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Many of the things that attracted them to the sport in the first place, the people they loved and the places that provided them with their first memories of the sport, have become victims of what they view as faux progress.
When the subject comes to increasing concentration of track ownership, some retro types gag. But many in the sport say that bigger may not only be better, but perhaps, best.
Time was, all NASCAR races were held on tracks owned by families or small-time promoters. But as the sport grew, and its economics mutated, track ownership began going corporate.
The two corporations that dominate the scene today — International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc. — were at one time mom-and-poppish themselves. But both started buying up other family-owned tracks and today, they have attained possession of all but three tracks on which the Sprint Cup series races.
Purists cringe at that. They cite the loss of personality and romance that they feel occurs when corporations get involved.
Driver Greg Biffle understands that kind of attitude and senses the change of attitude when a corporation takes over a track.
“Some of those places, you know who owns them and you know that they’re outside of that umbrella, just because they’re unique,” Biffle said. “Like Loudon (New Hampshire Motor Speedway) was and some of the other places.”
One of the “other places” Biffle referred to is Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. It is still owned by the family of Joseph Mattioli.
Brandon Igdalski, Mattioli’s grandson and president of the track, said he doesn’t know whether concentration of ownership is good or bad for the sport.
“But we are happy with where we are,” Igdalski said.
This week’s race is at Martinsville Speedway. On the schedule since 1949, the track is a half-mile oval located in the rural back country of Virginia. It had been in the hands of the family of H. Clay Earles until 2004. Then it was sold to ISC.
Martinsville is a favorite of purists who love its size, layout, racing, history and hot dogs.
Clay Campbell, Earles’ grandson, says his family, too, is happy with where it is.
“I think the ownership doesn’t matter as much as your values and the way you approach the families that come to your event,” Campbell said. “This track is not now owned by my family. We still have the same values, and we still approach things the way we did pre-ISC.”
Campbell, who serves as president of Martinsville Speedway, said he has a list of upgrades he would like to see made at the track. The list is lengthy and also costly. They include fan amenities and new safety features for drivers.
Campbell said the upgrades could only be made with corporate backing.
“You know,” Campbell said, “being president of this place before ISC and now, it’s much better now because if I have a problem, if I have an issue, all I’ve got to do is pick up a phone because nine times out of 10 somebody in this company has already experienced it and I can get an answer and I can get it resolved. So I think it’s much better now, and I think it’s the way to go, definitely.”
But is it the only way to go?
Biffle says no.
“I certainly think that independently owned tracks can prosper, certainly,” Biffle said. “I don’t think it needs to be inside those two large umbrellas that own a lot of the race tracks.”
Igdalski said his facility is constantly being pursued by potential new owners. They are wasting their time, he said.
“We started here in 1960, all three kids, seven grandkids and now two great-grandkids grew up here,” Igdalski said. “This is our life, the track, the fans, the sport are all part of our extended family. It is part of who we are.”
And, say the purists, part of what the sport is.
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