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Thanks for sharing that letter Kevin. Good stuff and a great reflection on what is important to the paying race fan. Hats off to Josh and Jerry and the Spencer clan for being available and approachable to the fans and helping to promote the sport. Here in winged country, that goes a long way when trying to introduce traditional Sprints to the winged fans. Fans like to feel they have a vested interest in a team when they root for someone. Meeting not just the drivers but also the crew makes fans out of even a casual race attendee.
Great reflections on the situation by Dean as well.
It's always amazed me that drivers had to pay to get in to entertain when we folks in the Press and Media do not (for the most part). That never really seemed right to me. Unfortunately it's not a situation you are ever going to change. This is grass roots racing where the "back gate" is king at most tracks.
I know one track here in PA, until the promoter lost his mind and pissed everyone in the open wheel divisions off (not mentioning any names), used to give the driver a free pit pass when the car entry fee was paid. Crew members still had to buy pit passes but the driver got in free. I think that's a good compromise. The promoter gets enough back gate to cover the purse and the driver doesn't have to pay for the privilege of risking his/her own life so that the promoter can sell tickets.
Just my $.02
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