Switch the events to eighth mile

1. More bracket races are run on the eighth mile, so there are more potential entries.
2. It’s easier on parts; this means more cars running the entire Winter Series.
3. Keep door cars and dragsters separated until they have to be paired, probably the final two or three rounds.

Add Footbrake racers to the Winter Series

1. Let the Footbrake race winner run the delay box winner for the Champion’s money. These “Combo Races” would add some very interesting final rounds to the Winter Series.

Lower the entry fees and Winner’s money

1. Lower entry fees will bring in more entries. Always has, always will.
2. Lower entry fees mean lower purses but I feel they could clip the $15,000-to-win down to $7500 and leave the rest of the purse the same. (90% of the time the racers are splitting the money at the final four or at least in the Finals due to the big difference between winner and runner-up money.)

Add a three-race points series instead of three single-race point series

1. It should increase attendance at all of the Winter Series events. Right now each track is putting together $7,500 to $10,000 point funds. Imagine spreading that out to a $30,000.00 points fund that pays back 20 places.

Get manufacturers involved

1. Manufacturers are selling these serious bracket races a lot of parts. If approached with these races as a three-race series I cannot imagine they would not want to get involved in contingency payouts. If these manufacturers participate, it adds appeal to the Winter Series and different awards from manufacturers will add to the events.

Give the Winter Series a better atmosphere than a national event

1. How about racer barbeques and special awards each round so even a first-round loser might win something? Several big bracket races are doing this right now and they are a popular addition at their events.

Will the Winter Series, as I have known it for over 25 years, survive?

Time will tell. I will let you know what we see as far as number of entries at the next two events at Bradenton Motorsports Park and Palm Beach Int’l Raceway. I will be asking a lot of racers a lot of questions in the next few weeks and I will be talking to track managers as well. Do you have some ideas that can improve the Winter Series? If so, send them to me and I will write an article with some of those great ideas.

Watch for my InnerView with Randy Folk, new owner of “The Million Dollar Race” event coming later this month. It could create a “sweeping change” in bracket racing.