Video summary
The video features a host conducting a Q&A session with various individuals to gauge the current state of car culture and racing enthusiasm among different generations. The primary focus is on distinguishing between traditional drag racing, which starts from a standing stop using drag slicks, and modern roll racing, where cars accelerate while moving to reduce tire wear. Many participants express a strong preference for roll racing, citing it as more accessible and less damaging to tires compared to the high-stress conditions of traditional drag racing. This shift in preference is often linked to the availability of vehicles like Hellcats that are better suited for rolling starts, as well as the general perception that drag racing requires more specialized equipment and maintenance.
A significant theme emerging from the conversations is the decline of organized track racing due to the closure of numerous drag strips across the country. Interviewees frequently mention specific local tracks that have shut down or been repurposed for other events like drifting, leaving enthusiasts with few options but to race on public streets. The loss of these dedicated facilities has forced a migration toward street racing and roll racing, as younger generations who grew up without access to active drag strips are less familiar with traditional track culture. Additionally, increased law enforcement scrutiny, the use of surveillance drones, and stricter noise regulations have made street racing riskier and less appealing for those seeking a legitimate racing environment.
Beyond the logistical challenges, the discussion highlights a cultural shift in how people approach racing, particularly regarding safety and community dynamics. Older racers emphasize an "all-in or all-out" mentality where they race alone to accept full responsibility for any accidents, whereas younger participants are often criticized for bringing friends along for social media clout and videos, which increases the risk of collisions. The conversation also touches on the impact of work schedules and economic pressures, with many admitting that long working hours leave little time for traveling to distant tracks. Consequently, the racing scene appears to be stagnating in terms of growth, with the same core group of enthusiasts attending events year after year while new participants struggle to find accessible venues or free time to engage in the sport.
In conclusion, the transcript paints a picture of a car culture that is evolving under significant pressure from external factors and changing societal habits. While traditional drag racing remains cherished by purists who value old-school mechanics and track discipline, the practical realities of closing strips and stricter laws are pushing the community toward street-based roll racing. The consensus among the interviewees suggests that without more accessible tracks and a reduction in regulatory hurdles, the sport risks losing its broader appeal to the younger generation. Ultimately, the video captures a bittersweet sentiment where enthusiasts appreciate the history of drag racing but feel compelled to adapt their methods due to the lack of safe, legal places to practice their passion.
Read the full video transcript
You guys up for some Q&A?
About car stuff.
>> I may be kind of dumb, but we'll try.
>> Okay.
Um just about the car culture and kind
of racing and stuff like that. You into
racing?
>> Somewhat.
>> All right. Um
drag racing?
>> Yeah, a little bit.
>> All right. So, what what You got a car?
What kind of car you race?
>> C7.
>> Okay. Cool. Cool.
If you into drag racing, are you like a
dig race guy or a roll race guy?
>> Dig race.
>> Dig race? Okay. I didn't expect that.
Why do you like dig racing?
>> I don't know. I feel like it's easy to
roll race. Anybody can go fast.
>> easier to roll race instead of
So, you feel like drag racing
starts from a stop more or less?
Right.
>> Dig? Less wear and less wear on the
tire. No, I feel like it's more wear on
the car for dig race.
>> Right. That's what See, that's what
That's what a lot of people say.
That's why this roll racing thing's
gotten so big now.
>> Anybody can do a four-year-old, you
know? It don't take much to keep the car
straight.
>> But, you're down with
old school drag racing. Okay. Cool. I
appreciate it, man.
>> [music]
>> You fellas up for some Q&A?
>> Uh
depending on what it's about. I don't
>> About cars.
Cars, racing stuff.
>> I have motorcycles, but we can
>> Motorcycles? All right.
>> We're doing it together.
>> Just trying to get everybody's touch on
kind of like where the car theme and
stuff is nowadays.
>> Right. Yeah.
>> Um
You You guys into drag racing? Any kind
of racing?
>> it, but I don't be racing. I like
racing, though.
>> If you're going to drag race,
would you be like a street race guy or a
track guy?
>> Not the best answer, but I would like to
be a street racer. Yeah.
>> Street racer?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
If you
was going to street race, what car you
race?
>> Well, for my car?
>> Yeah.
>> I would do a
wide body red eye charger.
>> All right. What about you?
>> Hmm.
That's a hard one.
>> Any car.
>> Hmm.
Uh
I've always wanted a fast ass
four-cylinder turbo car.
>> Yeah.
>> I don't hate that. I had a
>> Like an all-wheel drive?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, I don't hate that.
>> I'll probably lose that
>> What kind of car are you?
>> Right.
>> My buddy's got a Mazda Speed 6 and it's
Yeah.
>> There ain't no no hate about that.
Four-cylinders are fast nowadays.
>> Um So, you said street racing, you kind
of on the same side? Street race versus
track?
So, if you're street racing, are you a
dig race guy or a roll race guy? Cuz
there's this big this roll things
getting all huge now.
>> Right. Yeah, I think I'm going to go
roll racing in the Hellcat. Yeah.
>> Now,
what's your opinion on that? Why would
you want to roll race?
>> Uh just because of what kind of car I'd
be
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
I probably I probably wouldn't do a roll
if I was in an all-wheel drive.
>> Yeah, right. It depends on what car
>> Dig race?
>> Dig race.
>> Okay.
Can you pull
Just going around trying to ask people
the same question to see where they're
at.
>> Oh, yeah. We got
>> Everybody's getting into so many
different things now and it seems like
drag racing's kind of kind of dying. You
know what I mean? So, we're trying to
find out where everybody's at with it.
You know what I mean? I appreciate it,
guys.
>> No problem.
>> What's up, fellas?
>> How you doing?
>> Got a question. You you down for some
Q&A?
>> Sure.
>> It's about car stuff, so it's easy.
>> All right.
>> Um is this your car?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Okay. You into racing?
>> Uh so-so. I'm building a drag car.
>> A drag car? Okay, perfect. That's going
to be perfect for this.
Um so, if you're into drag racing,
are you like old school drag race from a
dig or are you roll guy?
>> Dig.
>> Dig?
>> digs, but digs do cause more damage, I
would say.
A lot of people feel like that. Um
So, you're down with the old school drag
racing. You're not really feeling the
the the new thing going down with like
the rolling and all that stuff.
>> If if it if I would have was like big
single turbo, maybe.
>> Right.
>> So, like you know, you have something or
do like rolling anti-lag, but
>> Uh honestly, my grandfather has a '69
Camaro drag car
and he did drag racing and I wanted to
That's something I wanted to do. Right.
>> I got you. Just trying to get a touch
base like where everybody is nowadays.
It seems like drag racing's kind of
dying to me, you know. Tracks are
closing and you don't see a lot of the
ones that are open, you don't see a lot
of people coming out and racing no more,
but you see a lot of street stuff, it
seems like. So, just kind of feeling
like what what everybody's down with.
I'm a drag racer, old school.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. Track race, dig race.
That's where I'm at.
>> Yeah. Well, it's nice to meet you.
>> You too, man. Appreciate it, guys.
What's up, fellas?
>> Yeah, what's up, man?
>> Is this your car?
Your car?
>> Yeah.
>> This would be a perfect perfect deal
right here. You down for some Q&A?
It's about car stuff, so it's it's easy.
Um
I'mma say you're probably down with a
little bit of racing and stuff like
that.
>> I was in the past. I haven't been in a
minute, though.
>> I got you. So, um
It seems like racing's kind of all over
the place and it's changing a lot today.
Are you Would you call yourself like old
school dig drag racer or you like a
street racer?
>> I mean, it was a little of both, but
mainly like, you know, on the interstate
doing rolls.
>> Rolls, okay. That was going to be the
next question. So, roll racing. So, over
So, dig racing versus roll racing, which
one would you pick?
>> It just depends on the vehicle I'm in.
>> Got you.
>> Like this one for unless you have slicks
on it, you're not going to do anything
on a dig. So, this would
>> Right.
>> be a roll unless you had, you know, drag
slicks on it. So.
>> So, from me hitting all kinds of
different tracks, I feel like drag
racing's kind of
petering out on the track
and dig racing for the most part. And it
seems like roll racing is what all these
younger generations getting into. Why do
you feel like that's the case?
>> the biggest thing is cuz they keep
closing drag strips.
>> Right.
>> There used to be one back in the day.
Used to be one in Covington, you know,
close by.
>> Right.
>> Um we had the one what just Eaton 10 or
whatever down there. And I mean they're
closing them all down. It's not helping
the the cause. So, the only thing
they're left to do is, you know, do it
on the
>> street. At the street.
>> Yeah, I mean a plenty of people have
said, you know, if they open more
strips, it'd eliminate the issue.
>> Right. I feel you. I feel 100%.
>> But from what the the younger
generation's only seen, like the crazy
stuff that's gone down. They didn't see
it back when we actually had
you know, a drag strip where we could
all go and meet up.
>> fun.
>> They don't know that. You know, cuz they
closed all the ones that are close by.
>> Right.
>> So, you know, people get off of work
late. They don't have time to go all the
way up there to do what you know.
>> Yep. I feel that. That's a good answer.
That's a good answer. Um
So, other than that,
you you see like some people say they're
afraid to race on the track or from a
dig cuz they're scared to break their
car or stuff like that. Um do you think
that's really a big thing or it's just
just more along the lines of what you
just said? They just There really ain't
nowhere to go no more.
>> Being old school, it's you're all in or
you're all out. When you hit that, you
know, if you're going to dedicate
yourself to doing a run, then you know
what you're what could happen at any
time. I always ride by myself. If that
was like when I do it because I know if
anything happens, I want it to be on me
and only me. I don't want to hurt
anybody else.
>> That's 100%.
>> That's you know, that's old school
mentality. Now, these kids want to have
everybody in the car for clout,
videotaping everything. And if something
happens,
you know, it's not good.
>> Yeah, definitely not good.
Cool, man. I appreciate the information
and your your answers. Um Like I follow
the modern street hemi shootout series
and stuff me and my son and
it just seems like it's the same crowd
every year over year over year, you
know? It just doesn't seem like the
sport's growing that much. So
>> Um I think it also depends on
geological, you know, geographical your
area and stuff, what weather is, you
know.
Um back in the day, like you're not in
back of the day but even 10 years ago,
um
it was easier to do meetups and races
and stuff like that, you know,
especially in those large city meetups
in Atlanta.
Those were everything was alive back
then but the takeovers have ruined a
bunch of stuff.
>> Right.
>> So that's that's what killed the car
scene if you ask me. That's the big part
of it.
>> That's
>> You know, because now the cops are more
stricter.
You know, they have drones and
everything now just because, you know,
they do it for the clout.
>> Yeah.
>> So it hurts people that actually here to
have fun time, meet each other, see each
other's cars and then, you know, do a
run or something somewhere, you know,
just close.
>> Right.
>> There's nothing around.
>> Got you.
>> Yeah.
>> That's good answer, man. I appreciate
the input.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Yeah, man. Nice car.
>> Thank you.
>> I see that name at the track a lot on
the windshield, too.
>> Yeah, that's my tuner.
>> Is it? I figured that.
What's up, fellas?
>> What's going on?
>> That's your car?
>> Yeah, I was going to say.
>> I like it.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Like a big old boat.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Uh I got a question for you guys. You
down with some Q&A about car stuff?
>> Sure.
>> Um are you into drag racing or any sort
of racing or anything like that?
Track, street, it doesn't matter.
>> Yeah, we'll play around a little bit.
>> Okay.
Okay. Um
trying to get an idea like where
this younger generation's kind of at the
today. It seems like to me like I follow
a lot of drag race. We go out of state.
We race a lot of different tracks and it
seems like
to me it's not growing anymore. It seems
like it's petering off.
Um
would you say like you guys are like
drag strip from a dig guys?
Um
even if it's street or you from a dig
race kind of guy or you roll race guy or
where you at?
>> He's probably more roll race.
>> Yeah, more mess around on the highway if
you know someone pulls up.
>> Okay.
>> And he stays level with you.
>> Right, right. Okay, I got you.
>> I must say I was happy to hear about
uh what Atlanta Speedway?
>> Atlanta Dragway's coming back.
>> Dragway yeah, the dragway. What's happy
here about the dragway coming back?
>> supposed to come back and stuff for
sure.
>> any spots to actually do anything.
>> 2 and 1/2 hours away from here at least.
Yeah.
So yeah, definitely sucks.
Um
so you say you would be more like a dig
race kind of guy? Okay. And you would be
more of a roll race guy. So I feel like
the generation today is they're all kind
of going towards that roll racing.
Um
what's your why why do you like that?
>> Well, it's because I have a slow car.
>> Okay.
>> And I'm also manual, so I can choose
where what gear and when I get my power
and all that.
>> Got you.
>> So
>> Okay.
It makes sense.
>> Yeah.
>> Um so not really per se like you're
you're you're scared to break cuz a lot
of people say they're scared to break
their car. Like they think racing from a
dig is worse on it for some reason.
>> I put holes in engine blocks.
>> There you go.
>> [laughter]
>> Per- perfect answer.
>> So we're
we're not
we're ones to break stuff.
>> Now, do you feel like the
if if let's say there's a track 10
minutes away,
would you still be a roll race guy no
matter what or
>> Oh no, I would love to take my car to
the
>> to the track. So it's it really comes
down to the factor like we just don't
have nowhere to go anymore for pretty
much.
>> So you think that's kind of why the
generation's hitting the streets a
little harder and not participating in
races anymore and stuff like that.
>> And again, exactly what happened to the
speedway, they're building so much
everywhere that
they're just starting
First thing is noise.
>> Right. Yeah, and they shut tracks down
or people complain and stuff like that.
I got you.
Cool.
Just trying to get a touch on everybody
like we me and my son we race to modern
hemi shootout events and they go like,
you know, Orlando,
North Carolina, Michigan,
um all over the place. And it just seems
like it's the same crowd
every year. Right. And it's not really
growing.
Um it just seems like the the streets
are staying more popular.
And just trying to get a feel of if
that's people's choice or just cuz they
don't want to drive that far, you know?
>> Yeah, I also feel half of it is a lot of
us is how locked on the jobs we are and
turn around time. I really don't feel
like we have as much free time as
>> Working more.
Working more.
>> Yeah, some other Let's put it that way.
>> That's probably That's probably the best
answer really. Don't have time for
right?
>> [laughter]
>> That's how I feel sometimes. I mean
We're weekend warriors. That's what we
get.
>> Right.
But at the end of the day if we had we
had a closer track it it'd probably be
a lot better.
>> You like the the Braselton one that just
shut down not you know about like half a
year ago now?
Right across
Atlanta speedway.
>> Oh, they're trying to shut the They were
trying to shut the building.
>> The Lanier race place.
>> Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, cuz caffeine and
octane or something bought it and
they're do like drift there or now or
something, don't they?
>> Yeah, at one point they were trying to
close the drift pit across the street.
Oh, wild cuz that's one of the biggest
It has to be one of our biggest local
events that people actually go to.
>> Right.
>> I would say I would say that's actually
probably the freshest it's been around
here with actual fresh races and people.
>> I haven't even been to that yet. But so
they're trying to actually shut that
down now.
>> So
as far as I know it's been bought by a
guy who's going to tear it down and put
apartments there.
But
I've also heard other stuff that someone
else bought it from him now. So I don't
know what's happening with it.
>> So it's like every time we turn around
our shit's taken away.
>> [laughter]
>> All right, man. I appreciate it guys.
Good good answers. Just trying to get a
feel for everybody.
It's what? It's huge. Yeah, it's
awesome.