the meantime, other entertainment venues (sports stadiums, movie theaters, family fun parks and others) have evolved to provide a cutting edge experience that entertains the whole family from the children to the grandparents.  Sports stadiums and concert venues have upped the fan experience with the “Fan Cam”, which has recently come under fire after an unfortunate incident at a Coldplay concert event, connecting fans to the stadiums wifi and providing digital event programs, FAQ pages and giving fans a place to share their experiences to social media and to learn more about the athletes or performers on stage all from a smart phone.  Local short tracks do not provide that kind of easy access.  Most don’t even have wifi available to guests on the property.  

Then there’s the wooden bleacher seats offered by so many tracks, offering little leg room for even an average height person and the always awkward bumps and rubs with your fellow fans as someone makes their way to the concession stand or bathroom.  That may happen at all venues but it seems as if race tracks never adapted to the current standards for leg room or limits on how many seats are in each row.  It can be uncomfortable for everyone.  

Just because a facility is older, doesn’t mean it can’t look good.  A fresh coat of paint, signage directing guests along the way and a crew committed to keeping the facility clean, even during an event, all make the fan experience better for all.  A great example of an older facility that gets a touch up each season and still provides fans with an excellent experience is Fremont Speedway, located at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds.  The fair, celebrating it’s 173rd anniversary in 2025, has several historical buildings on the property and the main grandstand, built in true county fair fashion with a roof covering the main grandstand, itself is a historical piece.  Yet every year, the grandstand and other structures around the property receive a fresh coat of paint and look good as new for race fans enjoying a night at the races.  Fremont Speedway has taken the time and money to invest in lighting and a professional sound system that works well.  The track is almost as bright at night as it is during the daytime, rivaling some NASCAR tracks for how well lit the race track is.  

Where is the entertainment budget going and what do current facilities look like?

TopGolf, which calls itself “a sports entertainment complex offering an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. Experience the thrill of hitting golf balls at giant targets, all tracked by Toptracer technology for real-time feedback and scoring. Our bays are equipped with cooling fans for the summer and heaters for the winter, ensuring comfort year-round. With delicious food, refreshing drinks, lively music, and an atmosphere buzzing with energy from the moment you walk in, Topgolf is the perfect destination for fun, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.”

Cinemark and other Movie Theaters. “Cinemark has set the standard for moviegoing since its founding in 1984 and offers moviegoers a premium experience with amenities like Cinemark XD, Luxury Loungers, mobile ordering and delicious food & beverage options, including dine-in restaurants and seat-side service in select locations”

The #1 problem for all short tracks is rising costs compounded by dwindling car counts and low fan attendance.  Other factors play into the equation and that’s what we will look at throughout this series.  Nobody wants to see a track close, as race fans we want to see every track thrive.  Sadly, that is not the way the sport is heading currently.  

In the next part of this series we will be looking into race promoting, the effect of social media on how fans consume information and how free isn’t always the answer.