Bobby Fatica showed my wife my latest blog ten minutes after posting it, while they were on break at work.   Bobby thinks I can't let go of the past, and my wife thinks I'm better off to keep my opinions to myself.   "Get over it", she said.   However, I would like to voice my opinions.   I've waited a long time to see improvements, giving the powers to be ample time to get back on track.  The future is always dependent on the past.

I thought of a good analogy...remember Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol?  You know Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge, and those three scary ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.   Well, if 'ol Ebenezer (Jason and Jimmy) don't listen to the ghosts of the PAST (myself), PRESENT (you all), and FUTURE (depends on them)....... Tiny Tim (the track) and Bob Cratchit (us)...well, no one is going to like the outcome of the story.

Note to the Web Administrator.  Show everyone you care about Painesville Speedway.  Updating data on the website should be your first priority every morning.  The internet is a great tool to promote your track!  Here it is Tuesday PM, and you're still advertising last week's event.  If you are too busy to be bothered with the work, hand over the responsibility to someone who cares.

  The camper pull guarantees a good crowd at Painesville Speedway, as well as a long line at the concessions stand.  Good to hear that Robert Summers #47 is behind the wheel of his 1979 Oldsmoboret again.  This car has been around for eighteen seasons.  Hopefully more veterans come back, bringing their loyal fans with them.  However, with all the ROCKETS in the Detroit Iron division, how many will come back to compete, when they get lapped in their old Trophy Stock cars?    Same car in two divisions?    Breaking below the fourteens in qualifying time, and still being able to compete in a division that Summers, the Campbells, the Bees, the O'Donnells, the Lettes, and countless others (not currently racing) helped build and set the standards of what a true Trophy Stock division is?  (I know...track management changed the name to Detroit Iron)   Will the days of five heats and three features in this division return? 

Yes, this was a good night of spectator attendance, as it should be every Saturday night, as it was every night of the 1998 season.  One good night doesn't pay the bills however.   Reality will probably return with this week's regular program, and the crickets will probably drown out the sound of the race cars.   Next good crowd should be the Roll-Over contest.

Hats off to the many drivers who compete here on a weekly basis.  You are keeping this place alive.  Pass the word to your neighbors and friends to come out and fill the stands.  Persuade the pilots not competing to dust off those cars sitting in the barn or at the shop and bring them back out.  Let your voices be heard to management, and demand reform.      Mark Allen

Painesville Speedway's heart has not stopped beating. I do not believe that anyone has signed a DNR order (Do Not Resuscitate)  I do know that the racing community is alive and well, and waiting patiently for things to turn around.  It has been nearly four seasons since major changes occurred at our home track. Sure, sometimes change is good, if things are thought out and brought into play gradually.  However, change was wholesale and immediate.  The racing community was thrown into a state of shock.  Basically people do not like change.  Racers and fans were comfortable with the racing program that slowly evolved, starting in the late eighties.  Families had a Saturday night destination!  Granted the economy has made all of us suffer, but a parking lot full of cars, standing room only, and the pits a buzz of activity, can still be a reality.  At this point, wholesale changes must occur once again.  The clock should be set to an earlier time.  Pick any year in the late 90's through 2004.  Get out that year's rule book used back then and use it.  Roll back admission price and pit fees to family friendly pricing.  Painesville Speedway was a viable business, and could be once again.  Everything must be re-evaluated. Not only should the racing program  be restored to a sensible time, but all other aspects of the business should be reaccessed.  I know without a doubt that Painesville speedway can be revived.  One thing (of many) I've noticed is the ridiculous policy of restricting food brought onto the speedway grounds.  You must purchase all food and drink at the speedway.  I know how stupid this policy is...Families with a bunch of kids need the freedom of brown bagging.  Everyone is on a budget.  Some either have a choice not to go to the races, or go home hungry and parched.  In the good ol' days, the concessions did not suffer, and many a racing fan relished a Big Mama!  I am glad this forum was made available to vent.  The right people didn't desire to listen to suggestions and reason.  They made the choice to follow the advise of their race director.  Unfortunately for everyone that loves racing, he doesn't know much...and even less about racing.  Mark Allen