Scotty’s new Grassroots Bracket Series has interested me since he mentioned it to me this winter in Florida. I have been sharing my ideas along with several other racers. Having owned and operated tracks for over 15 years I have some insight from the track owner side that some racers will not have. Having raced for 35 years I also am aware of what I want to see in a bracket racing series when I participate in one.

Scotty’s plan is to keep the points system local, not allow points races on the same weekends at tracks that share racers and to make the Grassroots Bracket Series World Finals a true National Event caliber race. Over 20 years ago the NHRA’s Firestone/Centerline (later called the Craftsman ET Finals) worked to make that series something to benefit local track participation. At first it did just that. More racers supported tracks so they could be part of a team at a Divisional ET Finals race.

But interest has dropped off, sponsorship and contingency is on life-support, and the events are dull and over-priced.

We all need some new ideas and Scotty’s plans for the Grassroots Bracket Series are on the right course, in my opinion. He has signed up dozens of major sponsors; smaller sponsors are encouraged to join as the costs are very affordable and can be directed to different regions of the country where that company does business. To qualify for a chance at the State Championship and the Grassroots Bracket Series World Finals a racer does not have to travel; you earn points at your local track and only when they hold a Grassroots Bracket Series Points Race.

The plan is to make the Grassroots Bracket Series not the big-money races. They will feature low entry fees, guaranteed payouts and a chance to earn a spot at the World Finals where there will be a $50,000 purse and little if any entry fees for those who qualify.

There are actually two things that have to happen for the Grassroots Bracket Series to work:

1. Local tracks have to sign up to be part of the Grassroots Bracket Series. In return they get event flyers, links to different websites and an association that is determined to grow the number of racers that come through their gate.
2. Racers have to embrace the concept that supporting the local track is the best thing to ensure they have a place to race, and in return, eight racers from each bracket of each participating track will be invited to the Grassroots Bracket Series World Finals and have a shot at their share of nearly $50,000 in cash and prizes.

It’s a fresh idea that may take a while to embrace. So far in 2010 about 50 tracks have signed up. The goal is to have over 125 tracks for 2011. With the focus on the weekly bracket racer and not the touring “big money” racer, it might be time to dust off that old bracket car and get it out of the garage and out to your local track for some fun.

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