As the start of the 2005 NASCAR racing season approaches, the memoriesof the last-lap battle for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series trophy arefresh in our minds. So, too, are the 2004 NASCAR Toyota All-StarShowdown, and the excitement of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Serieschampionship celebration in Nashville, Tenn. - where the sport'sgrassroots racers had a chance to shine like true superstars.
In December, NASCAR sponsored the inaugural Short Track Racing Summit inLas Vegas, where industry leaders gathered to discuss issues facing theshort track business, including both NASCAR and non-NASCAR sanctionedrace tracks. NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter, who helped found NASCAR'sweekly program in 1982, reminded us to focus on the positive, and buildup short track racing instead of tearing it down.
And, he's never been more right. We don't need to look far to find anumber of interesting and exciting storylines at the short track level.Stories that can help grab the attention of fans (not to mention mediaand sponsors), and help them learn and understand what makes their localshort track special.
Take, for example, the story of Northeastern Dirt Modified racer DougHoffman, from Allentown, Pa. Hoffman has been one of the top drivers inthe region for decades, winning multiple championships and more than 400feature races in his career. In 2004 he won the NASCAR Dodge WeeklySeries Northeast regional championship while competing at Big DiamondRaceway. Hoffman, incidentally, drives a school bus during the week,shuttling kids safely to and from school before tearing up Big Diamond'sdirt on Friday nights.
In Prunedale, Calif., Doug McCoun is a captain for the North County FireDistrict. In any given week, Doug will save lives, fight fires and evendeliver babies. He is a highly trained EMT and continually worksaccident scenes. Doug also happens to be a winning short track racer, atWatsonville Speedway and in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division.
Dave Patrick helps manage crops and hired hands on a 3,000-acre farmsouth of Twin Falls, Idaho. The Patrick family has been farming in thearea since 1949, and, you guessed it - Dave is one of the stars of theshow at Magic Valley Speedway in his hometown.
The list goes on and on. There are thousands of people who make a livingin their community, and become a star at their local short track eachweekend.
Short track racing is affordable, exciting entertainment for race fans,families and casual sports fans alike. At NASCAR, we are more excitedthan ever to feature weekly racing and regional touring divisions aspart of our nationwide (and now, international) racing program.
A few days before the Daytona 500 gets underway, we'll be working hardat the second session of the 2005 Short Track Racing Summit, Feb. 14-16,at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Across the street from the world'smost famous beach and down the road from the biggest event of the year,short track racing will take center stage and we're proud to be leadersin this effort.