Gas City Update
 

Sprint heat winners:
Coons
Cottle
Ballou

Feature up shortly.

Ballou, Coons, Grant, Cottle. Ballou was the show with Grant coming hard after Coons at the end.

Gas City Update/Results........
 

Originally Posted by Tumey's 55:
Ballou, Coons, Grant, Cottle. Ballou was the show with Grant coming hard after Coons at the end.

Good ta see Ballou on a Roll of late!!... got something figured out.....
_____________
Brucer':32:

Re: Gas City Update/Results........
 

I think it's that Don Ott motor he got.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Fast Qualifier: Robert Ballou

1. Robert Ballou
2. Jerry Coons, Jr
3. Justin Grant
4. Shane Cottle
5. Chris Gurley
6. Logan Jarrett
7. Max McGhee
8. Todd Keen
9. Dave Darland
10. Kyle Simon
11. Scotty Weir
12. Tyler Hewitt
13. Josh Spencer
14. Justin Owen
15. Kevin Myers
16. Conner Donelson
17. Parker Fredrickson
18. Matt McDonald
19. Travis Hery

Re: Gas City Update
 

Pretty good show, and sprint feature done at 9:30. Wish they had a better crowd

Re: Gas City Update
 

did the Midgets race also?>>>>>>>>>Never Mind I just didn't get into IOW deep enough.:D:10:

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Gas City Update
 

I would think that running a race track (and I don't) would be like racing a race car. If I ain't reving my engine enough I drop the gear ratio (ticket price) and tell my driver to perk him up a little (advertise to the crowd) with a little more hype in the good old IOW. They have a great race track, they can sure pull some quality cars and drivers, they just got to make it so people can afford to as well as want to go see a race on Friday night.

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Yes, midgets were on the card, see the Gas City midget thread for results. It was a crash fest with a yellow or red about every two laps. I think only 8 cars finished.

I had not been to Gas City in a couple of years. Crowd was way down compared to what it used to be. Racing was good and it was a shame crowd was so low. Interesting that they introduced and interviewed a couple of drivers in front of the crowd and there was almost no response, very little acknowledgement of the drivers. Several on IOW have addressed the need to get drivers in front of the crowd but did not seem to go over well in my opinion which was disappointing.

Im sure the track worker in turn 4 has a lot of experience but I hope he pays more attention in the future. While standing on the track during cautions he had his back to the cars just watching accident clean up on the other end of the track. Was nearly hit once by a midget. Not sure I have ever seen a track worker as unaware of his surroundings as he seemed to be. Not trying to criticize just would hate to see someone get hurt.

All in all an an enjoyable evening and I hope folks support them better in the future.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Agree with Tumey's 55, they interviewed a couple "name brand" drivers and the crowd did not seem interested. Also not only the turn 4 worker but was also disappointed by one of the push trucks. While one of the trucks was pushing Logan Jarrett off after a red flag another truck cut him off with the 29 almost running into him. I'm not sure if the woman riding along in the truck was the guys significant other or what but if you're going to ride along in a push truck at least try to help the driver out and pay attention.

That being said I do applaud Gas City for Friday night, yes the crowd count was down as well as the car count but they are doing a lot of things right. Yes, the worker and one of the push truck drivers/passenger weren't paying attention but the track was prepared very well last night resulting in the fact they didn't really have to farm it too much as the night went on not to mention it produced good racing. They had bike races for the kids in which only 3 kids took part in but I do applaud Mel for trying new things to get new fans, especially younger fans, in the stands. Even with all of the reds in the midget race I was home at a reasonable time so not a bad night at all.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Jerry

Re: Gas City Update
 

Only 19 cars?

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
Only 19 cars?

20 at Bloomington,and tonight was not any better for car counts. 22 at Lps, 20 at the burg and Paragon rained out.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Originally Posted by PIT CART:
20 at Bloomington,and tonight was not any better for car counts. 22 at Lps, 20 at the burg and Paragon rained out.

Boy, that's to bad. :11:

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
Boy, that's to bad. :11:

The after sprint week demise... Happens every year and one that I know for sure has closed up shop and selling out.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Originally Posted by DAD:
I would think that running a race track (and I don't) would be like racing a race car. If I ain't reving my engine enough I drop the gear ratio (ticket price) and tell my driver to perk him up a little (advertise to the crowd) with a little more hype in the good old IOW.

So your solution to help Gas City stay open is to cut revenue (ticket price) and increase expenses (advertising)? I hope no one counts on you to keep a business open. :11::11::11::11::11::17::17::17::17::17:

Re: Gas City Update
 

If a business has a good product and Gas City does, and finds itself with a lack of customers and it does, many times in hard economic times the business may cut the selling price of the product and hope to generate more customers in the process while also intending to make up some of the revenue lost through other forms of revenue sources such as concessions and souvenir sales. It appears many tracks are now doing just that.

An old business saying goes "You advertise in good time and in bad times you advertise more" People have to be aware of your services even more in bad times because the pool of customers shrinks and they need to cultivate new ones.

I have been doing it this way for the last 45 years or so and it always seems to works for me. The slogan I use in my advertising is and has been "NO MUFF TOO TUFF". I borrowed that one from an old guy that had a muffler shop up in Indy, I think he used to race in the 500 up their.

From your last post I would assume that you have no idea about Jan, you don't own a race car and you definitely don't own a business. I would also assume that you also "get off" by stirring the old "SH1t Pot". Why don't you try a "Positive Response" just ever so often, definitely not always?? Who knows you might just like that even more, "You never Know">

You remind me of an old now defunct poster on IOW named Marvelous something who's claim to fame was being on the Howard Sterne show.

ENJOY:10:

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: Gas City Update
 

Originally Posted by DAD:
If a business has a good product and Gas City does, and finds itself with a lack of customers and it does, many times in hard economic times the business may cut the selling price of the product and hope to generate more customers in the process while also intending to make up some of the revenue lost through other forms of revenue sources such as concessions and souvenir sales. It appears many tracks are now doing just that.

An old business saying goes "You advertise in good time and in bad times you advertise more" People have to be aware of your services even more in bad times because the pool of customers shrinks and they need to cultivate new ones.

I have been doing it this way for the last 45 years or so and it always seems to works for me. The slogan I use in my advertising is and has been "NO MUFF TOO TUFF". I borrowed that one from an old guy that had a muffler shop up in Indy, I think he used to race in the 500 up their.

From your last post I would assume that you have no idea about Jan, you don't own a race car and you definitely don't own a business. I would also assume that you also "get off" by stirring the old "SH1t Pot". Why don't you try a "Positive Response" just ever so often, definitely not always?? Who knows you might just like that even more, "You never Know">

You remind me of an old now defunct poster on IOW named Marvelous something who's claim to fame was being on the Howard Sterne show.

ENJOY:10:

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Our you could go and support them

Originally Posted by DAD:
If a business has a good product and Gas City does, and finds itself with a lack of customers and it does, many times in hard economic times the business may cut the selling price of the product and hope to generate more customers in the process while also intending to make up some of the revenue lost through other forms of revenue sources such as concessions and souvenir sales. It appears many tracks are now doing just that.

An old business saying goes "You advertise in good time and in bad times you advertise more" People have to be aware of your services even more in bad times because the pool of customers shrinks and they need to cultivate new ones.

I have been doing it this way for the last 45 years or so and it always seems to works for me. The slogan I use in my advertising is and has been "NO MUFF TOO TUFF". I borrowed that one from an old guy that had a muffler shop up in Indy, I think he used to race in the 500 up their.

From your last post I would assume that you have no idea about Jan, you don't own a race car and you definitely don't own a business. I would also assume that you also "get off" by stirring the old "SH1t Pot". Why don't you try a "Positive Response" just ever so often, definitely not always?? Who knows you might just like that even more, "You never Know">

You remind me of an old now defunct poster on IOW named Marvelous something who's claim to fame was being on the Howard Sterne show.

ENJOY:10:

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

I understand the sentiment but the facts are that for an average business, whatever that is, a 5% price cut must result in nearly a 20% increase in sales just to stay even. Price cuts rarely have this kind of impact on sales. Obviously more butts in the seats should result in more concession revenue. However, the admission price Gas City charges is in line with other tracks and seems like a good value in entertainment. A price cut does not seem like the answer. If sprint fans will vote with their wallet and attend more often then this issue will take care of itself.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Against my better judgement I am going to put my two cents worth in. First of all the original thread was hijacked and turned into something completely different than the heading implies. That happens quite often here on the IOW board. Wouldn't it be refreshing to not have this happen at all. When pigs fly I guess.:15:

Secondly, this issue of attendance or lack of and low car counts happens around this time every year here in Indiana. This isn't just an issue at Gas City but other tracks are seeing it as well. The economy right now still has people hurting for disposable income and racing isn't the top priority for so many folks today. Putting food on the table seems to out rank taking the family out to the local bullring. Outside of a few shows including sprint week, I haven't been to a track this season that has had what I would call a great crowd on a regular basis.

As far as car count goes, I remember early in the season some grumbling about low car counts. It is what it is. All the complaining and armchair promoting won't make this problem go away. However, I have the solution.:16 Starting on Friday night, push the chair back and turn off the computer. Get in your vehicle and drive to a short track here in Indiana and buy a ticket. Better yet, ask a neighbor, the kid next door, a co-worker or even the guy down the block that you don't particularly care for to join you. You might just make a race friend for life. When you arrive at the track, stop in at the concession stand and pick up a drink and a sandwich and maybe even a bag of popcorn. If you so happen to see one of the 50/50 ticket sellers you might even buy a ticket for a chance to leave with more money than you came with.

I know that you will be taking a chance that the bleachers won't be as comfortable as your computer chair at home, the dust might just be a little more at the track than at your house, and you might just be out later than 9:00 PM. Go ahead, what do you have to lose? Be careful, it can become contagious though and you might get hooked.:39:

I can almost assure you that every promoter of a short track here in the USA are hoping that this will happen this weekend. They ALL need more butts in the seats.

If you want to see the answer to the low car count/butts in the seat question, read the post from Wayne Co Speedway, on the Jack Hewitt Clasic race. That is a great example of a promoter "Promoting". I will bet they will pack the house for this event, and more than make-up for the added purse.

Originally Posted by Longtime sprinter:
If you want to see the answer to the low car count/butts in the seat question, read the post from Wayne Co Speedway, on the Jack Hewitt memorial race. That is a great example of a promoter "Promoting". I will bet they will pack the house for this event, and more than make-up for the added purse.

Good point. I agree, but that is at Waynesfield Raceway Park.

Re: Gas City Update
 

Originally Posted by Longtime sprinter:
If you want to see the answer to the low car count/butts in the seat question, read the post from Wayne Co Speedway, on the Jack Hewitt Clasic race. That is a great example of a promoter "Promoting". I will bet they will pack the house for this event, and more than make-up for the added purse.

Must not have made much of an impression or you would have known its at Waynesfield. Promoting on places like this site reaches the hardcores, but doesn't reach the casual fan that the sport desperately needs