Just curious what do people consider good car counts and good racing nowadays? Not bringing up stories from back in the day…I was there,I know what it was like then but what is everyone happy with now?I hear stories talking about good racing with 7 car fields and 1 to 2,3 at the most cars racing for the lead while the rest are spread out or getting lapped.
15-20 cars makes a field. At least 1/4 of them need to be capable of running somewhat well. Anyone getting lapped 5 times doesn’t count.
Great question. I also remember the back in the day stories where you had more cars failing to qualify for a race and heading home then you have in total at a most tracks today. To me, a great or good race is one where the drivers and cars make you forget about the car count during the race. I like to see 16-24 cars per division but that’s pretty much a dream at this point. Given today’s circumstances with local racing I would have to say last night at NSS pretty much satisfied my standard for good racing in today’s market. Although low in car counts the racing action for the lead was nothing short of fantastic in all the divisions. Lap after lap of drivers vying for the lead made it a great night for viewing some high speed racing among some of the top competitors in the state. A play on recent Tony Stewart words…The sport is called racing and not car counting…
I think that this is exactly what the original poster is talking about…
Have you been to a dirt track lately? Volusia has full fields of late models every week.The support classes all have enough cars for multiple heats.
I checked out NSS last night because Volusia rained out.Other than the sprint cars that had 15 cars and put on a good show (drawing a very large crowd) the rest of the show was pathetic with 8 car fields.Listening to those seated around me,most felt the same.To me,a 2 car battle for 35 laps with the rest of the field strung out is not a good show.
I consider 15+ car features with multiple heats a good show these days…With Orlando being rained out I expected bigger car counts.
In my opinion you should have at least 10 to 15 in a race but if they are not competitive (having at least a chance at the top 3) I don’t care how many there are if you can’t or don’t race to win you are not racing you are just making laps.
Some people state the economy is the reason for low car counts, but look at Volusia and East Bay… those car owners are living in the same economy as everyone else (perhaps it’s cheaper racing in the lower classes, but the higher classes have full fields at both tracks)… just saying…OSF
True about the dirt tracks. Took a trip to Lake City and N Fl Speedway earlier this year and there was 85-90 cars in five divisions. Volusia, East Bay, and Ocala have always had fine fields at the events I attended. Here was a big surprise to me for asphalt tracks. I attended a Friday event at Ace Speedway in NC the season before last, and the modified field had 7 entrants. Went To Bowman-Gray for a 150 lapper the same week-end and they had a full field of 24 mods. Same type tour cars at both places. The Bowman event was a follow the leader race as the drivers were point racing while the 7 car field at Ace put on one heck of a show with much passing, etc. Every driver at Ace wanted to win while the Bowman drivers on their particular night wanted points only. Sure I like to see more cars , such as I did at the FUPS 125 at Citrus awhile back, but I am also thankful for those that show with their cars to put on a show for everyone. Now where I sat at NSS the fans were all very happy with the evening’s racing. We were amazed at how few fans left early. Most did seem to have a good time at the track.
Tell that to the strictly stock drivers 
Much like todays piss poor economy,I think many get lulled into thinking what is now the “new normal” is acceptable…that includes track promoters and owners