All American 400 may be finished

[AlkyMadness]

Today could be the day the music died for asphalt super late models.

The All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds was postponed last weekend due to weather. It was going to be run the weekend of November 21/22. Today, it was announced that the race will not be re-scheduled and that racing may be finished for good at the old Fairgrounds track.

This race and this track was an institution to paved super late model racing. I don't know if any of you ever got to see a race in person at Nashville, but it was impressive.

Perhaps the track can be saved by a miracle, but this track's been getting by on miracles for the last several years. First Birmingham goes down, now Nashville. At least we still have the Snowball at Five Flags.

[corey17]

the CRA officials are trying to schedule the event for the first of next year, they want someone to be able to say the won the last 400 there, since this one was pulled out from under them. This weekends 125 lap super race at the North South Shootout is benefiting greatly from it, i expect 40 cars with some of the best drivers in the country there

[rtmfan]

I agree I think entry list for the cra slm race at ns shootout this weekend is looking great! Hate Nashville is shutting down but we have been hearing it for the last few years.

[AlkyMadness]

Let's not forget that Memphis Motorsports Park is also closing after the Kings Ransom 300 is run.

I think you are a bit optimistic with the 40+ car count at the N/S. As of yesterday, they've got 26 entries. Looking at the list, I can only think of a couple more names that would probably enter (Hantz), so I'm looking for 30-32 cars. Which is still very good for a $5000 to win support show. If it wasn't for the CRA and the fact that I've never watched the TBARA, I'd be across town watching the WoO.

Pavement SLM is getting pretty weak in the middle part of the country (NC included). It's strong in the deep south with Florida, Alabama and part of Georgia. And it's strong in the upper Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan), but it's gotten real weak in the middle. And the loss of tracks like Nashville and Memphis only continue to hurt it.

Years ago, the mid-Atlantic decided to run with the weaker, less-interesting LMSC. I just can't get into those cars. Watched them a bunch, but other than the Baileys 300, I don't care to see them anymore. I'll save my money to go up North and watch the Outlaw late models in the Main Event Series or the CRA.

[corey17]

"Less-interesting LMSC cars?" Wow, I guess you have never been to a UARA event, as every one of them are exciting, the best and most exciting series in this region. There are other good tracks around with great LMSC racing, Ace, Motor Mile, but all tracks have boring events. The PASS series usually has good events, but even those can be downright dreadful at times, South Boston comes to mind. As far as the entries for the Shootout, they never know exactly how many will show up ever, I know about 8 other Supers that will be there that aren't on the list, but we'll see, either way, should be a great show.

[NCMudcat]

I'm with Alky on this one as far as the LMSC, but Corey and I have disagreed for some time on that. Regardless of that, the supers on asphalt just aren't a big thing here for some reason. PASS is trying, but success hasn't reached a huge level as far as entries or fans. Asphalt racing, with the current status of supers and modifieds in the Carolinas area, has pretty much lost me indefinitely with the USAR and UARA divisions being exceptions.

As far as this thread, losing the All American 400 is terrible, but it will resurface elsewhere. Just like the Dirt Track World Championship, it did not die when Pennsboro Speedway went away. Question is, where do you move it and find the success it had in Nashville?

And I love the supers on asphalt, but the North-South Shootout was, and should be, a modified event, period. JMO.

[corey17]

In recent years, I would have agreed with you about the Shootout only needing to be a modified event, but now I think this is really a good idea. Attendance, while still very strong, has declined the last two years at the Shootout. You will still have your modified regulars there this year, but now the Supers will bring in a whole new bunch of fans that would not be there otherwise.

As far as the All-American 400, while still prestigious, the crowd has been non-existent the past few years. I don't know what it is, but it seems if that region has just gotten burnt out on either the racing or more than likely the fairgrounds itself, as all events there are poorly attended. The PASS series is growing here, I thought it would fail, but the car counts have been strong and it looks as if more LMSC guys will be making the switch over next year, it simply is just wayyy cheaper to run a Super than a Late-Model. The UARA is looking amazingly for strong next year also, between them, PASS, and USAR, those 3 look to see the biggest growth they have ever had in their series for next season.

[rtmfan]

Originally Posted by corey17

In recent years, I would have agreed with you about the Shootout only needing to be a modified event, but now I think this is really a good idea. Attendance, while still very strong, has declined the last two years at the Shootout. You will still have your modified regulars there this year, but now the Supers will bring in a whole new bunch of fans that would not be there otherwise.

As far as the All-American 400, while still prestigious, the crowd has been non-existent the past few years. I don't know what it is, but it seems if that region has just gotten burnt out on either the racing or more than likely the fairgrounds itself, as all events there are poorly attended. The PASS series is growing here, I thought it would fail, but the car counts have been strong and it looks as if more LMSC guys will be making the switch over next year, it simply is just wayyy cheaper to run a Super than a Late-Model. The UARA is looking amazingly for strong next year also, between them, PASS, and USAR, those 3 look to see the biggest growth they have ever had in their series for next season.

It will be great especially to see a good field of supers at the ns shootout at concord because people didnt see any this year there, think they averaged 5 cars a race so whether it be 26 or 40 it will be great.

PASS is growing always been huge in the north but now guys like Jay Fogelman,Alex Yontz,Andy Loden etc. bought cars and it only looks to get bigger only question is finding right tracks. I see they moved their sobo race next year to August which should be a whole lot better. Also heard they are running at Gresham motorsports park.

[AlkyMadness]

Originally Posted by corey17

"Less-interesting LMSC cars?" Wow, I guess you have never been to a UARA event, as every one of them are exciting, the best and most exciting series in this region. There are other good tracks around with great LMSC racing, Ace, Motor Mile, but all tracks have boring events. The PASS series usually has good events, but even those can be downright dreadful at times, South Boston comes to mind. As far as the entries for the Shootout, they never know exactly how many will show up ever, I know about 8 other Supers that will be there that aren't on the list, but we'll see, either way, should be a great show.

Yes, less interesting. And if you think every UARA race is exciting, then you are easily excited. I went to one at Hickory earlier this year and it was the Paddy Roddenback run away for 150 laps. That was THE most boring race I've watched in years. I was really pissed at myself for passing up a dirt track race to go to that. The race at Dillon was pretty good, but that's because Dillon is an excellent track that was created by a former Super Late Model driver.

Motor Mile, last LMSC race I saw there was another snoozer. Isn't that where Morris wins all the time so that he can win the National title? Ace is the exception because they actually have fight for the groove there, but gee, car counts are down and so is fan interest. And let's not even begin to talk about the boring train races at Caraway.

No more LMSC races for me.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by corey17

In recent years, I would have agreed with you about the Shootout only needing to be a modified event, but now I think this is really a good idea. Attendance, while still very strong, has declined the last two years at the Shootout. You will still have your modified regulars there this year, but now the Supers will bring in a whole new bunch of fans that would not be there otherwise.

As far as the All-American 400, while still prestigious, the crowd has been non-existent the past few years. I don't know what it is, but it seems if that region has just gotten burnt out on either the racing or more than likely the fairgrounds itself, as all events there are poorly attended. The PASS series is growing here, I thought it would fail, but the car counts have been strong and it looks as if more LMSC guys will be making the switch over next year, it simply is just wayyy cheaper to run a Super than a Late-Model. The UARA is looking amazingly for strong next year also, between them, PASS, and USAR, those 3 look to see the biggest growth they have ever had in their series for next season.

Let's face it, the only reason you have a super late model race is because the ASA Southeast tour was bringing TV coverage to the table.

I'd rather see them put the extra money in the mod purse so that it would draw even more of the teams. Or, put up the money for the super-mods again. Wouldn't need to be an East/West challenge. It could be just a MSA/Oswego deal like they have going on.

I agree that the N/S should be a mod only event. As far as the crowd, it was hurt by the World Finals at Lowes. I know some will disagree with me, but the promoter at N/S could help by streamlining the show. The first year, the vintage mods were excellent. In recent years, they've started to wane. It usually gets damn cold down there by the river, and there has been a lot of time wasted running races for only a handful of cars. People come to see the tour type mods, super mods, SK mods. Maybe one vintage feature. That's enough.

---------- Post added at 04:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 PM ----------

As far as this thread, losing the All American 400 is terrible, but it will resurface elsewhere. Just like the Dirt Track World Championship, it did not die when Pennsboro Speedway went away. Question is, where do you move it and find the success it had in Nashville?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but there is a difference. Pennsboro was a $hithole. Great for the backwoods Woodstock atmosphere, but poor as a racing facility.

On the other hand, Nashville is a great racing facility (long as it doesn't flood). Side by side racing all the way around. Along with the classic fairgrounds, covered grandstand appeal. The All American 400 should not be moved. It should belong only to Nashville. They can run another race if they want somewhere else, but call it something else.

As far as attendance, the location hurts. It's in a bad neighborhood and it's not a place people care to be after dark (at least that's what locals have told me, didn't look that bad last time I was there).

The second reason for lagging attendance is that Nashville has become like Asheville: full of yuppies, freaks and liberals. Not a place for Outlaws anymore. They see racing as bad, evil, redneck and environmentally unfriendly. They will probably succeed in shutting down the track there just like they shut down Asheville years ago. The One World crowd only has tolerance for their own. If you differ from their views, you can go find another world.