The first Chili Bowl I went to in the 90's had 90 plus cars. Everyone thought that was amazing. The numbers have risen steadily and now we are at an unsustainable number of nearly 300. My question is this: What number does it have to fall to that makes it a failure? 250/225/200/150? To me those are realistic numbers and would still be an amazing event.

I think we are seeing sort of a one,two punch in terms of the economy and we are now seeing the ending of one of the largest group of kids to ever move through quarter midgets and through the ranks. They are now in their early to mid-twenties and are going to or leaving college. Some lost interest and some have run out of money.

The types of businesses that many of the people who own cars in this sport are also on hard times. Construction and earth moving type of businesses are struggling. We also have seen the end of one of the largest costrusction booms in the last century.

I wouldn't worry too much about what Stewert and Kahne are doing. Just because they left one side of it doesn't mean they have quit. They maybe doing something else within the sport.

Are we in a lull? Sure, but there are many good stories. We have more race cars running today than we ever have. Powri had great car counts all year last year. We had many first time winners last year.

As a business owner am I concerned? Sure, but that means I have to adapt. If not I fail. Thats competition and thats what makes America great.

Happy Holidays