Track Champions

Why is there such things as a track championship?

I ask that question because in dirt late model racing around Illinois, to me it means really nothing.  Some people look at is a staple of driver in the fact that he's seen his time, learned the track and conquered.  Other times, it comes down to the type of mediocre driver who runs 3rd to 5th each night and winds up winning the points despite never really earning the checkers.

To me, track championships are nothing more than a way for a track to lure the local driver back over and over again to earn a legend status really never deserved.  Out of respect of the drivers, i'll not quote any such named.  But those who have watched over the years know where I am coming from. It is nothing that means a whole lot when you look at the career of a driver.

Case in point, take a look at the pros who run today.  How many of them starting off worried about the $800 to win show only to hold that 5 point margin for that all important trophy at the end of the year.  None, nada, zero.  Nope, chasing track championships at local tracks mean you have zero desire to try and raise the level of your race program.  Ledgend local verses name national.  Way I see it.

If anything, the track championship does show potential and if anything improvement.  In some cases, it shows nothing more than age...the more they win it.  So why try to be old?  Isn't that a sign that your time has came, gone and went?