Originally Posted by spankytoo:
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So then why do these guys continue to show up to races that pay less than $5-6K to win? We commonly see Grant, Leary, Bacon, Ktj, Seavy, Ballou, etc. showing up to local races which pay $1,500 to win. Maybe one thought.. USAC doesn't keep them busy enough.
As a USAC guy showing up to a local race, they probably have: $150 in pit passes, $100 in truck fuel, approximately 3 new tires they throw away at the end of the day($750), and maybe another $50 in racecar fuel. So they have to win to make money (~$400). Anything less and it is a loss. And this doesn't even account for cost of a motor rebuild at ~$300 per race.
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I don't think most people realize the cost of the sport and how much more money wing racing gets just to show up. Wing racing has set a precedent for how much money they will race for. Why should local Indiana tracks raise their pay when top level talent continues to come for the measly $1400-$1500 to win and $200 to start?
This point has been brought up many times. Many of the non-wing drivers are there own worst enemy. Very, very rarely do you ever see a WOO regular at a local show. However, you see that all of the time with the non-wing shows. I understand the argument that winning $1500 helps pays the bills when staying at home does not, but it is a not a play that wins in the long run.
I also remember threads on this forum about people complaining about paying to watch a USAC show because it was mostly the same drivers racing their last weekend for half the cost. Once again, a WOO ticket is an expensive ticket, but people will routinely pay for it.
Probably the best example of drivers understanding their worth is the dirt Late Model scene. Somehow there are two national touring series that seem to pay well and race for large amounts. You may see a driver crossing series, but you will never see them at a local race.