Sorry Duke im not trying get off subject, all i was trying to say is that when ur not getting the fans in the stands for whatever reason, the track owners are not going to pay more. But you are still going to have teams and owners spending big money to win. The only thing that makes running a team or a racecar justifiable for the little guy is that he/she just has that absolute passion and love for open wheel racing. And yes tires are one reason that the little guy is dropping out of racing or running a restricted schedule, but tires are not the only reason.