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What to do about Kevin Ingrahm? I've seen a total of two 75 lap SLM races at Auburndale, and he has been stirring up the controversy in both events. He's been sent to the back a few times, black-flagged, DQ'd, yet he has passed more cars than anyone else.
If you throw a guy like this out, you will also lose most of the passing, and a great deal of your show. Like him or not, you gotta admit that he is very fast at Auburndale; he is aggressive and is willing to pull out all the stops to get to the front. This type of driver does not come to the track to make friends, so naturally he tends to get the competition stirred up.
Remember, this is based on the TWO races I've seen there. I don't even know the guy.
So what does a track do? Instead of throwing him out, I propose the track capitalizes on the brand of excitement that he brings to the show. Hence the "Kevin Ingrahm Prize Pinata".
Start by having the announcer give him a good nick-name. "Bulldozer" comes to mind. Then the announcer works the angle to the fans that everyone is ticked off at him, and that the race is like Kevin versus the whole field.
Now things get silly. Hang up a big old basket near the starters stand. Have it full of treats like candy, or certificates for a free ice-cream cone at the concession. Let the fans know that IF Kevin gets sent to the rear of the field, the prize pinata opens and the treats for the fans come spilling out. I bet some of them would like it and maybe, just maybe, they would get more excited and interested in the race. Yes, the fans like controversy and problems, BUT the officials can't encourage it. Behind the scenes they have to let the drivers know that the same rules apply as always.
So there is my dumb idea of the day. I don't mean for it to tick anyone off. I respect the guys ability at that track, but also understand the frustration of his competitors. Matbe he would like the added attention, or maybe not. Again, I don't pretend to know Kevin at all.
By the way, if there are no incidents, open the pinata and give the stuff out to the fans anyhow.
If you throw a guy like this out, you will also lose most of the passing, and a great deal of your show. Like him or not, you gotta admit that he is very fast at Auburndale; he is aggressive and is willing to pull out all the stops to get to the front. This type of driver does not come to the track to make friends, so naturally he tends to get the competition stirred up.
Remember, this is based on the TWO races I've seen there. I don't even know the guy.
So what does a track do? Instead of throwing him out, I propose the track capitalizes on the brand of excitement that he brings to the show. Hence the "Kevin Ingrahm Prize Pinata".
Start by having the announcer give him a good nick-name. "Bulldozer" comes to mind. Then the announcer works the angle to the fans that everyone is ticked off at him, and that the race is like Kevin versus the whole field.
Now things get silly. Hang up a big old basket near the starters stand. Have it full of treats like candy, or certificates for a free ice-cream cone at the concession. Let the fans know that IF Kevin gets sent to the rear of the field, the prize pinata opens and the treats for the fans come spilling out. I bet some of them would like it and maybe, just maybe, they would get more excited and interested in the race. Yes, the fans like controversy and problems, BUT the officials can't encourage it. Behind the scenes they have to let the drivers know that the same rules apply as always.
So there is my dumb idea of the day. I don't mean for it to tick anyone off. I respect the guys ability at that track, but also understand the frustration of his competitors. Matbe he would like the added attention, or maybe not. Again, I don't pretend to know Kevin at all.
By the way, if there are no incidents, open the pinata and give the stuff out to the fans anyhow.
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