Less can be more...

When I was a kid in the 19—s, well let’s say a few years ago, I couldn’t wait for race season to start. As far I was concerned, racing could start at the beginning of May and then go to September and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Of course, I was not paying the bills – my dad paid my way in for many years (and paid for the gas to get to the track), and I wasn’t a car owner/driver who spent a lot of time and money keeping their cars on the track.

My attitude on that has changed. I now believe less is more.

Hear me out, please.

First, I think we need less classes. I say this a lot because it’s an issue I feel strongly about in racing. There are too many classes, and too many classes fans just aren’t that into or interested in. What those classes are depends on the person, I suppose and I have mine, too that I won’t get into.

But I am talking about racetrack schedules here. I am thinking smaller schedules and a shorter season might be the way to go in today’s climate

Here is why I think this.

--Cost. Costs are going up, and if this Iran war cluster continues, oil prices, some predict, could hit $200 a barrel. Which means gas prices will skyrocket by early summer. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. But if you add increased fuel costs to an already expensive sport where the costs keep climbing out of control, well, maybe having less shows would ease the burden on the pocketbook (and sponsors). Along those lines, it costs fans money to drive to the track, too.

--Time. More and more people take some weekends off in the summer. Vacations. WE Fest. Weddings. Family reunions. Baptisms. Kids in youth sports (some folks I know are gone every weekend in the summer with youth sports).  Town celebrations. There is a lot of competition for people’s time, and maybe taking a weekend off if a local town has a celebration doesn’t hurt.

--Leave people wanting more. The Netflix model for most shows is 8-10 episodes per season. If you have ever binge-watched a season of your favorite show like me, and the season ends, often you are saying “I wish the season was longer.” Maybe having less shows would add more appeal for fans to come back each week, knowing there aren’t that many nights to begin with.

--Maybe everyone just needs a break. When we get into the hot, humid days of the summer, and it is July, folks began getting burned out. That includes drivers and pit crews but that also includes track promoters and workers. Taking a night off might refresh those folks a bit and recharge their batteries.

I don’t think running a 20-show summer is the way to go, and most tracks that I cover do not venture near that. Almost every track I cover has built-in nights off during the season, and I think that’s a good think. A few weekly diehards might object, and to that, I say maybe you find another track in your region to check out.

Speaking of 2026, here is a list of scheduled openers at several tracks. I don’t know how often I’ll make it to Devils Lake, Bemidji, Fiesta City or Madison so I won’t include them but it’s possible I may cover some events at those tracks. My scheduled first night of the season will be on May 1 at I-94 EMR Speedway.

I-94 EMR Speedway – May 1

Norman County Raceway – May 8

River Cities Speedway – May 8

Casino Speedway – May 10

Viking Speedway – May 16

Sheyenne Speedway – May 17

Buffalo River Speedway – May 17

Red River Valley Speedway – May 22

Jamestown – May 23