Dear Oswego

While being perplexed by the seemingly careless public relations of my beloved Oswego Speedway & wondering how to take this negative & turn it into a positive, I chose to write this open letter to Steve Gioia.

We had a lot of new fans in the stands last night.  I know of two couples that were direct carry overs from Thursday nights USAC show and I’m sure there were more.  I’m not going to get into the bashing although I was very disturbed by the heavy hand that was used.  But I will say it is my fear that many of those people were left with a bad taste in their mouth for a variety of reasons.  I won’t even touch the issue of the Classic purse getting cut as that’s a whole other subject that will take me more time to figure out how to turn it into a positive.  It’s easy to sit back and bitch, and amongst friends, maybe it’s even a little fun to get shit off your chest.  But the reality is, as I have always said, it’s only bitching if you don’t offer up probable solutions to the negative.  I’ve got a few ideas and I’m sure you do as well.  Check out the question of the week below and offer up those comments.  I’m not afraid to help you have your say, but try to be objective and relate it to your personal experiences without turning it into a tit for tat pissin’ match.

Steve,

I am not writing this to complain or bitch about what is going on since last night. I know you are tired of hearing what the track did wrong. I could add to that list, as I heard plenty from new and old fans alike. Rather than join in with the crowd, I’d just like to say a couple things.

First of all, I want to tell you that this year will be my 25th Classic. My father and I are planning a pretty good party to celebrate. This racetrack has meant so very much to me even before I came here. Take some time to read the bio on my webpage and you’ll understand that while I don’t have the history here that you and your family does, my life has essentially revolved around supermodified racing and especially Oswego Speedway. I am not ashamed to say that I cry at the start of Classic every year because I am overwhelmed with the emotion of all the things that Oswego Speedway means to me and my father. Kinda stupid I know. But my point is that I have a passion for the supers and the O and I sometimes become frustrated when it seems that I will lose a place that has given me so much.

I don’t think I have to tell you that I am not unique in my love of this speedway. I think that most of the people who come here are much like my father and me. I grew up in the midwest going to dirt and pavement short tracks watching everything from 55 chevy’s at IRP run the Hobby Stock class to being at one of the first World of Outlaw shows ever held in 1978 at Eldora Speedway. Across this country I will tell you that there is not a race track that has a more dedicated and loyal following than the one you are a part of. These fans are the most knowledgeable in all of short track racing and also the hardest to please because they are such a small part of a small niche’ in racing. Yet, I think they all want to help perpetuate the legend that is Oswego Speedway.

With that being said, there comes a point where even the most die hard fan will tire of being a part of a what is perceived to be a sinking ship. They will sing from the highest rooftops about the glory days of this track for you.  But when they start having rotten tomatoes thrown at them by detractors, even they will find it hard to keep singing. They will finally step down from their stage when they no longer feel appreciated by the owners of the opera house. That fan is the one that you need the most so that they will spread the good word about your track.  Even some of those people are now feeling alienated and used. It would be easy to say “screw them all they do is bitch, piss and moan,” write them off and figure that someone else will fill their place.  From the things I hear, the perception is that this is already being done.  The hard thing to do is to somehow find a way to lend them an ear, understand what they are saying, and offer up probable and practical solutions to their issues while still standing your ground on what you believe needs to be done as a track owner.  It’s not easy I’m sure.  But it can be done.

I also am thinking that maybe I don’t know anymore who or what to believe.  I am beginning to wonder if there really is anyone up there that cares what I or anyone else thinks when they walk through those gates onto those hallowed grounds.  I would like to believe that you and Pat have as much love for this track as people like my father and I do.  I’d like to think that maybe it’s just some burnout from all the stress of running a race track that makes it seem to many like their concerns fall on deaf ears.  I know there are many, many people that would complain if you gave them a new rope to hang by.  But I also know that there are 10 times that many who aren’t complaining but are just going to walk away because they aren’t being heard.  There are fans who want to help spread the gospel and they keep trying even though in the back of their minds they are wondering many of the same things I am.  I wonder if you would feel the excitement of 20 US Naval Cadets as they slid down into the Strong 99 race car and were introduced to Joey Payne, Jerry Curran, and Daniel Connors.  To not only feel the great pride of this Nation and what these kids are signing on to do as a service to people like you and me, but also that they may someday want to come back and tell their friends that they learned something about teamwork and co-operation from our teams and fans.  I want to tell people that you, Pat and all the other employees of the track think it’s pretty cool that 3 new people who had never been to Oswego, came up to me to ask about the cars and what part did what, and that you too would be just as willing to spend 10 minutes or even 30 if that’s what it took to explain these exotic beasts that consume our lives.  I want to believe that all of you who have a hand in running Oswego Speedway can grasp and embrace the beauty of young kids getting a piece of candy then posing next to a race car while their picture is taken by their parent who is grinning from ear to ear because their kid is happy.  You remember being there at one point don’t  you?

Steve, I firmly think that Oswego Speedway is bigger than anyone person.  I believe that we all have a hand in the success of it.  I know that we all, from owners, drivers, workers, to fans, need to take a vested interest in it’s survival if we are to be so brash as to bring up customer service, the speed of the show, and the cost to attend.  I don’t claim to understand what you and Pat have to go through on a daily basis or the financial burden and stress you have to deal with.  I will say though, that there are simple, cost effective ways that can be used to make life a little more simple.  There have been many many articles written about and by successful short track promoters that have found unique and exciting ways to promote their track yet still stay financially solvent and keep the fans AND teams happy.  There are a lot of bright minds willing to lend a hand.  There are a TON of intelligent people who already have tried.

The first thing you have to do in my opinion is smile.  Everyone who works for you and with you has to SMILE and say thank you.  Remember that this week as you all take the hits for some business decisions, that while were maybe unavoidable, were still PERCEIVED to be rude and disrespectful.  Put the thick skin on, smile, and change the perception that nobody cares.  It’s time to shake some hands and kiss some babies.  It can be done.  It won’t be easy, but it can be done.

“Keep It Wing Side Up and Wheels to the Ground”, Bobby G.

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