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An Alternative to NASCAR - Confessions of a Dirt Track Lover
2/20/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
My name is Dennis Michelsen and I am a Dirt Track Lover. (Hi Dennis, shouts the crowd at my support group) Yes folks I have something in common with Tony Stewart. OK since I also gained twenty pounds since Homestead I have two things in common with Tony Stewart! I love dirt track racing! The Chili Bowl Midget Car Nationals might have been the most thrilling race show I have ever seen. It has me pumped up to see more dirt racing in person this year! Yes NASCAR fans there is an alternative to NASCAR…just follow the NASCAR drivers to the dirt!
Characters Galore
In addition to the NASCAR stars that can be found from time to time at your favorite dirt track there are a ton of other characters that are also great racers! Tune into CLAMPED UP on RaceTalkRadio every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern and you will meet one more of the great stars of the dirt tracks as we get in their grill! (This week meet Pennsylvania Late Model driver Matt Lux) Some of the coolest nicknames are worn with pride by dirt track racers. Kid Rocket, Mister Smooth, the Sniper, the Million-Dollar Man, the Cruiser, and Hurricane are just a few of my favorite monikers. Check out the interview with veteran Late Model star Billy "Mister Smooth" Moyer on our archives and you get a sense for what racing means to these guys. Its not about million dollar homes it is all about racing! You will find characters galore and real racers at your local dirt track.
NASCAR Invaders Welcome
Fans complain all the time about the "Claim Jumpers," Cup drivers racing and dominating in the Nationwide Series. You would think that moaning would be even louder at your local dirt track when the NASCAR invaders are in town. But since the NASCAR stars don't out spend the local guys they are accepted into the fraternity! Stroll through the back gate and you will see Tony Stewart, Kenny Schrader, Kenny Wallace, and others from NASCAR sharing the racing experience with the local stars. Do you think your favorite NASCAR driver is spoiled? Watch him run to the fence to watch the next heat race after racing in his and you get it right away. Get them away from the NASCAR circus and they are like kids again enjoying racing for the fun of racing! Everyone is welcome at the local short track…even the NASCAR invaders!
It Ain't Fancy
Don't expect to find a shrimp Caesar's salad at your local short track! The suites ain't full of luxury if they exist at all! You are likely to get pelted in the face by a few clods of dirt or go home covered in red dust! The average NASCAR fan that has never visited an asphalt short track let alone a dirt track might think they walked into some foreign land left untouched by the progress of modern technology. Maybe you won't even understand all that is taking place that first visit. But if you love racing you are likely to fall in love with your local short track! Perhaps you will root for a guy or gal because of the cool paint job at first. But you will go home with a story about that dirt track demon that hung it right on the edge to win their feature event! It ain't fancy but it is real racing!
More is Better
NASCAR is alive and well and put on a terrific show at Daytona! But since I always think more is better I can't wait until my local short track opens for business when we finally thaw out. Yes race fans there is an alternative or an addition to NASCAR! If you are curious about dirt track racing because your favorite driver is moonlighting in the mud that is great! Welcome to the club! But if you are complaining that riches today spoil NASCAR drivers or that NASCAR doesn't understand you or appreciate you then head on down to your local dirt track. Bring some safety glasses if you want to get real close. You might end up tasting your new favorite track! More is better so give me NASCAR, ARCA, ASALMS, and WOO. Any place that Ken Schrader feels at home is alright with me! I confess race fans I am addicted to dirt track racing! I love my NASCAR but there is an alternative if you do want to turn back the clock to the old days. Get down and dirty and support your local dirt track!
RaceTalkRadio offers two shows for dirt racing fans hosted by RPM Racing News' CJ Swank and RTR's Dennis Michelsen! CLAMPED UP is featured every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern and covers National Dirt Racing. (Dave Seay from Dirt Nation and late model pilot Matt Lux are featured tonight) GETTING DIRTY with CJ SWANK is featured every Thursday night at 830pm Eastern covering the Northeast Dirt Racing scene.
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