I am sure my opinion will not be popular with many on this board, but here goes. If social media was not hurting, why does everyone who shuts down say it effected their decision? Wouldn't they know more than anyone?
I think everyone involved in racing does it for the love of the sport. Car owners do not make money, but try to minimize losses. Its the same with racetracks. maybe a guy loses $3000 dollars on a night when weather is threatening and the next day all they see is people complaining. After a while you say heck with this, it ain't worth it. Anyone who says that wouldn't effect them should go buy a track and show everyone how it is done.
If you don't think a lot of people stay home and use social media to follow the action. There are a few people who have sought out internet fame by trying to out do others at updates. If anyone is interested, I would like to try an experiment. There are roughly 3200 members of this board. On any race night, simply say if you are going, or staying home and keeping up on the computer.
There are always going to be reasons, and no one can attend every race, but I think it would be interesting to see how many people actually don't go at all. Just a thought, and I will be the first to admit that last year I worked 27 Saturdays and really hurt in getting to as many as I wanted. Anyone interested?
As for the old coyote, I think you are right pavement seems to hurting everywhere. Sad