Autoweek: Chase Elliott winning is the fix NASCAR needs the most

YES Chase winning helps a ton!!!! I can't believe people are saying its not. Its so so easy to see why chase is easy to like. The guy doesn't blame anyone else and acts as humble as can be. He puts off that he is simply glad to be there and greatful for the experience. as I was watching the race yesterday and don't get me wrong I don't hate harvick. Harvick is a needed personality the sport has to have. He is a character and brings, well the stuff harvick brings. From mouthing off to pushing Brad into jeff and getting a fight going. But when I saw him pull 8 seconds on second place in half of a fuel run I thought here we go again. Having one of the big 3 pull a huge lead and spank everyone else isn't a race I want to watch quite frankly.

the sport is badly needing a cast of characters, dale, jeff, tony, carl, matt, basically the sports most colorful characters aren't racing anymore. Even though none of those guys were our driver maybe, they all stirred up stuff on and off the track that helped keep the story interesting. The sport has a vaccum the needs to be filled because all these guys left at once. Chase winning sure help!!!
 
NASCAR's decline is due to a changing society...mainly regarding the way people spend their free time and their lack of disposable income.

No driver, gimmick, car change, new track, old track, or anything is going to change this decline. It's just a changing world. We are witnessing the decline of spectator sports in America.



I posted this in the Death bed thread a month ago...I'm not a "deathbedder" but this sums of my view pretty nicely.

10 years ago who would have expected...
1. Cord cutting
2. The decline in value for mass-media advertising (example- TV commercials) for social media and pinpointed consumer advertising
3. Cell phone bills destroying people's disposable income for actual fun things like attending spectator sports
4. The inability for people in their 20s and 30s (the prime advertising demos) to afford things like cable TV...never mind the things cable TV was advertising to them...buying a new Toyota Camry, a new bed from Furniture Row, solar panels from DC solar...

The NFL finally cracking is proof that this is not a NASCAR problem...its a change in society. Sports used to be (and still are) mainstream in American society but that is QUICKLY changing as society and technology change.
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It is always confusing when you have black and white thinkers. You can say I don't think the stars are going to raise Nascar's popularity that much, and they read that like 0% and here they go.:p They miss the point. People of the grey area should probably use a scale and say something like on a scale 1 thru 10, having Nascar star drivers is about a 3 on raising the popularity of the sport. Many fans back in the day for example weren't all Sr, or Gordon fans but those drivers got most of the juice from the press. Case in point was although Bill Elliott won a fraction of the races of those two, he has the record for being the most popular driver. Most people are herd animals, when the herd thinks something is good here they come and pack it in. They flee just as quickly and like Speedbowl14 post s above, those are some valid reasons for the decline, there are many, but it really dosen't matter if you are a fan IMO, it just weeds out the people for whatever reason again that anybody can think up. Deathbedders do their best to try to figure out something that nobody can figure out.
 
Chase Elliott winning winds up the biggest fanbase currently in NASCAR, and might move the needle just a little bit for NASCAR, but overall, the difference is still minuscule.

Nevertheless, it is good to have a potentially most popular driver who is also competing for wins regularly!
 
StandOnIt said:
It is always confusing when you have black and white thinkers. You can say I don't think the stars are going to raise Nascar's popularity that much, and they read that like 0% and here they go.:p They miss the point. People of the grey area should probably use a scale and say something like on a scale 1 thru 10, having Nascar star drivers is about a 3 on raising the popularity of the sport. Many fans back in the day for example weren't all Sr, or Gordon fans but those drivers got most of the juice from the press. Case in point was although Bill Elliott won a fraction of the races of those two, he has the record for being the most popular driver. Most people are herd animals, when the herd thinks something is good here they come and pack it in. They flee just as quickly and like Speedbowl14 post s above, those are some valid reasons for the decline, there are many, but it really dosen't matter if you are a fan IMO, it just weeds out the people for whatever reason again that anybody can think up. Deathbedders do their best to try to figure out something that nobody can figure out.
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I don't think very many people really think Nascar is going out of business or very many think that it is all peaches and cream either. My own opinion is that NASCAR made a series of changes to the sport in rapid succession that turned off many longtime fans so they left. Unfortunately the changes didn't entice many newcomers and when you couple that with the change in car culture you end up with what we have now.

I believe the drop off in ratings, attendance and sponsorship will not doom things but it is possible it could lead to less races, shorter races and less series.
 
Andy loves to show how much he dislikes the 9 driver, every chance he gets.
 
Revman said:
No, he is just objective which in the eyes of Chase Nation makes him a disliker I guess.
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Formerjackman said:
I disagree with this somewhat. I know a LOT of Jeff Gordon fans and even some Dale Earnhardt fans that wouldn't have known the difference between a carburetor and a water pump. In fact, I'd venture to say that more than 50% of Jeff Godron's fans at his peak probably would be lucky to know how to check their own oil. You're right that the lessening interest in cars IS a problem, but the lack of mega star personalities is a far bigger problem.
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You don't have to be mechanical minded to enjoy driving fast cars. It might help if you want to make your own car faster. Working on your own car isn't really possible any more unless you have a $3000. diagnostic machine to help you. Some cars no longer even have a dipstick for the auto transmission. That is one reason why the car culture is dying off.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
YES Chase winning helps a ton!!!! I can't believe people are saying its not. Its so so easy to see why chase is easy to like. The guy doesn't blame anyone else and acts as humble as can be. He puts off that he is simply glad to be there and greatful for the experience. as I was watching the race yesterday and don't get me wrong I don't hate harvick. Harvick is a needed personality the sport has to have. He is a character and brings, well the stuff harvick brings. From mouthing off to pushing Brad into jeff and getting a fight going. But when I saw him pull 8 seconds on second place in half of a fuel run I thought here we go again. Having one of the big 3 pull a huge lead and spank everyone else isn't a race I want to watch quite frankly.

the sport is badly needing a cast of characters, dale, jeff, tony, carl, matt, basically the sports most colorful characters aren't racing anymore. Even though none of those guys were our driver maybe, they all stirred up stuff on and off the track that helped keep the story interesting. The sport has a vaccum the needs to be filled because all these guys left at once. Chase winning sure help!!!
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I have no problem replacing the drivers who have left with some new ones. My biggest challenge was getting over DE death and having his son helped for awhile then I dumped him. Today I have 3 Penske cars and the 9. I am looking forward to some other new ones like Bell and Hemric. I guess you could say I am a race fan. :D
 
Maybe I'm being more socially dense than usual but I don't see how any one driver, or even a few, are going to draw new fans from outside the sport. If nobody outside the current fan base has heard of Chase or Ryan or Kyle L., why would they care how often any of them win?

There are plenty of sports I don't watch, and a string of wins by any one competitor or team isn't going to increase my interest in the slightest.
 
eh, Elliott captured more old timers who liked his dad and were looking around for somebody to root for after Gordon retired, probably has quite a few Jr. fans also compared to newer fans. I know I pull for him, it helps to come from a racing family. I like Blaney also, I wish he was as animated at the track as he is doing his pod cast. Elliott has come a long way talking to the press IMO, good to see.
 
I went to a predominantly minority Hooters on Sunday while the race was on TV. Lots of people wearing his gear and screaming when he won the race.
 
I don't know what Chase could have done to make anyone dislike him. He races clean and he takes responsibility and is accountable for all he does. IDK if it is some petty jealousy or a dislike of his fans or something else but whatever it is seems silly.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Maybe I'm being more socially dense than usual but I don't see how any one driver, or even a few, are going to draw new fans from outside the sport. If nobody outside the current fan base has heard of Chase or Ryan or Kyle L., why would they care how often any of them win?

There are plenty of sports I don't watch, and a string of wins by any one competitor or team isn't going to increase my interest in the slightest.
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I just remember the rise of first the Dale Earnhardt and then the Jeff Gordon phenomenon where people that didn't even watch the races, maybe had NEVER watched a race were suddenly identifying with these drivers and following them. My grandmother who was in her 80's and had never followed racing in her entire life fell in love with Jeff Gordon and was always asking me about him and how he was doing. One of my great memories of her was watching the 1997 Winston with her a few months before she died and how excited she got when Jeff won the race. I don't know if that kind of thing CAN happen again, but I think it's worth trying to get drivers like Chase out before the world and see what happens. I'm not much of an NBA fan, but I'd stop and watch a Bulls game just to see what Jordan was up too. I know a LOT of people that suddenly started watching golf when Tiger came on the scene. That trend continues to this day. I DO think that winning at a high level makes a huge difference.
 
IanMcVittie said:
I don't know what Chase could have done to make anyone dislike him. He races clean and he takes responsibility and is accountable for all he does. IDK if it is some petty jealousy or a dislike of his fans or something else but whatever it is seems silly.
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I'm not sure that anyone dislikes him.....the media thing is stupid though....Claire B. Lang's "Chasing History" is pathetic. Anyone with two wins is "chasing history," but Chase has his own show. I don't mind Chase a bit, but the overexposure is brutal.
 
Taco said:
I went to a predominantly minority Hooters on Sunday while the race was on TV. Lots of people wearing his gear and screaming when he won the race.
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There are some quality analytics for ya. Geez.....
 
Formerjackman said:
I just remember the rise of first the Dale Earnhardt and then the Jeff Gordon phenomenon where people that didn't even watch the races, maybe had NEVER watched a race were suddenly identifying with these drivers and following them. My grandmother who was in her 80's and had never followed racing in her entire life fell in love with Jeff Gordon and was always asking me about him and how he was doing. One of my great memories of her was watching the 1997 Winston with her a few months before she died and how excited she got when Jeff won the race. I don't know if that kind of thing CAN happen again, but I think it's worth trying to get drivers like Chase out before the world and see what happens. I'm not much of an NBA fan, but I'd stop and watch a Bulls game just to see what Jordan was up too. I know a LOT of people that suddenly started watching golf when Tiger came on the scene. That trend continues to this day. I DO think that winning at a high level makes a huge difference.
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It seems to me those are the types of fans that don't stick with a sport after their hero moves on.
 
Revman said:
I'm not sure that anyone dislikes him.....the media thing is stupid though....Claire B. Lang's "Chasing History" is pathetic. Anyone with two wins is "chasing history," but Chase has his own show. I don't mind Chase a bit, but the overexposure is brutal.
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I won't argue with the Claire B. point as I agree that it's silly. ( I will point out that it is most likely a paid informercial if you will for NAPA on a network desperate for listeners.) I guess now you might be able to see what it was like for the rest of us to sit through all the sob stories of ADVERSITY for the MTJ last year EVERY. DAMN. WEEK. We get it. Why not focus on just how this small team from Denver whipped everyone's asses? The media is going to focus on "stories" and popular drivers. Chase inherited popularity and has since backed it up with performance. Of course the media, who is suffering a freefall in ratings, will give him some shine. Perhaps is some other drivers with far better resumes weren't such consummate dickbags they could get a more favorable light as well. *Steps off soapbox*
 
Charlie Spencer said:
It seems to me those are the types of fans that don't stick with a sport after their hero moves on.
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There have been a few who posted that after so in so retired they lost interest. I don't get it but to each their own. I've never been a casual fan or auto racing or a big hero worshiper. I like the top three series of Nascar, plenty of drivers to root for, the World of Outlaws since I have been able to keep up with it a bit since YouTube makes that possible. Can't really say I have favorite drivers there, I just like to watch em, lots of action. Chili Bowl is awesome I agree with Larson, best race.
 
Revman said:
I'm not sure that anyone dislikes him.....the media thing is stupid though....Claire B. Lang's "Chasing History" is pathetic. Anyone with two wins is "chasing history," but Chase has his own show. I don't mind Chase a bit, but the overexposure is brutal.
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That there caused the start of Nascar's decline and the snow ball is still rolling.
 
Formerjackman said:
Well, maybe we just need to keep supplying them with new heroes to support, or for a new group to support.
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How about supplying them with competitive racing, so they'll be fans of the sport itself instead of individual drivers? How about a points and championship system that doesn't take a 3-credit hour college class before new fans can understand?
 
Revman said:
There are some quality analytics for ya. Geez.....
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I saw some KB gear in front of the dumpster.
Charlie Spencer said:
How about supplying them with competitive racing, so they'll be fans of the sport itself instead of individual drivers? How about a points and championship system that doesn't take a 3-credit hour college class before new fans can understand?
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Point system is easier to understand, in comparison to the taxes and fee's on a phone bill.
 
StandOnIt said:
That's a new one, overexposure. That would be deathbed prophecy #1764
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The one thing people in the late 80's early 90's wanted was more Nascar and the problem is/was they ended up with to much. No more candy please.
BTW the other problem and it exists still today is lazy reporting.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
How about supplying them with competitive racing, so they'll be fans of the sport itself instead of individual drivers? How about a points and championship system that doesn't take a 3-credit hour college class before new fans can understand?
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When has that ever been the case? Lol the thing that has always drawn most of us are certain drivers, for me it was Dale, Tony and now Kyle Larson. If it wasn’t for Larson I probably would’ve fallen out of the sport
 
Charlie Spencer said:
How about supplying them with competitive racing, so they'll be fans of the sport itself instead of individual drivers? How about a points and championship system that doesn't take a 3-credit hour college class before new fans can understand?
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that was in the the peak of Brian's purple haze baffle them with B.S. era and it stuck, ask Burton.
 
A popular and photogenic young guy like Chase winning is great and might help a bit, but the main things hurting NASCAR are the same as the things hurting MLB and NFL - it's just hard to fill large outdoor venues for sporting events nowadays. The TV experience and availability has just gotten so much better in recent years.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
It seems to me those are the types of fans that don't stick with a sport after their hero moves on.
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I agree as NASCAR does not need fickle fans that are here today and gone tomorrow. I think they need a base of fans that like the races and have favorite drivers but don't go to pieces when those drivers leaves the sport. I know when Tom Brady retires the event will have no bearing on NFL attendance or ratings.
 
Dr_B_UNC said:
I won't argue with the Claire B. point as I agree that it's silly. ( I will point out that it is most likely a paid informercial if you will for NAPA on a network desperate for listeners.) I guess now you might be able to see what it was like for the rest of us to sit through all the sob stories of ADVERSITY for the MTJ last year EVERY. DAMN. WEEK. We get it. Why not focus on just how this small team from Denver whipped everyone's asses? The media is going to focus on "stories" and popular drivers. Chase inherited popularity and has since backed it up with performance. Of course the media, who is suffering a freefall in ratings, will give him some shine. Perhaps is some other drivers with far better resumes weren't such consummate dickbags they could get a more favorable light as well. *Steps off soapbox*
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I agree with the media focus on "stories." The media admits it, and that is stupid. I will give MTJ a pass on all of that. It's cancer. It overrides everything. You cannot talk about Martin without talking about Sherry. Let's get a cure, and we won't have to worry about it anymore. What a great day that will be.
 
IanMcVittie said:
I know when Tom Brady retires the event will have no bearing on NFL attendance or ratings.
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Because NFL fans are fans of teams. Majority of NASCAR fans are fans on the driver rather than the entire team, much like basketball fans are usually fans of players.

If the Patriots decided one day to leave the NFL, then we’d see similar decreases.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Because NFL fans are fans of teams. Majority of NASCAR fans are fans on the driver rather than the entire team, much like basketball fans are usually fans of players.

If the Patriots decided one day to leave the NFL, then we’d see similar decreases.
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When I first started following NASCAR the manufacturer was huge in determining if you liked the team or driver but that doesn't apply much anymore. I agree that a lot of NASCAR fans are driver fans first and when a fave no longer races they may not watch as much or at all.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Maybe I'm being more socially dense than usual but I don't see how any one driver, or even a few, are going to draw new fans from outside the sport. If nobody outside the current fan base has heard of Chase or Ryan or Kyle L., why would they care how often any of them win?

There are plenty of sports I don't watch, and a string of wins by any one competitor or team isn't going to increase my interest in the slightest.
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I agree. As I've stated many times, the only thing that is going to attract new fans or get the former fans to come back is a long term rivalry (either real or perceived) between 2 big name drivers where the fans are "forced" to take a side. The perfect example is Jeff Gordon vs Dale Earnhardt Sr.
 
Jeff Turner said:
A popular and photogenic young guy like Chase winning is great and might help a bit, but the main things hurting NASCAR are the same as the things hurting MLB and NFL - it's just hard to fill large outdoor venues for sporting events nowadays. The TV experience and availability has just gotten so much better in recent years.
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That would've been a fine point when HD was getting off the ground...but now with the races being on non-mainstream channels like FS1 and NBCSN in an effort to attract cable subscribers to higher-priced cable tiers it's more about how the viewer is priced out. If you're not exposed to NASCAR on TV you certainly won't watch in person. The live NASCAR experience isn't conducive at all the a non-fan of the sport... unlike baseball where you can bring non-fans and they'll still have a good time.
 
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