Dear Abby

[Boneman]

Dear Abby,
One of my kids has gone wrong, and I need some advice. I've tried to be a good parent, and after a lifetime of racing, we have been an open wheel family for the last 3 years: sprint cars, 4 wheelers, karts for the kids.... But last night at East Bay, my youngest turned to me and said, "Dad, I really like those late models. They are even cooler than sprints!"

Naturally my heart sank. What could have caused this? Do you think it is just a phase he'll grow out of, or maybe some sort of rebellion? Do you think he is hanging out with the wrong sort of friends? Maybe it was something he was taught in that common core math?

Today he is making cardboard fenders for his bike, so the situation is urgent. Any advice would be appreciated.

signed, a concerned dad

[backrow]

Embrace this new found love.... Dirt Late Model are great. God Bless him.

[OldSchool+]

Let's be thankful it ain't drifting he is leaning towards.

Annnnnnnnnnd, let's assume the little feller follows in your footsteps.

I can appreciate your bravery, but what do you want your kid to be sitting in if there is a "bad" crash?

Gonna have to agree with backrow on this one.

And eat your bran!

signed, Dear Flabby

[ScottPrentice]

Full fields, side by side racing, plenty of fans and tracks, articulated rear ends.... what's not to love? and besides, they're basically just sprint cars with bodies on them nowadays.

[al_tere_go_05]

theres no hope for you boneman. its only a matter of time when he finds out about the starter, clutch, and transmission.

[Old Sunshine Fan]

Dear "a concerned dad"

Your concern is reality of life, family and team spirit.... however, it needs to be expanded (your concern) to include your other off-spring as well....while the little one was informing you of his new found love of LM's.... the other family member was getting all excited when he found out EB has a two-seater LM that is used for ride-alongs (5 laps for $100 or so)... he said "Man, I'd love to do that....that would be Great....that's something I could see me doing"... (perhaps an upcoming birthday gift)...

So "a concerned dad"... you have double concerns to deal with as your family expands their love of this great sport... whatever the outcome, you are the proud papa of some super great youngens....

Signed..............Observer .............(OSF)

[egspeedway]

Take him to a mile and a half NASCAR race,make him watch the whole thing even if you go get a beer at the concession stand. I can assure you he will never again want to see a race car with fenders. For what its worth you sound like an excellent parent trying to guide your children down the right path.

[kletus]

Don't worry Bone; once he loses his hair he will lose the fenders too. JUST LIKE DAD.

[ModelCarMan]

It was nice talking to you last night Boneman!

Surprise your son is picking latemodels over sprints after last nights racing with the track so one grooved, on the bottom only!

Never saw the track that way in a LONG time.

But he may be choosing latemodels after the track had to get the cop on the track to get the #3 sprint off the track????

[RSB]

Dirt Lates rule!

[al_tere_go_05]

after you take him to the nascar race you can take him to an indy race and he'll never want to see open wheel racing either. Perhaps boats might be the answer?

[Jimmy McKinley]

Wait'll he see the Dream and the World at Eldora. And Pennsboro reopening. And....and....

:P

[UREZ2PASS]

Don't worry about a young man's appreciation of any kind of racecar. Worry if he ever says "That's a nice purse Dad" while walking through the mall.

[rdv69]

Rex maybe its time that you look for the open wheel fix for him fendered car really. Just to let you know Nikki told me she would also like to drive a dirt late Model I don't know were that came from since she races open wheel now. You should of come by the pit and have him look at her car

[Winger]

Dear Dad,
You should be proud. It is the wish of every Dad that their offspring be smarter and do better, than themselves. It appears your little one is already smarter, you can only pray he does better.
Abby