It is and since I am a nice guy I am offering every team out there the chance to sell me their 410's for $500ea. That is cash American. At least that way they won't be worthless. I am only offering this because I care for the racer.

Kidding aside I would say that WINGED 410 cars are declining, but there isn't anything wrong with only having 1 or two traveling winged 410 series. There is only 1 traveling Non-Wing series and there has only been one to my knowledge.

Everyone gets caught up in 305/360/410 talk and all they are is numbers. If the best drivers where all running with the French Grimes Sprint Saver Series then that is what would be popular. Drivers make the sport, not the cars. The cars have changed many times over during the last 70 years and they will continue to evolve and change as the times dictate.

Does this mean I want 410's to go away? No because so many people have invested in them and there are so many out there that I would hate to see their investments go sour.

As far as tough times, I agree that there will be tough times, but energy costs are on pace to at least be 1/3 cheaper next year. We are experiencing a slow down and lay-offs, but we have endured this many times over the years. The fear of potentially having no money is what is driving much of the talk and speculation right now. Problem is: The more people don't spend their money the worse it will get for them. We need to spend money within our limits, BUT we have to stop spending BORREWED MONEY because we then truely have no disposible cash as the "juice" gets worse. I am not saying that credit and credit cards are evil, but they have a place and we have let them get out of control and the same goes with home equity lines. Don't use them for vacations. Use them for things that are needed.

As far as racing goes, personally I feel that if we had less tracks competing against each other then we could have fans in more of a concentrated area and the more fans means the bigger payouts for teams. As far as the teams around here wanting to compete with the "big boys" all I have to say to that is when there is a $10,000 show and a regular Paragon show, Who gets the most cars? Many guys want to get the feel of racing a car and that is cool in my book, but not many want to go and race against the best if that means they may have to watch them from the stands during the last race. I don't like racing like that, but I don't blame them either.

Racing will go on as it always has and people will find ways to go see the races, just don't worry about it and go enjoy what life has to offer. I'm not saying to spend your money foolishly or what have you, but if you enjoy racing, then do it. No matter if that means you like to drive,own or just watch. Be smart about it, but enjoy it and do so without fear. All of this talk of "what if and what could or should be" is just that. Talk. There are many people making legitimate fortunes using peoples fears against them right now as we speak.

We have come through a reveloutionary war, a civil war, two world wars, countless skirmish's, Cuban Missle Crises, Murdered Presidents and Leaders, Slavery, Civil Rights arguments, Corporate and Political Greed, a Great Depression and many, many recession's. This isn't even anything close to the worst thing we have ever seen before and something tells me we will get through this to.

Enjoy the ride while you can, even if you have to buckle up because it's a bumpy one.