i was surprised at the low atten for the Duels last nite. When I was doing Speedwaeeks several years ago the Duels drew 80-90,000 +. With the painted seats and darkness it was hard to tell but I’d csuspect less then 20,000 attend the race. I’m interested in your thoughts as t9 what is going on. I have attended several of the night races at the track and do not care for them as much as the daytime races. I still attend as some Racing is better then no racing at all. They used to have 50 to 60 cars trying to make the race which created more drama as you had to race your way in. 

As a side I watched some on New Smyrna and East Bay 410’s on Monday and Tuesday and they didn’t have stellar crowds either.

I'm in Daytona   I hate to be " it used to be" guy, but it is pretty bad here. I will elaborate more on Monday from home. It's not good. 

Can't be too bad since both the grandstands and infield are sold out for Sunday 

I watched all of modified races from New Smyrna and was surprised at how few people were in the stands, kinda sad!

If you get the chance to eat at Louie's don't pass it up. 

https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=AFSCWO&PC=AFSC&q=louie%27s+pizza+daytona+beac

Inflation is high, but airfaire, hotels, rental cars etc have risen at a much higher rate than inflation. I think it has gotten to the point that it is out of reach for most people. I also believe that the majority of the people that go to the races are at or near retirement age and the fact their 401K's are tanking probably has them scared to spend right now. Hopefully things turn around soon and people can afford to go have fun again.

Once Stew was out last night, I turned off the truck race. He is the only reason I even tuned in to watch. If the trucks remained on the short tracks, I'd might have an interest.

NASCAR died with Dale 22 years ago today

I think it is because these races no longer mean as much as they use to. With 36 of the 40 drivers guaranteed to be in the race only 5 drivers trying to qualify for 4 spots . As far as starting spots in 500 miles it really does not mean much at Daytona. All you have to try and do is be on the lead lap on the last lap to have a shot at crossing the finish line first. Thats if you can get through the debris field . 

Viewing the crowd size at New Smyrna from the first/second turn camera is a bit deceiving. From that vantage point, the grandstand looks much smaller than it actually is. I was there 5 years ago on two nights to see the Florida sprints and tour mods in the Evans Memorial. I know I was asshole to elbow on both nights, and to me, the stands looked just as full for the major events this week. The stands for the NASCAR modified race last Saturday were packed, as it was for the Blewett Memorial Wednesday. 

Turned on the Xfinity race with very few laps remaining. The parts of the grandstand they showed quickly, did not look filled.