Fixing Attendance

Get rid of the ridiculous stage format, get a better car after the Gen6, new schedule/new tracks after the sanctioning agreement is up.

Attendance is pretty bad at some of these racetracks.
 
As long as there are stages and playoffs I can say for sure that I’m not interested in wasting two of my weekend days sitting in front of the TV being pissed off every time a scheduled break in racing action occurs.
I don’t care about stage points, elimination rounds, final 10 races, etc.
I check live leaderboard sometimes from my phone and I check Jayski’s race results usually the next day to see where everyone placed.
I miss the racing but the racing that I miss doesn’t exist anymore and I’m not going to watch what has replaced it. I thought not watching would bother me more than it actually has. I suspect as time goes on I won’t check race results as much and NASCAR, in my mind, will simply fade away.
 
ladyspartan16 said:
1. NASCAR is still seen as hick sport. People laugh at drivers and fans, it's the butt of jokes in most circles. On the other hand you have F1 that is seen as sexy, fun, and something to be enjoyed by the elite.

Basketball, football, baseball have many many high profile fans, it also helps that many of the players themselves are among common gossip blog fodder. The most high profile person in NASCAR is Jeff Gordon..... he doesn't even drive anymore and that's a problem. He and his wife are constantly elbow rubbing with the Hollywood and social elite. Dale Jr, the most recognizable, is smoking meat and drinking beer on the weekend.... Up and comers Chase Elliott are Ryan Blaney are drinking their way through Ireland, hunting, and putting out pod casts. Bubba is on a cringeworthy campaign to get sucky pizza companies to sponsor him.

Now look at other sports:

Lebron James sat ring side at the biggest fight of the year, is covering GQ this month, and is creating a TV Series (his third btw).

Lewis Hamilton is front row at fashion week shows, is constantly hanging out with A list celebrities, going to movie premieres and has some incredibly lucrative endorsement deals.

Serena Williams (is on maternity leave) is generally seen hobknobbing with A list Celebs, was on the cover of vanity fair, did a TED talk, and has her own very lucrative workout brand.....

NASCAR has relate-ability problem and not a single person over there is even trying to fix it.... instead they are trying to show they are still one of the good ole boys, but the good ole boys aren't spending the money or giving the exposure needed to keep this sport alive.
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Fascinating.

What I'm getting from your post is Millennials place importance on who sports figures hang out with and what they do outside of their sport. They base their opinion of a sport on who's else is watching it (assuming Lebron, Lewis, and Serena's buddies even watch them). Please correct me if I'm mistaken. If I'm reading you correctly, why do you think M's value that?

I can't speak for other Boomers but for me what matter most (or at all) is how they perform in their sport. What they do away from it may be somewhat interesting but doesn't affect the way I view their performance (crimes and scandals excluded). It certainly doesn't affect how I see the sport itself.

I've looked at F1 and NBA several times and found them unappealing. I don't care who Lewis Hamilton or Lebron James are hanging out with, it won't make me want to watch their day jobs. Perhaps this is also why I don't get Monster's attempt at cross-pollinating its brand. I've looked at the other sports they sponsor, but their participation in NASCAR doesn't make me want to look at them again. I don't get why NASCAR thinks fans of other Monster sports would suddenly enjoy stock car racing when they haven't previously just because Monster is now involved.

I agree that NASCAR doesn't seem to have a solution.
 
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Thegeneral23 said:
. we use to thrive without diversity smh pathetic .. it's 2017 .. it should be more diversity just like it is in other sports.. yes I'm black .. if it was more blacks in the sport that would open up the eyes to more people with color.. that would bring tons of new fans.. I hope bubba gets a ride.. that would make me happy.. I would support him and I'm sure others would to.. it makes no sense that others can get sponsorship and he can't smh..
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I hope you’re not suggesting that the NBA and the NFL are overtly diverse.
 
Thegeneral23 said:
. we use to thrive without diversity smh pathetic .. it's 2017 .. it should be more diversity just like it is in other sports.. yes I'm black .. if it was more blacks in the sport that would open up the eyes to more people with color.. that would bring tons of new fans.. I hope bubba gets a ride.. that would make me happy.. I would support him and I'm sure others would to.. it makes no sense that others can get sponsorship and he can't smh..
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I think you misunderstood his point.

NASCAR didn't seem to have an image problem back in the 90's when the sport was thriving. Now when the sport is falling on harder times, suddenly they have an image problem? They are clearly trying to target fans and racers from a wider demographic, as they should. But the sport was extremely successful 20 years ago DESPITE the lack of diversity, or their perceived redneck image or whatever. That's the point he was trying to make. Where have those fans gone, and why did they leave? That's what they need to figure out.

As far as Bubba Wallace goes, there's no doubt he has earned a shot. I think his time is coming.
 
BobbyFord said:
I hope you’re not suggesting that the NBA and the NFL are overtly diverse.
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First of all I never said overly diverse . So please don't put words in my mouth thank you .. but in the NFL and NBA and baseball you have a diverse in it.. same thing dave moody was talking bout on his show.. getting more diverse in the sport would help.. and it would tremendously! It's no color in the sport.. I don't have a problem with it but it would help a lot..
 
2 Sweet said:
I think you misunderstood his point.

NASCAR didn't seem to have an image problem back in the 90's when the sport was thriving. Now when the sport is falling on harder times, suddenly they have an image problem? They are clearly trying to target fans and racers from a wider demographic, as they should. But the sport was extremely successful 20 years ago DESPITE the lack of diversity, or their perceived redneck image or whatever. That's the point he was trying to make. Where have those fans gone, and why did they leave? That's what they need to figure out.

As far as Bubba Wallace goes, there's no doubt he has earned a shot. I think his time is coming.
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It's 2017 bottom line.. it shouldn't still be like this is what I'm saying.. I talk to plenty of people with color and they don't want to go because of the image NASCAR has.. the flags that's hanging in the infields and so on..... they call me crazy for going.. if they changed that image they would have a **** load of fans to help turn this around and support the sport.. the stuff I read on Facebook about suarez when he got that ride was sad! A lot of fans and people that watch I hate to say it but don't want color in the sport and it's sad..
 
Thegeneral23 said:
It's 2017 bottom line.. it shouldn't still be like this is what I'm saying.. I talk to plenty of people with color and they don't want to go because of the image NASCAR has.. the flags that's hanging in the infields and so on..... they call me crazy for going.. if they changed that image they would have a sh!t load of fans to help turn this around and support the sport.. the stuff I read on Facebook about suarez when he got that ride was sad! A lot of fans and people that watch I hate to say it but don't want color in the sport and it's sad..
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Agreed, it's very sad. But NASCAR has taken a lot of steps in the past decade to shed that image. I think they are definitely trying.

I refuse to read any of the comments on FB or nascar.com or any of those places, because that's where all the trashy half-wit folks seem to land. I think people like that only make up a very small percentage of the fanbase, but unfortunately they do exist, and they definitely make NASCAR look bad.
 
2 Sweet said:
I think you misunderstood his point.

NASCAR didn't seem to have an image problem back in the 90's when the sport was thriving. Now when the sport is falling on harder times, suddenly they have an image problem? They are clearly trying to target fans and racers from a wider demographic, as they should. But the sport was extremely successful 20 years ago DESPITE the lack of diversity, or their perceived redneck image or whatever. That's the point he was trying to make. Where have those fans gone, and why did they leave? That's what they need to figure out.

As far as Bubba Wallace goes, there's no doubt he has earned a shot. I think his time is coming.
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Our culture has undergone dramatic changes in the ensuing 20 plus years.

Those unwilling to change with it will be left behind.
 
2 Sweet said:
Agreed, it's very sad. But NASCAR has taken a lot of steps in the past decade to shed that image. I think they are definitely trying.

I refuse to read any of the comments on FB or nascar.com or any of those places, because that's where all the trashy half-wit folks seem to land. I think people like that only make up a very small percentage of the fanbase, but unfortunately they do exist, and they definitely make NASCAR look bad.
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Yea I can tell they have and are still trying .. I see it with my own eyes. If you watch some of there commercials and watch real clear u will catch on to what there doing lol.. like I said I love the sport but it still has a lot of work to do in that department.. I'll just leave it with this .. BUBBA WALLACE no sponsorship lol! Shouldn't have to say anything else after that.. but If I had the money to put behind him omg I would do it in a heart beat! So much to gain on so many levels .. good looking guy, he can drive, personality good.. he is aggressive, he speaks his mind .. what more do you need lol? But like I said this all falls back on NASCAR I really think the companies are scared to take a chance just because of the image NASCAR has
 
Thegeneral23 said:
First of all I never said overly diverse . So please don't put words in my mouth thank you .. but in the NFL and NBA and baseball you have a diverse in it.. same thing dave moody was talking bout on his show.. getting more diverse in the sport would help.. and it would tremendously! It's no color in the sport.. I don't have a problem with it but it would help a lot..
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I disagree.
 
BobbyFord said:
As long as there are stages and playoffs I can say for sure that I’m not interested in wasting two of my weekend days sitting in front of the TV being pissed off every time a scheduled break in racing action occurs.
I don’t care about stage points, elimination rounds, final 10 races, etc.
I check live leaderboard sometimes from my phone and I check Jayski’s race results usually the next day to see where everyone placed.
I miss the racing but the racing that I miss doesn’t exist anymore and I’m not going to watch what has replaced it. I thought not watching would bother me more than it actually has. I suspect as time goes on I won’t check race results as much and NASCAR, in my mind, will simply fade away.
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I do exactly the same thing.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Fascinating.

What I'm getting from your post is Millennials place importance on who sports figures hang out with and what they do outside of their sport. They base their opinion of a sport on who's else is watching it (assuming Lebron, Lewis, and Serena's buddies even watch them). Please correct me if I'm mistaken. If I'm reading you correctly, why do you think M's value that?

I can't speak for other Boomers but for me what matter most (or at all) is how they perform in their sport. What they do away from it may be somewhat interesting but doesn't affect the way I view their performance (crimes and scandals excluded). It certainly doesn't affect how I see the sport itself.

I've looked at F1 and NBA several times and found them unappealing. I don't care who Lewis Hamilton or Lebron James are hanging out with, it won't make me want to watch their day jobs. Perhaps this is also why I don't get Monster's attempt at cross-pollinating its brand. I've looked at the other sports they sponsor, but their participation in NASCAR doesn't make me want to look at them again. I don't get why NASCAR thinks fans of other Monster sports would suddenly enjoy stock car racing when they haven't previously just because Monster is now involved.

I agree that NASCAR doesn't seem to have a solution.
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I think along the same lines as I watch a sporting event to see a great game and then turn the TV off and don't think of the individuals involved. I don't care who they are hobnobbing with and the last thing I want to know is how they feel about every issue facing the country or the world. I treat them like my auto mechanic as I don't care who he sees, is seen with or what his hobbies are.......I just want him to fix my damn car!
 
Social demographics isn’t and has never been a determining factor or has ever influenced my interest in any sport or other activity. I watch sports for the entertainment aspect. I don’t care about or even think about the race or social status of the players involved.
If I find it entertaining, I’ll watch.
 
The stage format makes attending a race better. I like knowing when a break was coming so I could time my trips for concessions and restrooms as to not miss anything.

Regarding the attendance and overall malaise regarding NASCAR: without a compelling rivalry less and less people will watch regardless of how good the racing is. People just don't care enough to be bothered to spend their time off watching when they don't care who wins.
 
Matthew2470 said:
The stage format makes attending a race better. I like knowing when a break was coming so I could time my trips for concessions and restrooms as to not miss anything.

Regarding the attendance and overall malaise regarding NASCAR: without a compelling rivalry less and less people will watch regardless of how good the racing is. People just don't care enough to be bothered to spend their time off watching when they don't care who wins.
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The only thing I care about is if the racing is good. Stopping the competition for a scheduled yellow flag stage is absurd.
 
BobbyFord said:
I disagree.
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Yea and that tells me what kind of person u are if u disagree and that's the problem right there.. in stick and ball sports .. people of any color don't need a sponsor.. all stick and ball sports is left up to talent and that's it! Not who brings the most money to the table.. if that's case a lot of these guys wouldn't be in the NBA NFL or MLB .. NASCAR is who can bring money and sponsors..when your career is left up to a sponsor and you have everything you need to become a driver.. and you can't even get a chance like everybody else .. ITS A PROBLEM
 
Thegeneral23 said:
Yea and that tells me what kind of person u are if u disagree and that's the problem right there.. in stick and ball sports .. people of any color don't need a sponsor.. all stick and ball sports is left up to talent and that's it! Not who brings the most money to the table.. if that's case a lot of these guys wouldn't be in the NBA NFL or MLB .. NASCAR is who can bring money and sponsors..when your career is left up to a sponsor and you have everything you need to become a driver.. and you can't even get a chance like everybody else .. ITS A PROBLEM
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So, tell me; what kind of person am I?
 
ladyspartan16 said:

1. NASCAR is still seen as hick sport. People laugh at drivers and fans, it's the butt of jokes in most circles. On the other hand you have F1 that is seen as sexy, fun, and something to be enjoyed by the elite.

Basketball, football, baseball have many many high profile fans, it also helps that many of the players themselves are among common gossip blog fodder. The most high profile person in NASCAR is Jeff Gordon..... he doesn't even drive anymore and that's a problem. He and his wife are constantly elbow rubbing with the Hollywood and social elite. Dale Jr, the most recognizable, is smoking meat and drinking beer on the weekend.... Up and comers Chase Elliott are Ryan Blaney are drinking their way through Ireland, hunting, and putting out pod casts. Bubba is on a cringeworthy campaign to get sucky pizza companies to sponsor him.

Now look at other sports:

Lebron James sat ring side at the biggest fight of the year, is covering GQ this month, and is creating a TV Series (his third btw).

Lewis Hamilton is front row at fashion week shows, is constantly hanging out with A list celebrities, going to movie premieres and has some incredibly lucrative endorsement deals.

Serena Williams (is on maternity leave) is generally seen hobknobbing with A list Celebs, was on the cover of vanity fair, did a TED talk, and has her own very lucrative workout brand.....

NASCAR has relate-ability problem and not a single person over there is even trying to fix it.... instead they are trying to show they are still one of the good ole boys, but the good ole boys aren't spending the money or giving the exposure needed to keep this sport alive.
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Great post!

NASCAR has the same problem that Harley Davidson has found itself, e.g., loss of popularity and a shrinking pool of end users. Both have an image that is tied to a certain group. That image used to be cool and sought after. Now it isn't and is seen as your father or grandfather's thing. Young people don't want to be associated with your dad's or grandfather's thing. Newer generations aren't interested in vehicles the way the generation before them used to be. Also, they are saddled with huge amounts of debt when they get out of college. They don't have a large expendable incomes to throw at a sport that they don't have an interest in or they look down upon.

NASCAR is attempting to pivot into the future by listening to Monster. Any changes that NASCAR attempts is being met with a huge backlash by the old guys who currently populate the stands/fan base. It is a catch 22 position. Unfortunately for NASCAR they should have started to pivot 10 or 12 years ago. They are in a catch up position which is reactive.

After this year their will be an even smaller pool of diverse drivers within the sport. That won't grow the fan base as it will be seen by many as being noninclusive. If that perception permeates into our societies culture further than it already has you will see even less companies being interested in being affiliated with the sport.

There isn't a magic bullet solution to the issues that NASCAR finds itself. If it digs itself out is will be after the sport goes through a very rough time.
 
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Towmater said:
Great post!

NASCAR has the same problem that Harley Davidson has found itself, e.g., loss of popularity and a shrinking pool of end users. Both have an image that is tied to a certain group. That image used to be cool and sought after. Now it isn't and is seen as your father or grandfather's thing. Young people don't want to be associated with your dad's or grandfather's thing. Newer generations aren't interested in vehicles the way we used to be. Also, they are saddled with huge amounts of debt when they get out of college. They don't have a large expendable incomes to throw at a sport that they don't have an interest in or they look down upon.

NASCAR is attempting to pivot into the future by listening to Monster. Any changes that NASCAR attempts is being met with a huge backlash by the old guys who currently populate the stands/fan base. It is a catch 22 position. Unfortunately for NASCAR they should have started to pivot 10 or 12 years ago. They are in a catch up position which is reactive.

After this year their will be an even smaller pool of diverse drivers within the sport. That won't grow the fan base as it will be seen by many as being noninclusive. If that perception permeates into our societies culture further than it already has you will see even less companies being interested in being affiliated with the sport.

There isn't a magic bullet solution to the issues that NASCAR finds itself. If it digs itself out is will be after the sport goes through a very rough time.
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Omg SOMEBODY GETS IT!!! Well said!!
 
I’m thinking Bubba’s sponsorship issues have nothing to do with the color of his skin and are related to his lack of on track performance.
He’s a likable, well spoken kid.
85 Xfin races and no wins, 6 wins in the Truck series in 44 starts. I think he’s simply racing in the wrong series.
 
Thegeneral23 said:
Yea and that tells me what kind of person u are if u disagree and that's the problem right there.. in stick and ball sports .. people of any color don't need a sponsor.. all stick and ball sports is left up to talent and that's it! Not who brings the most money to the table.. if that's case a lot of these guys wouldn't be in the NBA NFL or MLB .. NASCAR is who can bring money and sponsors..when your career is left up to a sponsor and you have everything you need to become a driver.. and you can't even get a chance like everybody else .. ITS A PROBLEM
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Nascar has always been about being able to attract and maintain sponsorship as being good may get you some notice but if you don't have the ability to bring or attract money the only way you will get to see a race live is to buy a ticket. In stick and ball sports it is all about performance and the moment you can no longer perform you are kicked to the curb plain and simple.

IDK what is happening with RPM and Bubba but I suspect the team will shut down for the year and never come back. IDK what kind of ask RPM has of a primary sponsor per race but I would have to think it would be 250K and that is a lot of money given the state of the series. What would be ideal is if the black business community could rally around Bubba and RPM and put something together for him.
 
BobbyFord said:
I’m thinking Bubba’s sponsorship issues have nothing to do with the color of his skin and are related to his lack of on track performance.
He’s a likable, well spoken kid.
85 Xfin races and no wins, 6 wins in the Truck series in 44 starts. I think he’s simply racing in the wrong series.
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Are u serious lol? So landon cassill better?
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
Nascar has always been about being able to attract and maintain sponsorship as being good may get you some notice but if you don't have the ability to bring or attract money the only way you will get to see a race live is to buy a ticket. In stick and ball sports it is all about performance and the moment you can no longer perform you are kicked to the curb plain and simple.

IDK what is happening with RPM and Bubba but I suspect the team will shut down for the year and never come back. IDK what kind of ask RPM has of a primary sponsor per race but I would have to think it would be 250K and that is a lot of money given the state of the series. What would be ideal is if the black business community could rally around Bubba and RPM and put something together for him.
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I would love to see Jordan brand as his main sponsor
 
BobbyFord said:
Casill isn’t winning either.
Wallace asked to be released from JGR and was hired by RFR. He underperformed in the 6 car and tore up a lot of equipment. He had Ford sponsorship at RFR.
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He was 4th or 6th in standings before he lost all sponsorship when everybody else behind he was able to keep running lol.. this isn't even anything to argue about lol.. anybody with eyes can see what's going on here..
 
Thegeneral23 said:
He was 4th or 6th in standings before he lost all sponsorship when everybody else behind he was able to keep running lol.. this isn't even anything to argue about lol.. anybody with eyes can see what's going on here..
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If Bubba have 2 or 3 Xfin wins do you think he’d be more marketable?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Huh? Those sports are only slightly more diverse than NASCAR, just dominated differently.
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Slightly more than NASCAR? A lot of the lineman are white . The kicker is white the quarterbacks are white. That's just to name a few.. and it's some in basketball and a lot more in baseball than blacks.. so are you really trying to compare other sports to NASCAR come on man.. but what I was getting at, those sports are based On skill and talent .. most of these guys come from nothing and have nothing else to do but come up through stick and balls .. with families with no money at all.. stick and ball isn't like NASCAR when you just have to have money and sponsors to get you in.. Paul menard driving just because of his dad.. name one person in stick and ball playing just because they have money lol.. you can't name not one!
 
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