DeGRAFF — Charlie Stapleton understands people are trying to get the “best bang for their buck” when it comes to entertainment.

And that’s meant smaller crowds at Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff.

Stapleton, Shady Bowl’s promoter, said the crowds are down 20 percent from last year, while the car counts are down about 15 percent. He said the special events — like the Trailer, Boat and Camper race — are doing well. But the regular shows have seen a decline in attendance.

“A lot of it’s money,” Stapleton said. “Overtime has been cut out. People are starting to work five days a week, instead of four days. It’s not going to be a hateful year, but it won’t be anything like last year. We had a good year last year. The last couple years have been pretty good.

“People are picking and choosing what they do,” Stapleton continued. “They only choose to come a couple times a month.”

Betty Hosta, the vice president and promoter of Kil-Kare, Inc., said her raceway and drag strip have profited this season, thanks to several changes around the track.

“We’re getting the same car count as last season,” Hosta said. “We’re getting more people in the stands.”

Hosta said the track has gone back to an “old school” way of thinking to make Kil-Kare more fan- and competitor-friendly. They’ve started doing more promotional things, like giveaways and driver interviews and autograph sessions, to help keep fans wanting more.

“The fans are going home happy and they’re coming back,” Hosta said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.