Race track promoters are frequently uninspired and lack creativity when actually promoting their shows. They would do well to learn from minor league baseball teams when it comes to creating wacky and inventive special promotions that drive attendance and gain publicity.

My latest article address this (the second in a series that started last week with car counts) is up on the Examiner.com site. Do you guys have any ideas for off-the-wall promotions, or know of any that tracks have done recently? I'd love to hear some good stories and ideas.

Sorry .... Baseball only requires one ball !!

There's a ton of bright ideas from minor league and summer collegiate league baseball that could be adapted for short track racing. One in particular is the "Beer Batter" type deal. Most teams will select one hitter from the opposing team to be the target for the promotion. Anytime that hitter strikes out, beers will be reduced for the next half inning. Perhaps tracks could select the driver who draws the highest pill that night, and if that driver wins their heat race, beer prices get reduced for 15 minutes. This is just one idea, there are so many more.

As for worrying about alienating the older fans, the sad reality is that they very likely won't be around 20 or 30 years from now. But their grandkids will be. Besides, I really don't think that anyone is going to stop going to a track with great racing simply because they don't like goofy promotions between races.

I am not a good announcer by an stretch and will never claim to be.I think that I'm to much of a fan and find myself getting caught up in the excitement of the race instead of calling it like I should. What I think I am pretty good at is getting the fans into the show. I believe you get the kids pumped up and keep them occupied the parents will love you for it and want to come back and the kids will never forget the experience. I do this by putting the kids on the mic and asking them question about their favorite cartoons and giving out a little prize for a right or wrong answere. My point is so many times promoters push their staff to get the race over fast and announcers take their job WAY to serious, you wouldn't believe just how serious they take it and forget that it's a show and people come to get entertained by the entire show not just the racing. It could be the worse race ever but if I can make it fun for the adults by getting them and their kids into it then I think they'll leave happy.I don't think a track needs to have to many wacked out gimmicks to draw the crowd in they (the promoter) just needs to remember a few things like, what it cost for the consumer to get to and in their facility and what it cost once their in (food) and that people want to be entertained and escape from reality for a few hours and get their hard earned money's worth.You have to make the consumer believe in his heart that he or she can't miss next week. You as a promoter want your patrons to feel guilty about missing a race and you want the kids to bug their parents all week about going because they got to talk to that crazy announcer on the mic.I have said it a thousand times before we need promoters and a lot less race track owners. John Gurley SCORA Sprint Car Series
****See you all at the Action Track.

One night at Pike County, instead of having the six drivers in the micro sprint dash for cash simply draw for their starting spots, we had a "frozen t-shirt contest." The first driver to get their shirt pulled apart from the balled up shape they were frozen into and pulled on started on the pole. So we had six drivers beating these frozen t-shirts against the top of the guardrail, right in front of the fans.:2:

saw this post and thought i might jump in on this one. one of the very best promoter's for this type of thing has now retired, but still does some consulting. linda holdeman, who once ran winchester, as well as oswego, had very innovative ways to entertain people @ the track, aside from the racing action. too many promotions to list here. she also went out of her way for children at the races, often combining a children's fair on racing weekends. if our sport is to survive, we must engage the younger generation and get them active in our sport at an early age. anyone who may want to call upon her expertise in the auto racing industry can contact me through this site and i can put you in touch with her. hope everyone has a great day, and the rain stops soon!!

I have only had time to visit Kokomo and VCS this year so far but, VCS was a very pleasant surprise. The promotor came down in the stands with a remote microphone and kept the show going with drawings, introducing the fair queen contestants etc. I would have to say he "gets it" when it comes to promotion.
btw I can't wait till the Daisy Duke look-a-like contest

Last weekend at butler motor speedway in michigan they had an autograph night where they opened the pits up for 30mins for anyone to come and meet their favorite drivers. good idea for the kids. They all looked happy, despite the rain delays.

Does minor league have 8 teams playing on the weekend 100 miles apart?

Glad to help the Drunks who come to a sprint car race so they can get a D.U.I on way home and save a buck doing it ..GOOD TIMES...by the way I don't go to a local track because of the dog and pony show...low car count at the last sprint car race [26 cars] ..heats and main only .they drug it out for 3 1/2 hours..as far as your older fan comment,look around at the next race ,they may be gone in 20 years but their paying their way today...but wait that generation always paid their way..you must be from the currant generation..everybody gets a participation trophy/free lunch/free ride...let's see how that works out for you....respect your elders *******!