All is quiet at tracks across the state, with the exception of drivers and crews feverishly wrenching away and making final preparations for the 2018 season. Promoters are carefully watching the forecast and looking at their schedules to see if they need to push the openers back (yes a lot have already had to make that decision). The announcers are prepping their notes and sponsorship plugs and of course the fans are chomping at the bit to get to the tracks. In short everyone is either geared up or are gearing up for an exciting 2018 race season and each person can play a positive role in being an ambassador to dirt track racing.
Dirt track racing is a niche sport, we are a niche of niche of a niche sport (racing to oval to dirt) and the best way to promote our sport is to promote positivity. It certainly is easier said than done, I myself have to think before i post online. Social media is a double edge sword for our sport. We use it to promote and show off our highlights and accomplishments. We use it to inform others across the nation of what we are about. Yet, social media can be more damaging than good. Often we as drivers or fans are quick to bash a track, a promoter, or a series in the heat of the moment. Often, many of us jump to a social media source to bemoan our displeasure and only tell one side of the story rather than writing or contacting the promoter, track, or series. These heat of the moment posts, comments, and outbursts gives our sport and local tracks and figures a black eye and paints an ugly picture of dirt track racing. This then effects how potential fans and sponsors see the sport and often it doesn't help it and opportunities are lost.
So how do we all become better ambassadors for dirt track racing?
1. Take a deep breath and think before you run off to facebook and twitter to bash your track or series. Think of what might be a better solution to get your problem or concern resolved. Give the track a phone call or shoot them a message and give them constructive feedback. The promoters and tracks will definitely hear you out if they are worth their grit.
2. Take someone to the track who has never been to a race before. The truth is we need new and younger fans to keep our sport alive. Odds are they may have been exposed to the dirt track world and may have no clue that it even existed in your town or area.
3. Support the sponsors! Dirt track racing needs sponsors to keep it alive, plain and simple. It may sound silly but when you stop at a track, a series, or a particular driver sponsor location it really does benefit the sport. Don't be embarrassed to say, "Hey, we saw that you sponsored the track or whoever," it let's them know that their sponsorship money is being noticed and it will keep them more open for a continuation to be involved in dirt track racing.
4. Offer to get involved! Dirt track racing relies heavily on volunteers to keep the doors open at local tracks. You have a 99% chance of being involved at you local track if you offer to help. It may be as simple as picking rocks from the track or as involved as being a corner official. One thing that I can promise you though is that once you start helping out at your local track you will take a lot more pride and ownership in your local track. Not to mention that you will meet some amazing people who have some amazing stories to tell. This goes for many racers as well!
5. Last but not least promote the sport as a whole. Let's be honest not all race fans enjoy the same type of racing. Some may prefer sprint cars, some might enjoy Legends the most. However, the common ground is that we all enjoy and love dirt track racing. So when you are having talking to someone who may enjoy a different class than you do, try to keep an open mind. Remember it doesn't help dirt track racing if you bash another class of car.
So there you have it folks, if you want to be an ambassador of the sport you alone can control that. As we near the 2018 race remember to be polite, to have a dd if you wish to purchase some beverages, and to have fun. Let's have a great 2018 as next week a lot of tracks will be hosting their test and tunes.
