I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel a little disrespect coming from down South towards us “Yankees.” They think they’re so wonderful? How come every time we match up on the racetrack (PASS South, North-South Shootout, etc.) we hand them their butts? And yet how often does a driver from up here get a REAL shot at driving a Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck racecar?

Yes, I know about Joey Logano. But he might just be the exception that proves the rule. Did he head south to make his mark because he knew if he did it up here no one would give him the chance that he’s currently taking advantage of to prove he’s one of the best young drivers in the country? Is he really that much better than Bobby Santos, or Derek Ramstrom, or Randy Cabral, or a dozen other “Yankees?”

Do you think he is? Do you think those Sprint Cup kids who keep losing their rides are on a different level than the best young local talent? Or do you think ya gotta be a good ole’ boy to get a real shot at NASCAR stardom?

So you’ve just been left with a racetrack in your uncle’s will. Now is the chance to introduce that one perfect racing division you’ve always dreamed about.

What would it be? And don’t say “I’d have pro stocks.” Use a little imagination. What needs of racers – or fans – aren’t being met by any existing division?

Or tour. It can be a touring series if that’s what you have in mind.  Would it be a new low-buck series? Or something more exotic than has ever hit a shorttrack? Does it take advantage of some potent engine being used by an auto manufacturer – or in a motorcycle? Is it a “mini” version of some other series?

Give us your thoughts. Hey, it’s your racetrack now.

For example, I’ve pondered over the years a mini-late model-type division powered by Ford’s ubitquitous SOHC 4 in either 2.0 or 2.3 configuration. There are tons out there as well as various OEM street-performance components Ford has utilized over the years that could be built up into a decent racing engine, dropped in a Legacy-type custom-built car.

But that’s just an example. What’s your idea?

Hello dear readers/bloggers/whatever:

We’ve just wrapped up the May/June issue of Shorttrack which should be in your hot little hands by the end of April. I won’t spill the bag about what’s in this issue yet, but I will share with you the issue’s issue for you to consider and comment on.

With the state of the art in road cars being so far removed from the racetrack, I’m wondering what influence the former should have on the latter.

Compact cars are set to re-emerge as the typical ride in America today. I’m talking four-cylinder, fuel injection, front-wheel-drive – and small. These cars weren’t exactly ignored at shorttracks. Many mini-stock-type roadrunner divisions utilized such cars as mini-beaters. But late models still are the headliner at most racetracks. These cars are based on technology that was stagnating 20 years ago.  Should the current high-end in the state of the stockcar art be based on essientially 1950s technology?

Is there a place for front-wheel-drive in stock car racing? How about four cylinders? Or independent suspension? Fuel injection?

Or should all that be ignored in favor of preserving the purity of racing traditions and sport itiself. After all, people didn’t start parking their racehorses after cars became the transportation norm. Well, some did. I guess that’s how auto racing got started.

 Anyway, the forum is yours. Let’s hear what you think.

In every issue of Shorttrack Magazine, we plan to ask a question and ask you to respong here in the Shorttrack blog. THe question for March/April is this: Do you prefer the controlled-competiton approach of the American/Canadian Tour or the more open rules of the Pro All-Star Series super late-models?

No, I won’t chime in on this one. I leave that to you. C’mon, get a discussion going.