[btrc]

I'm just getting back into racing after being out of it for 27 years but I remember I always thought the change from open to enclosed really changed the sport. I raced in modified for years and remember the nights in the motel lots changing motors, rear ends, etc. It would be like a car show with locals cruising the lots. Lots of fun. I suppose now the same happens but it is just the competitors around that stay in the pits. Of course by the time I got out we were using a big, at the time, 5th wheel trailer too.
When we started on the new car last year I swore it would be with an open trailer but for practicality and security I suppose we will end up with an enclosed trailer but I still miss the open trailers.
The other thing I remember that really cut down the spectators around here was when the gas prices went up in the late 70s or 80s. Our local track went from many spectators to hardly any. Cars and racers used to come hundreds of miles and then they just stopped.