Impact on NASCAR without Gordon, Stewart, and Dale Jr.

MRM

MRM

Team Owner
Joined
Jun 14, 2002
Messages
5,665
Points
793
Location
Powell, TN
Jeff Gordon retired last year and ran a few races this year for Junior. Tony Stewart is retiring, only has 3 more races left. These are two very popular drivers. Just suppose that Dale Jr. has to stop driving because of his concussion problems. That rumor is out there, but time will tell if there's anything to do. Dale Jr. is the most popular driver in the sport. What would a 2017 season look like with these three drivers no longer racing? If tracks can't fill the stands now, how do they expect to sell tickets with those 3 gone?
 
I'm sure it'll have a small impact, but most race fans will continue to follow the sport after their favorite driver retires. There are a lot of other drivers to root for.
 
Many good drivers that I was a fan of have gone, even ones that came before the 3 that was mentioned. But the sport has still thrived and there has always been someone who has stepped up to take their place. Looks like there is a very good crop of young talented drivers on the horizon that could take their place.
 
It's been a long long time since there were no (competitive) Earnhardts in the field. It's definitely going to have an impact when that day comes.

Chase will most certainly take over as most popular but I hope the delusional JR fans stay away. The ones on here are great but I've encountered far too many crazy ones.
 
The sport has been losing large shares of interest with them. The immediate effect won't be good. The only hope is that the absence of these reliable stars creates a void that forces NASCAR to market itself and its younger drivers differently, and that somehow works.
 
I don't know about you all, but, for me, as long as it entertains me I will be a fan. Matt is my guy and has been since I saw him run at Charlotte in his second year of cup, but, when he retires I will find another regular to cheer for and with the large crop of young guns moving up to cup it may be a hard choice, but, I will still be a fan of Nascar racing.
 
I know I'm probably different from most fans, but I plan to be a fan of the #2 team for a long time regardless of who's behind the wheel. In fact, I find myself rooting for rusty and the 2 if I go back and watch old races from the 90's. Obviously I'm content with Brad for the foreseeable future, but if something were to happen and sponsors/drivers were to move around I would trust Roger Penske to make the right moves to keep the deuce up front where it belongs. I'd liken it to being a diehard fan of a football team, regardless of who is quarterback.
 
Clutch said:
The bigger impact on Nascar was when Bill France Jr. left
Click to expand...
Wow........ you said a mouthful there my friend!!!!!!!! That was the very biggest impact we have ever seen..... the transition from Bill Sr. and Jr. was very smooth .... not even a blip on the screen... just a forward march onward..... not so much with Jr. to Brian.....
 
AdoubleU24 said:
It's been a long long time since there were no (competitive) Earnhardts in the field. It's definitely going to have an impact when that day comes.

Chase will most certainly take over as most popular but I hope the delusional JR fans stay away. The ones on here are great but I've encountered far too many crazy ones.
Click to expand...

Delusional fans do a great disservice to the person or team they support as do blind partisans. It is great to be a fan of someone but there is a line that is definitely crossed by some. I don't think much of Shrub but I will freely acknowledge he is a very good driver as it is the truth.
 
I have watched racing legends retire and walk away for many, many years and I have never seen it really be an affect on the series they walked away from. I don't think Nascar will be any different.
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
The sport survived countless including the King. It will do just fine.
Click to expand...
I thought this for a long time. Times have changed since then.

Sure NASCAR is surviving after Petty, but in the many years since Earnhardt's passing the sport's popularity is falling faster than a drunk on a mountain bike. With no light at the end of the tunnel. Gordon's retirement hurts more than helps, and once Jr is gone life support should be on the way.

So yes, obviously NASCAR will survive this round of superstars exiting. But this time, there really isnt anything there to fill the shoes. There hasnt been a real rivalry since Gordon/Earnhardt. Theres hardly any reason to be left in suspense for the next weekend's race. NASCAR will survive, but only as a rotgut shell of it's former self.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
I thought this for a long time. Times have changed since then.

Sure NASCAR is surviving after Petty, but in the many years since Earnhardt's passing the sport's popularity is falling faster than a drunk on a mountain bike. With no light at the end of the tunnel. Gordon's retirement hurts more than helps, and once Jr is gone life support should be on the way.

So yes, obviously NASCAR will survive this round of superstars exiting. But this time, there really isnt anything there to fill the shoes. There hasnt been a real rivalry since Gordon/Earnhardt. Theres hardly any reason to be left in suspense for the next weekend's race. NASCAR will survive, but only as a rotgut shell of it's former self.
Click to expand...

We already have a new rivalry between Ryan and Chase, at least in my mind there is. It will be great when Ryan is full time in a Penske car but the Wood Bros has been good for his break in year. Soon JGR will have a new driver that will be Kyle's problem. I see many good drivers coming that will make the racing exciting if only NASCAR would quit meddling.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Chase will most certainly take over as most popular but I hope the delusional JR fans stay away. The ones on here are great but I've encountered far too many crazy ones.
Click to expand...
The delusional fans wear all kinds of shirts on Sunday. Not just those of us sporting our Earnhardt attire.
 
The problem I see with the new crop of kids in racing is that they are beholden to their sponsors more than ever. They are trained from the beginning if you have a bad day, not to get out and throw your helmet or show that you had anything but the best day possible. It makes it hard to really connect with these guys like you could with Sr, Stewart, Rusty, etc. You knew when they had a bad day because they'd get out the car and tell you exactly like it was. So, while there may be lots of talent coming up, there's not much personality there to follow. You need that in racing. I think that is part of why NASCAR became so big once upon a time. And part of why they are having so much trouble keeping interest now.
 
Nichodemus said:
The problem I see with the new crop of kids in racing is that they are beholden to their sponsors more than ever. They are trained from the beginning if you have a bad day, not to get out and throw your helmet or show that you had anything but the best day possible. It makes it hard to really connect with these guys like you could with Sr, Stewart, Rusty, etc. You knew when they had a bad day because they'd get out the car and tell you exactly like it was. So, while there may be lots of talent coming up, there's not much personality there to follow. You need that in racing. I think that is part of why NASCAR became so big once upon a time. And part of why they are having so much trouble keeping interest now.
Click to expand...
Announcer, "What happened."
Sterlin Marlin: "It Blowed up."
 
Can you imagine trying to reel in some of the drivers from back in the day. I dare you, tell AJ not to cuss. Try and shut Darryl up. The guys had these monstrous personalities, I'm sure a lot of today's guys are the same but they're not allowed.
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
Can you imagine trying to reel in some of the drivers from back in the day. I dare you, tell AJ not to cuss. Try and shut Darryl up. The guys had these monstrous personalities, I'm sure a lot of today's guys are the same but they're not allowed.
Click to expand...
That....... and the stringent rules they are under...... cars are measured to 1/64 of an inch... Jeez man..... give me a break!!!!!!! Pit road speeds measured meticuosly.... where's the ingenuity? Where's Smokey , Dale Inman, Gary Nelson all those great crew chiefs that pushed the limit of the ''gray'' area..... Nascar has such a strangle hold on them now..... Even Chad Knauss can't find a way to cheat....... that was a great part of it...... who can find the next secret..... and you are spot on that the drivers are so scared about losing a sponsor because they might say the wrong thing or do something wrong...... Between all of the stuff that has gone on the last few years.... It's no wonder the interest has fallen off.....
 
kymartin6 said:
That....... and the stringent rules they are under...... cars are measured to 1/64 of an inch... Jeez man..... give me a break!!!!!!! Pit road speeds measured meticuosly.... where's the ingenuity? Where's Smokey , Dale Inman, Gary Nelson all those great crew chiefs that pushed the limit of the ''gray'' area..... Nascar has such a strangle hold on them now..... Even Chad Knauss can't find a way to cheat....... that was a great part of it...... who can find the next secret..... and you are spot on that the drivers are so scared about losing a sponsor because they might say the wrong thing or do something wrong...... Between all of the stuff that has gone on the last few years.... It's no wonder the interest has fallen off.....
Click to expand...
NASCAR needs a panel of us old farts to run it. We'll get it back in shape.
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
NASCAR needs a panel of us old farts to run it. We'll get it back in shape.
Click to expand...
I really don't see how it could be worse....... maybe it could..... but....... the changes that have been made over the last 12 years just seem to be getting worse and worse..... usually.... management can't admit they are failing miserably because their ego is so large.....
 
R Clarence said:
I wouldn't bet anything valuable on that.
Click to expand...
He's the closest thing to Smokey we have now...... I'm not a Bowtie fanatic....... but... I appreciate ''inventiveness''...... if they find that extra little bit ........ more power to them...... I always enjoyed Dick Beatty when he was Competition Director.... he was always fair and I think all the teams and crew chiefs really respected him because he done his job ...... When he was there.. it reminded me of the old Looney Tunes cartoon with the Sheepdog and the wolf or coyote or whatever... at the beginning..... they both punched the timeclock..... proceeded to do their job.... Coyote tried to get the sheep......... Sheepdog protected them.... at the end of the day..... punched the timeclock again..... as they left it was........ ''Night Ralph....... Night Sam''....... they both left knowing they had done their job....... no animosity...... knew they'd be back at 7 tommorrow doing the same thing.........
 
It might be micro managed but JGR still found something to make the other teams work harder.
 
Nichodemus said:
The problem I see with the new crop of kids in racing is that they are beholden to their sponsors more than ever. They are trained from the beginning if you have a bad day, not to get out and throw your helmet or show that you had anything but the best day possible. It makes it hard to really connect with these guys like you could with Sr, Stewart, Rusty, etc. You knew when they had a bad day because they'd get out the car and tell you exactly like it was. So, while there may be lots of talent coming up, there's not much personality there to follow. You need that in racing. I think that is part of why NASCAR became so big once upon a time. And part of why they are having so much trouble keeping interest now.
Click to expand...
Social media and sponsors has a lot to do with how much drivers show their personalities also. Now days if fans don't like something a driver does they can use social media to boycott a sponsor and without the sponsorships the teams will not stay in business for very long.
 
Nichodemus said:
The problem I see with the new crop of kids in racing is that they are beholden to their sponsors more than ever. They are trained from the beginning if you have a bad day, not to get out and throw your helmet or show that you had anything but the best day possible. It makes it hard to really connect with these guys like you could with Sr, Stewart, Rusty, etc. You knew when they had a bad day because they'd get out the car and tell you exactly like it was. So, while there may be lots of talent coming up, there's not much personality there to follow. You need that in racing. I think that is part of why NASCAR became so big once upon a time. And part of why they are having so much trouble keeping interest now.
Click to expand...

Good thing Cole Custer is here to break the mold and go back to old days.

Personally. I think if Erik Jones, Chase Elliott, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek can stick around in Cup, we could possibly have some decent rivalries. No offense because I like Buescher, but Buescher, Blaney, Bowman, Austin & Ty Dillon are guys that I don't see the general fanbase could latch onto. Byron seems like a Jimmie Johnson type where he will be really good, but he almost seems to carry himself too well if that makes any sense.
 
Last edited:
AuzGrams said:
Good thing Cole Custer is here to break the mold and go back to old days.

Personally. I think if Erik Jones, Chase Elliott, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek can stick around in Cup, we could possibly have some decent rivalries. No offense because I like Buescher, but Buescher, Blaney, Bowman, Austin & Ty Dillon are guys that I don't see the general fanbase could latch onto. Byron seems like a Jimmie Johnson type where he will be really good, but he almost seems to carry himself too well if that makes any sense.
Click to expand...
I can understand some fans not latching on to the Dillon bros because of the silver spoon feelings... but why do you feel Blaney and Bowman won't get any love from the fans? I don't personally know Blaney but I do Bowman and he is a good kid with a good since of humor that started in quarter midgets and worked very hard to make his way into the Cup cars and has done a pretty good job I feel.
 
Last edited:
I don't think drivers retiring will cause people to turn away from Nascar more than I see there being no hook to bring new fans aboard. I like the Pittsburgh Steelers just fine but the reason I watch their games is so I can see Ben Rothilisberger play as the guy is big, strong, mobile and accurate. I like the Pittsburgh Penguins just fine but I tune in to see Sidney Crosby play as the kid is amazing and worth the price of admission.

I know there are some very good drivers in Nascar but what they do in car and on track is not as easily translatable as stick and ball heroics and I think that will be just another problem Nascar has to deal with.
 
Nitro Dude said:
I can understand some fans not latching on to the Dillon bros because of the silver spoon feelings... but why do you feel Blaney and Bowman won't get any love from the fans?
Click to expand...

I don't mind the Dillon's or Paul Menard as they may not have had to do as much as others to get and maintain a ride but as a parent and grandparent I want nice things for them and if I have the opportunity to help get then nice things I will. JLo had a ton of help coming up and I don't resent that one bit and obviously Danica can certainly get by in cup but from a purely performance based outlook there are other drivers who would get better results in the 10 car. However the 10 car would probably not even exist unless Danica was at the helm so it is really a moot point.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
I don't mind the Dillon's or Paul Menard as they may not have had to do as much as others to get and maintain a ride but as a parent and grandparent I want nice things for them and if I have the opportunity to help get then nice things I will. JLo had a ton of help coming up and I don't resent that one bit and obviously Danica can certainly get by in cup but from a purely performance based outlook there are other drivers who would get better results in the 10 car. However the 10 car would probably not even exist unless Danica was at the helm so it is really a moot point.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. I have never really been concerned about how much money kids grow up with...i'm more concerned about how they carry themselves through life with the money they grow up with.
 
be9ak7ts16 said:
We all know what NASCAR did when they couldn't figure out what Gary Nelson was doing................ They hired him.
Click to expand...

Guys like Nelson, Darby Helton and Brian France have had a very negative cumulative impact on Nascar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom