Originally Posted by DirtTrackTherapy16J
So I wasnt going to comment on this since I have never been to Knoxville, but this has been a positive debate for the most part and fun to read. I will add a few things. If you dont like it, fine, your choice, but dont come at me with name calling, being immature, all that negative b.s. If you dont like it, then just ignore it and scroll on and act your age. Some is facts, some is opinions.
So Smackdown does get promoted in some ways, highly unlikely like Knoxville does. We have a radio station in Kokomo that has been promoting it for a few weeks or so. WWKI 100.5FM. Country radio station. Not everyone around here listens to country music, especially the newer country music. Also being a small business owner myself, it is not cheap to advertise and promote via radio. No social media is not a good way to solely depend on either. However as Funk said, there are other businesses that get behind it and support it and promote it and individuals like him, myself, one he mentioned, others in this town that do all they can, talk all they can, but yet again, probably not like Knoxville.
It's not a week long party. Only about half a week. No the town doesnt stop or shut down or have parades or festivals. Some people in this town hates the track and racing and noise and etc. Its how they are, their not race fans, their loss/choice. That also does not help. As another said, no most the hotels doesnt even know what Smackdown is. No welcome race fans or deals/discounts, anything like that.
One factor that I personally see and think is an issue, is age. Please noone on here take it the wrong way bc that's not what it's intended for. Around here, the younger crowd is very very light and small at the race tracks. Most businesses cant even get the younger crowd to work, as I'm sure alot of you in your respective towns and areas have the same problem. I know people in their 20s and even early 30s that wont leave their house unless they have to and it has nothing to do with Covid or the economy. It's sad. Most of what I see at the tracks are dye hards, race travelers, or families. Example was Saturday night at US24 Speedway. 60-75% of the people around us didnt even know who Daison Pursley was, much less his injury situation and comeback story. Had no idea why some were in happy tears, screaming in joy, clapping, etc. It was families or people looking for affordable entertainment. Not your typical race fan. The fan base is growing older, some even passing on, not too much of a younger crowd. The 2 primary groups I spend time with, I'm the youngest in both groups at 40. The one group even picks on me and laughs at me calling me the baby at 40.
Something I havent seen anyone really discuss or talk about either is property size, rules/laws, city/county ordinances. Kokomo does not have the property Knoxville or Eldora has. Also neither does Terre Haute. Has Mr. Ronk and the others done a great job with TH, IN MY OPINION yes!!!! However, it's on the Fairgrounds and that becomes a factor. Kokomo is "landlocked" in a round about way. KG is on one side and is never going anywhere, it's one of the biggest grain operations in the state and midwest, its a farming community whether anyone likes farmers or not, outside of the big 3 factories in Kokomo. Then you got Davis Road and the RR tracks. Neither are going anywhere. So that leaves the farm ground west and north, along with the trash company and building. Those are the only directions the track could go for more parking, more camping, bigger pits, etc. It is possible as the farm ground belongs to extended family of mine who I help with harvest, but it would take ALOT of money to buy the farm ground as is the same for the trash company/building. Even then would it be Knoxville, probably not. Would it be Eldora, probably not. Lots and lots of history with those 2 tracks, as I would call the tracks, owners, promoters, past and present, Legends!!
I am very biased on this subject, Kokomo is the best track in the state hands down, top 5 in the nation, IF you ask me and IN MY OPINION. I love the O'connor Family, always hugs and handshakes at every race, I respect the hell out of them and how hard they work to make Kokomo what it is. Also another good friend of mine with them in combination, they all got me back into racing after my accident at 13 yrs old. However, will it ever be Knoxville or Eldora, highly unlikely. Those of us that wish it was or wish Smackdown was, we can always dream, hope, and wish. As one said, IF I hit the lottery real big, I'd do everything I could to turn Kokomo into a Knoxville track or Eldora track!! In the mean time, great positive debate that I have enjoyed reading, good day to all, and enjoy what we/you have, while we/you still have it.
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