6/13/2025
California RaceSaver Sprints
Let’s Bring Racing Back to Its Glory Days And Make It Even Better
Think back, 25 or 30 years ago, racing wasn’t just good… it was electric. Whether you were a fan of dirt, pavement, sprints, stocks, or mods, racing was thrilling, competitive, and accessible. So what made those days so memorable? And more importantly, how do we get back there?
I’ve been in and around motorsports my whole life, and while my opinion might not come with a trophy or a title, it’s shaped by experience, passion, and plenty of heartache. And if we want to revive what made racing great, there are three things we absolutely must tackle.
- Give Teams Back Their Freedom, Bring Back OPTIONS!
Racing used to be about innovation and competition, not just on the track, but in the pits, in the shops, and in the parts rooms. Teams had choices. You could pick the shocks, mounts, and brands that suited your budget, your driver, your setup style. That freedom fueled ingenuity, and it kept costs in check.
Fast forward to today? Series mandates are choking that spirit. A single manufacturer shock becomes the rule, which requires a specific mount or bracket. Now you're locked into a domino effect of costs, all for something your team may not even want or need. One supplier, one option, and suddenly prices skyrocket.
Where’s the competition between manufacturers? Where’s the variety that made racing unique and affordable?
If we want full pits and packed stands again, we have to give teams flexibility. Let them run what they can afford. Let them support the companies who support them. Mandating specific products doesn’t just kill creativity, it kills participation. When choices disappear, so do the cars.
- Check the Politics at the Pit Gate
Racing is supposed to be the escape, not another battlefield for opinions, egos, and online keyboard wars. Back when racing was booming, fans filled the stands shoulder-to-shoulder, cars stacked up in the pits, and nobody cared who was “right” online. We were too busy loving the action.
Today? Too many folks think just because they’ve raced a car, been to a few tracks, or read a rulebook, they know how to run a series or promote a show. Truth is, running racing behind the scenes is brutal work, and most people wouldn’t last a full season in those shoes.
The stress. The complaints. The constant pressure from all sides. It wears you down. And that’s why we see promoters and track owners walking away, not because they don’t care, but because they get burned out from the negativity.
Instead of dragging each other down, let’s appreciate the few who are still fighting to keep racing alive. We need fewer critics and more collaborators. More builders than bashers. Let’s respect the effort, or better yet, get involved and help.
- Back to Basics, Reignite the Passion
Why did we all fall in love with racing in the first place? The thrill. The noise. The community. It wasn’t about 20 divisions with 8-car features, it was about a show that left fans breathless and drivers proud.
We’ve overcomplicated things. Too many classes that look and sound the same confuse the casual fans. Most people can’t tell a 305 from a 410 at first glance. They just see sprint cars. So let’s give them variety! Mix it up. Pair winged sprints with door slammers. Throw in dwarfs, non-wing, whatever makes people sit up and say, “Wow, I didn’t expect that!”
Want to bring the crowds back? Entertain them! Great tracks and series know how to fill downtime with contests, music, giveaways, trivia, even drink specials. It doesn’t take a huge budget, just a little creativity and effort. Engage the fans, and they’ll come back, and they’ll bring friends.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to focus less on quantity and more on quality. Run three or four exciting, diverse classes. Make room for interaction. Build something memorable. Because racing, at its core, isn’t just about laps and checkered flags, it’s about people. It’s families, friendships, lifelong bonds forged in the dirt and the diesel fumes.
Let’s Fix It—Together
We’ve drifted from what made racing unforgettable. But the good news? We can get it back, with courage, with change, and with a deep respect for what the sport really is.
Bring back options.
Leave the politics at the gate.
Reignite the fire by returning to the basics.
Let’s stop just surviving. Let’s revive, rebuild, and race like it matters again, because it does. For the fans. For the teams. For the next generation watching from the stands.
This is our sport. Let’s take it back.
***I am Alicia Garges and I approve this message!
Article Credit: Alicia Garges
Submitted By: ALICIA GARGES
