OH! no not another Dirt Track..

[Spotter]

Rumor has a new dirt track being constructed on the grounds of the Dunn-Benson Drag Strip. I know there was talk earlier about it being done but now they are actually grading it...


:wow_NBS:

[rb]

Well, if you can see them grading it, I guess it's no longer a rumor. Can someone verify?

[w1ck3d0n3l0st]

Why do you think it is goin to be bad?

[RaceJunkie]

Why do you think it is goin to be bad?

Theres not enough cars for the ones we already have so therefore I think it would be a bad idea to build a complete new track when there are a couple (Wayne County) for one already in place.

Rb I contacted to owner of the drag strip but have yet to hear back from him.


L8models told me the other day that this work was being done to provide more parking for the drag strip, who knows?

[Spotter]

Fund these photos on the web..

[rb]

If that work is being for a dirt track, I'm not sure why'd they want to keep it a secret.

[DIRT_TRACKER123]

It's not a secret...The race program they do on one of the country stations announced this the other night.

[L8models]

Listen clearly, there IS NOT a dirt track being built at the DunnBenson drag strip. They are just clearing land for more parking. I rode out there Monday night with my friend, whom works for the drag strip. You can actually see the old dirt track and you can see where the bulldozers have took down the banking on one end of the old track. It's a tad smaller than Wayne County. They are trying to get alot of projects finished over the winter out there, in time for next season. I will try to have pictures tonight of the old track.

[DIRT_TRACKER123]

I wonder why that's racing on 92.9 would risk there rep if they weren't 100% sure. They didn't specify exactly where the new track would be built just said dunn-benson.

[Dirtfan_21]

well L8models has made his statement.

[L8models]

I wonder why that's racing on 92.9 would risk there rep if they weren't 100% sure. They didn't specify exactly where the new track would be built just said dunn-benson.

They are really changing that place around over the winter (time permitting). The staging lanes are being moved over, farther away from the track. They are putting aluminum bleachers up where the old staging lanes are now. They are gonna to tear down the old tower, and build a new one with VIP suites, which will result in the tree being ran by remote, on the track. These are just a couple of things they are hoping to get done over the winter. It's just not realistic to have a dirt track that close to the drag strip. Even with the new parking being added, when the top dog shoot out and the Quick 8's are there, parking will still be a nightmare. It's just not possible.

[DIRT_TRACKER123]

i get what l8models said but whos to say it's not being built somewhere other than there....

[L8models]

i get what l8models said but whos to say it's not being built somewhere other than there....

I will tell you this. I would be the first person to rally for a dirt track in the Benson area. I would do all I could to get one down this way. So, I am still dreaming.

[jhofficial]

Having spent many a long night at that Drag Strip back in the day. I can tell you that the work shown in those pics are way to close to the actual track, to be the future grading of a oval track. There is only one way another track of any kind Drag ,Asphalt or Dirt could be successful any were near the I-95 corridor and that would be if the track ran on Friday Night.. I would stand behind that plan and support a Friday Night track 200%

[rb]

Having spent many a long night at that Drag Strip back in the day. I can tell you that the work shown in those pics are way to close to the actual track, to be the future grading of a oval track. There is only one way another track of any kind Drag ,Asphalt or Dirt could be successful any were near the I-95 corridor and that would be if the track ran on Friday Night.. I would stand behind that plan and support a Friday Night track 200%

Why wouldn't a track near I-95 and 40 be successful on a Saturday night? I hope the answer to that isn't simply the number of tracks within a certain area that also run on Saturday night.

[Dirtfan_21]

Why wouldn't a track near I-95 and 40 be successful on a Saturday night? I hope the answer to that isn't simply the number of tracks within a certain area that also run on Saturday night.

I believe so.

[gb81racing]

ok now i have no idea.. one person who lives just down the rd from the track says they are building a dirt track and now another person says they aint so now it sounds like rumorville again. and both say they know what they are talking about.. so idk.. guess we will wait and see

[JRhodes]

Listen clearly, there IS NOT a dirt track being built at the DunnBenson drag strip. They are just clearing land for more parking. I rode out there Monday night with my friend, whom works for the drag strip. You can actually see the old dirt track and you can see where the bulldozers have took down the banking on one end of the old track. It's a tad smaller than Wayne County. They are trying to get alot of projects finished over the winter out there, in time for next season. I will try to have pictures tonight of the old track.

That's what one of the track workers told us when we were down there not to long ago.

[DirtZilla13]

I was told there was a write up about it in the news paper down there but I haven't seen it

[L8models]

No dirt track is being built this year...maybe next year:rumor:

[busch]

as the rumer mill goes! do you all remember the deal with fayeteville dragstrip and race way ,about it being closed down for developement of housing ,well alfozi currie has only 2 more years on the place (lease) then caboom,houses,so why soundnt this track at dunn-benson be a good track?as a lot dont know but ricky weeks came to roger williams which owns dunn-benson last year about plans to build a track but in stead he (ricky weeks)got the old track at red springs and testes his car there,also told roger williams that if he built a track rest assured that the cars and fans would attend if built like a track needs to be .but i dont know any thing since i do talk to roger often ,shhhh no ones supposed to know all this,

[wesleycogdell]

rb, to answer your question.

the racing population isnt too strong around this area. i mean you do have clarys, county line, fayetteville, and dublin. all right at 95. now, these three tracks are well within easy driving distance from the I40-I95 crossroads. another dirt track in the area may bring a few new fans out, but all it will do in the long run is hurt itself and the other tracks in the area. when you have 3 glasses of water that are already half full and you pour some out of each to put some water in the 4th glass, everyone loses. its just no feasable in this area. another racetrack that races stockcars in the area wouldnt be a smart business investment. maybe a go cart track but you do have johnston county nearby. so what im saying is that right now we have about everyone that is going to possibly come out to a race out at these tracks already and you see how these tracks suffer. adding another track on saturday nights would be murder on local racing in the area. i think what we all need to do first is to promote what we do have as strong as we can. then maybe in time, we will have enough people coming out everywhere that they may could have a track on friday nights. f

hope this helps

[L8models]

rb, to answer your question.

the racing population isnt too strong around this area. i mean you do have clarys, county line, fayetteville, and dublin. all right at 95. now, these three tracks are well within easy driving distance from the I40-I95 crossroads. another dirt track in the area may bring a few new fans out, but all it will do in the long run is hurt itself and the other tracks in the area. when you have 3 glasses of water that are already half full and you pour some out of each to put some water in the 4th glass, everyone loses. its just no feasable in this area. another racetrack that races stockcars in the area wouldnt be a smart business investment. maybe a go cart track but you do have johnston county nearby. so what im saying is that right now we have about everyone that is going to possibly come out to a race out at these tracks already and you see how these tracks suffer. adding another track on saturday nights would be murder on local racing in the area. i think what we all need to do first is to promote what we do have as strong as we can. then maybe in time, we will have enough people coming out everywhere that they may could have a track on friday nights. f

hope this helps

Good post Wes. Here is another thing though. The success of a new track depends on two main things. First, the location. You couldn't ask for a better location than right smack dab at the crossroads of I-95 and I-40. Probably, the most ideal location would be right in central Wake County. Second, is the amount of money invested into the track. Considering the "owner" is very wealthy, he could easily produce a Eldora or Lowes quality of track facility if the mood struck him right. Could you see a Lowes quality of dirt track in Benson, it would be unimaginable. Also, keep in mind that at least 50% of the drivers and fans that attend Fayetteville Motor Speedway live in the Dunn/Benson area, and that's stretching it to the outskirts as well. Depending on how much is invested into this new track will determine the success or failure.

[Lucky13]

Good post Wes. Here is another thing though. The success of a new track depends on two main things. First, the location. You couldn't ask for a better location than right smack dab at the crossroads of I-95 and I-40. Probably, the most ideal location would be right in central Wake County. Second, is the amount of money invested into the track. Considering the "owner" is very wealthy, he could easily produce a Eldora or Lowes quality of track facility if the mood struck him right. Could you see a Lowes quality of dirt track in Benson, it would be unimaginable. Also, keep in mind that at least 50% of the drivers and fans that attend Fayetteville Motor Speedway live in the Dunn/Benson area, and that's stretching it to the outskirts as well. Depending on how much is invested into this new track will determine the success or failure.

Jerry, you hit the nail on the head buddy. If done right it would hurt only the surrounding tracks. You even have the Dunn-Benson Ford folks who we all know love dirt racing that might get involved. Who knows. Only time will tell. It would be SWEET though.

[rb]

rb, to answer your question.

the racing population isnt too strong around this area. i mean you do have clarys, county line, fayetteville, and dublin. all right at 95. now, these three tracks are well within easy driving distance from the I40-I95 crossroads. another dirt track in the area may bring a few new fans out, but all it will do in the long run is hurt itself and the other tracks in the area. when you have 3 glasses of water that are already half full and you pour some out of each to put some water in the 4th glass, everyone loses. its just no feasable in this area. another racetrack that races stockcars in the area wouldnt be a smart business investment. maybe a go cart track but you do have johnston county nearby. so what im saying is that right now we have about everyone that is going to possibly come out to a race out at these tracks already and you see how these tracks suffer. adding another track on saturday nights would be murder on local racing in the area. i think what we all need to do first is to promote what we do have as strong as we can. then maybe in time, we will have enough people coming out everywhere that they may could have a track on friday nights. f

hope this helps

I appreciate your feedback but I see it a bit differently. While there are three to four tracks within a few hours of the I40-I95 corridor, the success of a new track wouldn't necessarily be hampered simply by the number of tracks. I think *quality* is the essential ingredient here. If someone comes along with deep pockets and builds a new facility in a prime location (closer to Wake County), that is better than the facilities that you mention, it may be bad in some ways for the other facilities, but I can't see how a new facility in a prime location with proper operation would be anything other than positive for dirt racing in NC.

Just my .02.

(After reading the entire thread, I'm basically agreeing with Chris and Jerry.)

[Crash336]

RB, I agree with you, I will at the track that puts the FAN 1st will come out on top. Roger Stack put up with no bull last weekend. A Sprint car stopped on the track Friday after a spin so he would not be lapped, Roger DQ'ed him. I was told 2 drivers got the boot for slowing down the show. Drivers not ready/late to stagging were sent to the back if they were not DQ'ed. By Saturday fans got the benefit of a tightly run show.

In the Dallas TX area, there are 5 to 6 tracks in operations (2 for 30 plus years), to stay in business they have to work hard at it. Just like Roger did to get the (rough track monkey off his back).

Where will the cars/racers come from with that many tracks.
They come out the wood works, you could find every class with every variation of a stock class ever though of. Most tracks marry another track (one runs on FRI the other on SAT) in classes. Others simply ignore all other tracks. In Kenadale (20 minutes outside of Dallas) a track opened accross the road from a track that was going strong for 20+ years. That was 10 years ago and both tracks were running when I went back this summer.

More tracks = Better for fans
More tracks = Better for drivers
More tracks = tracks have to work harder for there $$$$$

[rb]

Crash, I agree with your comments about Roger. He was all over the place last weekend. He has the benefit of having a pretty large support staff behind him- something that the smaller tracks don't have. That probably makes it a bit easier for him to deal with drivers that are causing problems. In any case, you definitely knew who was in charge out there and based on what you reported, he wasn't afraid to send someone packing.

I am thoroughly impressed with the way Lowes manages their events. It beats everything else I've seen this year hands down. If more of the smaller "local" tracks would operate in a similar fashion, I can't see how they'd do anything other than improve across the board.

[Racerchaser]

I agree Jerry,lucky ,Crash and you,but theres no way anybody can compare Lowe's or Eldora to a local track unless they are willing to send a ton of money. Number one they need to get some big races on there schudale and get 90/ 110 cars in the pits. Roger had 82 super late models last weekend. Man that makes it easy as anything to send a couple of cars home, but he damn sure don't tell Bloomquist, or Pearson or Frank or any of the big guys to pack their **** up and get out. As far as help goes, no one can run the whole show and that is where a lot of smaller
tracks fall far short. Every job and business has a above board support staff and everyone has got their assigned jobs to do to make the ship sail smooth.

my $.02



He has the benefit of having a pretty large support staff behind him- something that the smaller tracks don't have. That probably makes it a bit easier for him to deal with drivers that are causing problems. In any case, you definitely knew who was in charge out there and based on what you reported, he wasn't afraid to send someone packing.