Every so often you hear of an idea that's so insanely simple, you wonder why someone didn't think of it before. A company called the Contingency Connection is based on an idea like that, and racers all over the country are banking the benefits. The aftermarket - companies that manufacture racing equipment - likes to pay people who win races using their stuff. This is a monkey-see, monkey-do game in which racers buy whatever is winning - or whatever they think is winning.

Decals play a significant role in the game, since they suggest product use. The front fenders of most Winston Cup or Busch Series cars are plastered with decals, most from the aftermarket. Goodyear, Holley, Moroso, AutoMeter, Mechanix Wear, MSD, Comp Cams, Simpson, Wilwood, Penske Shocks, and many other companies have contingency programs. When a driver wins with the proper fender decal, the aftermarket company coughs up some dough. Sometimes running the manufacturer's product is a must, but sometimes all that's needed is the decal. Now there's a way for some of that manufacturer money to filter down to Saturday night tracks. The deal is very simple in concept. The Contingency Connection is the middleman between local speedways, their racers, and the aftermarket.

Racers pay nothing, but they can get something - provided they run the decal (in most cases) to qualify for contingency benefits.

Since each track on the program is permitted 40 winners a year, in theory, a single track's competitors can latch onto nearly $100,000 worth of coupons in a single season (based on two divisions eligible at each track, 100 participating manufacturers, 20 nights of racing, and a value of $25 per coupon). Of course, few winning cars will carry all 100 decals, so in reality the payout is less than $100,000. But with any effort at all, racers get back a lot more than the $2,500 fee their track posts to participate in the program.

This year, more than 40 oval tracks will offer their competitors weekly contingency payouts.

Participating manufacturers have included … Moroso, Mr. Gasket, Richmond Gear, RJS, Taylor/Vertex, KB Performance, Demon Carburetor, MSD, Painless Wiring, Tilton, and others.

Manufacturers get studio-recorded p.a. announcements played at the track. There's also a billboard on which each of the program's sponsors has space. The billboard is displayed in a prominent place in the pits since this is a program for racers, not fans.

Throughout most of the season, drivers at Contingency Connection tracks take the green in the feature with a shot to win some value against racing equipment purchases. Last year, including drag racing, there were more than 1,300 Contingency Connection events.