This weekend saw a few tracks start prepping for the 2020 racing season and that's a wonderful sight for drivers and fans. Once the ok is given by the governor tracks, drivers, and fans will be wanting to start the season as soon as possible but is it really that easy to just start up everything after what we have gone through? Now that answer has yet to be fully seen as no tracks within our state have opened yet. However, the answer is no it's just not that simple. Now before you get mad and leave the page take a moment and break it down with me.
Let's look at the bare minimum that needs to happen first. The tracks still need to be setup and prepped to go and with social distancing taking place currently. So the concession and beer stands need to be filled, the track needs to be worked in, the track equipment needs to gone over and prepped to be ready to go, tires need to be filled and oil needs to be changed in water trucks and tractors, and so forth. This is just the stuff that needs to be taken care of in a normal year but this year isn't normal and we are already running behind schedule.
Ok, so we got the easy stuff out of the way, now comes the next wave of challenges that tracks will face. First, there is double checking that sponsors are still on board or are fully committed for the year. Heck, tracks have to make sure that their sponsors haven't gone under due to the shut downs. This may sound silly but it is a very real issue that tracks are having to deal with. Look no further than the Buffalo River Race Park as they were forced to cancel most of their season due to this reason. Now, their track is in a slightly different position than other tracks are but it is a very real concern that all race boards and promoters are having to deal with and may have to make adjustments to their schedules and promotions.
So let's just say that we get the track prep and facilities ready and we also get the sponsor issues taken care of in time to open at the very first opportunity. The next issue is getting the fans and drivers to the track. Now, I know that the die hards and a lot of drivers will flock to their local tracks but there is an underlying issue that a large group will have to deal with. That issue is that many people live paycheck to paycheck and being laid off or completely losing their job some fans and drivers are going to feel a sharp pain right now in the pocket book. The reality that these people will have to face is, do I pay off my car loan, student loan, bills, monthly rent, the mortgage, buy food, or do I buy those new tires and pay an entry fee and go racing. Both drivers and fans may be holding out a little more than we are used to and that is eventually going to have an effect on the overall attendance in racing.
The next issue is having an action plan in place to host weekly racing. This doesn't mean the nightly racing agenda, rather it means how can we as track and a community can practice social distancing in a way that won't spread or cause another outbreak. We need to be mindful to have certain protocols and expectations in place. For the first couple of weeks this could mean wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and other practices that could prevent anything bad from happening. Could this be foolish? Honestly, it's not foolish just hear me out on this. The racing community in some places isn't really thought highly of and if any track in the state handles this situation poorly or carelessly it could really risk hurting the rest of the tracks within the state. It only takes one bad apple to ruin it for the bunch and in the current society and current day it wouldn't take much to cause a full year shut down for any sport or event. Tracks will need to craft a very strict, safe, and smart action plan when it comes to opening up and hosting events and that's no easy task because we have never experienced something this drastic in our life time.
Did you think those were the only issues? Oh no, there is still one massive issue that every track is going to face this year and that is fear. Fear will be the biggest challenge that everyone is going to have to face this year and what I mean by that is very simple. It is easy for us to sit at home and say, "I can't wait to go racing and to get back to the track." all while in the safety of our homes. Now will you feel as confident when you are heading back to a large gathering for the first time? I mean, I'm in the same boat as those wanting to get back to the track but I would be trying to kid myself if I were to say that there aren't lingering thoughts of the Covid virus being caught at a large gathering. It could be very foolish to feel that way but still it is going to take time before we are fully comfortable to going back to larger scaled events like this. This feeling isn't only felt by myself as a promoter in the state has expressed the same concerns and feels that it could play a major role in this year's race season.
Look, I'm not saying that we are never going to get to go racing or that it is an impossible task to get the tracks up and going. I'm just saying that there are a lot of moving variable that will be in play once the governor gives us the ok to get back racing. I personally, am curious to see what happens with the race down in Jefferson, South Dakota to see what steps they take to protect the fans, drivers, workers, and pit crews. It will definitely, be a statement in either a good or bad way once the night ends and all we can do is wait and see what happens. Keep the faith everyone, we will see you at the track soon enough but until then be safe and stay healthy!
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