Recently, Dario Franchitti has lost his ride because of lack of sponsorship. With NASCAR having eight fewer cars for the Daytona 500 than they did the year before, doe this mark the fall of NASCAR.
The fall I refer to is not one of monumental proportions, but it does give one a moments hesitation to see Chip Ganassi unable to get a sponsor for a Indy 500 and IRL Championship winner.
For the moment we can blame the economy, but if this trend continues, are we looking at a more serious reason? Has NASCAR lost it's base?
As NASCAR went after the wine, loafers, and polo shirt crowd, did they forget about the ones that help sustain and create the racing series as we know it? - The die-hard blue collar fan.
In other words, did NASCAR over extend? I believe they have, and now we are looking at the resettling of the sport. Not to say NASCAR is going to cave anytime soon, but the boom is over and the proverbial bubble has burst.
Just as it has in IRL, Drag racing, GT, Grand AM. Lemans, and Prototype classes. All being affected by the economy and high gas prices. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Thanks for coming by and commenting on my blog Q...
I think you might be right about a re-adjustment but perhaps its because everyone and their mother wanted to come into NASCAR and now they see its not so easy to compete (open wheelers and some of the rookies). Notable Chip cant secure sponsors but still not convinced Chip really cares about his NASCAR teams like he does his IRL teams.
IMO, NASCAR has plateaued. Photogr's right--a lot of it has to do with the high gas prices. Some of it has to do with getting away from their core fan base. There were THOUSANDS of empty seats at Daytona. A few years ago, the summer race at Daytona would be consistently packed.
Q-Jordon
One has got to be be concerned as this happens. Economic climate or not we'll now begin to see a number of teams batten down the hatches. And it really doesn't matter be it IRL, NASCAR, Moto GP , or any other racing discipline within auto sports.
It's indicative of the economic climate that we now find ourselves in. Such are the ways of sports in general.
Gas prices reflect everything. The fall of our sport might be that there are so many empty seats at most of the races. The towns jack up the hotel rates just because NASCAR comes to town. NASCAR isn't treating fans the right way.
Q, the last sentence of your post says it all. NASCAR has taken the long time fans for granted, while trying to attract new fans. They know that the old fans aren't going to leave. Or, are they?
NASCAR is trying to attract new fan bases in Mexico and Canada, instead of working to keep the ones it has in the U.S. Nothing wrong with new fans, but NASCAR has forgoten it's core group.
It's not as much gas prices as it is just a business cycle. There have been thousands of empty seat at almost every track for the last few years now.
Business would pick up tomorrow if NASCAR would just look the other way when Dale Jr's car goes thru inspection. They need a hero that actually wins races. If he could raise up, smack down Kyle, and win five or six races in a row the stands would be overflowing again.
I don't think even Jr. winning would be the answer right now. It just seems that NASCAR has become an employer whose priority list begins with profit, and ends with product satisfaction.
Seems backward to me. If the product is good, the profit will follow.
This has been a hard year on fans, drivers and teams. I am glad that I haven't had to make the decisions that owners and drivers have faced. I just hope that they will be able to do what they do best next year and forget corporate America for a couple of years.
But, I still think last weeks race was the best of the year. Anyone was in contention until the last 20 laps. Had me on the edge of my rocking chair from start to finish. And I don't give a damn who was responsible for what!
I agree with Hannie and Photogr (surprise-surprise!) Also though, I feel that the dumbing down of the cars and the addition of the "Chase" has really changed the sport. Not all changes are for the good, however, and NASCAR's refusal to change things that obviously need changing is sending a message to the fans, (SCREW YOU, WE KNOW BETTER THAN YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT!) The loyal circle around each track is probably shrinking, mostly because of the economy too...but to put it all on NASCAR or GAS is probably an error, and underestimates the fan once again. The fans want good racing, heroes, a Ford, Chevy or Dodge in the Winners circle, encouragement of developing technology, not punishment for it...and a return of the cars to the mechanics and technicians to develop, not the officials in NASCAR. The bottom 10 or so not trying to qualify for races, have been legislated out of it by impounding. If you can qualify, you cannot be competitive in the race. If you can be competitive in the race you cannot qualify! How ridiculous is it???
It is a combination of things that would take a long time to discuss but every race is on TV live, dont have to go to the track anylonger, back in the day it was different.
I wanted to go to Pocono this year but my wife said no because of the expence. Two people going to a Cup race weekend and doing it right can easily cost over $1000.00.
The price of Charlotte four four days last year for Noah and I was about $1000 give or take a buck. The gas was still under $3 a gallon. We drove from Freeport Illinois to and from Charlotte. It would take roughly another $100 to do it this year. Now I have to plan vaction. Make sure we have the money. This year was a no. Cant make that extra change. So instead we are hitting local and closer Dirt. It is gas along with everything else going up.
NASCAR is fine. There are just too many teams trying to get sponsors right now. This is another argument for franchising 44 teams in my opinion. Limit the number of cars to 44 and then let the market sort it out.
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I appreciate all the replies, and insight that all of you provided.
I believe the gas prices have created part of the problem, but the real factor is the economy. And as many of you have said, NASCAR is expensive.
The merchandise, tickets, the cost of getting to and from the events, and the lodging when you get there, provided you are not RVing. And if you are RVing, then go back to point number three.
I am just another internet, cyber addicted, sports addict that needs a place to vent. I have been a Raider, Red Sox, and Blackhawks fan since I was able to remember my name. But, I am a sports fan overall.
Q
