Interest builds around possible changes to NASCAR schedule

pjmolo said:
Great idea.

Metra trains from that area take about an hour or less to get to Union Station, which is about a mile and a half from the race site.
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Absolutely, I thinks its the Milwaukee west line?
 
MRM said:
NASCAR did the same thing in the late 90's and early 20's. They saw an initial boom, then the bottom fell out.
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They also went to these markets with cookie cutter tracks that produced lackluster racing.

Here's the thing about Los Angeles and Chicago, if the races don't work out, they can just pack their **** up and go home. Literally. They're not left holding a big piece of property that they have to do something, anything, with.
 
NASCAR teams already getting ready for Chicago.
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As far as Daytona not wanting the 4th any longer cause it gives them an "extra" major weekend, I'd like to know when's the last time they ventured over to the beach side and took a look around at their own city. The hotels suck but charge insanely high room rates, there's hardly any notable restaurants, the boardwalk has 1/4 of what it had 10+ years ago, and gift shops were mostly wiped out during Covid and sit as empty buildings with overgrown landscaping. The area is terribly run down.

I've spent my life going there during summers and for the 4th of July race, and after last year we made the decision to take a break from it (the beach side) for a bit. They've got major work to do cause there's absolutely zero reason to go there for the 4th of July if there's no race in town.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
As far as Daytona not wanting the 4th any longer cause it gives them an "extra" major weekend, I'd like to know when's the last time they ventured over to the beach side and took a look around at their own city. The hotels suck but charge insanely high room rates, there's hardly any notable restaurants, the boardwalk has 1/4 of what it had 10+ years ago, and gift shops were mostly wiped out during Covid and sit as empty buildings with overgrown landscaping. The area is terribly run down.

I've spent my life going there during summers and for the 4th of July race, and after last year we made the decision to take a break from it (the beach side) for a bit. They've got major work to do cause there's absolutely zero reason to go there for the 4th of July if there's no race in town.
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I haven’t been to Daytona since 2018. We always stayed at the Holiday Inn on the beach and would spend most of our time on the beach until Race day. To be honest I always felt that side of town was always run down, it’s sad to hear it’s more so since Covid.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
As far as Daytona not wanting the 4th any longer cause it gives them an "extra" major weekend, I'd like to know when's the last time they ventured over to the beach side and took a look around at their own city. The hotels suck but charge insanely high room rates, there's hardly any notable restaurants, the boardwalk has 1/4 of what it had 10+ years ago, and gift shops were mostly wiped out during Covid and sit as empty buildings with overgrown landscaping. The area is terribly run down.

I've spent my life going there during summers and for the 4th of July race, and after last year we made the decision to take a break from it (the beach side) for a bit. They've got major work to do cause there's absolutely zero reason to go there for the 4th of July if there's no race in town.
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Jorge De Guzman said:
I haven’t been to Daytona since 2018. We always stayed at the Holiday Inn on the beach and would spend most of our time on the beach until Race day. To be honest I always felt that side of town was always run down, it’s sad to hear it’s more so since Covid.
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Thanks for the insight, guys. I haven't been to Daytona since I was a kid in the 90's. I'm trying to figure out when we'll have the chance to make it to a race there and plan a vacation around it. We'll probably stay in Ormond Beach or New Smyrna but open to suggestions.

I'm surprised and disappointed to hear Daytona Beach isn't as nice as it once was. I'm more familiar with the gulf coast beaches, been to St. Pete/Clearwater a couple dozen times, and just kind of assumed Daytona was as popular.
 
Formerjackman said:
I think all things considered, time has shown that the largest national markets are the ones that care the LEAST about NASCAR. You can either keep beating your head against the wall chasing the unlikely or impossible, OR go to markets where you ARE wanted and where you can make a real difference in the local economy and garner local support. Sort of like Road America............. I also think that if you are THAT dead set on trying to win people over in the biggest market, you try to do it with the BEST you have to offer, not pointless gimmicks like football stadiums and street courses. To me it's like trying to convince people to start watching baseball by having the Dodgers and Yankees play soccer.
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What is it costing them to try this though? It's just shutting down some existing roads, it isn't like they needed to build some infrastructure to take a shot and then leave with their tails between their legs if it wasn't embraced. So they being the sport to a bunch of people on a massive population center. What's wrong with that?

Also people don't seem, from what I've read in general on social media in terms of reactions, to understand that Chicago is an amazing city. This is a really good draw to go to the city for a race and still have other stuff to do as a mini-vacation, or if you live there already then it's a train ride away. What's the downside?
 
cheesepuffs said:
What is it costing them to try this though? It's just shutting down some existing roads, it isn't like they needed to build some infrastructure to take a shot and then leave with their tails between their legs if it wasn't embraced. So they being the sport to a bunch of people on a massive population center. What's wrong with that?

Also people don't seem, from what I've read in general on social media in terms of reactions, to understand that Chicago is an amazing city. This is a really good draw to go to the city for a race and still have other stuff to do as a mini-vacation, or if you live there already then it's a train ride away. What's the downside?
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It has to do with change by people who live in a box. The same ones complain when there isn't change and write pages after pages criticizing "cookie cutters" tracks.
 
StandOnIt said:
It has to do with change by people who live in a box. The same ones complain when there isn't change and write pages after pages criticizing "cookie cutters" tracks.
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this is exactly it. Just my opinion but there was nothing wrong with the schedule as it was. Call me crazy, but You kind of always knew where the circuit was going to be at a specific time frame of the year and I took solace in that in planning races and vacations around it as well as it was in a weird way comforting because you knew "oh july its daytona/chicagoland pocono/new hampshire/" time. Did it need some tweaking? sure probably, not gonna debate that. The problem is the attention span of other newer fans was short, they got bored and now NASCAR is swinging for the fences Home Run Derby style. and these same people who wanted change are going to complain because its not the change they specifically wanted and the ones that are going to complain are going to complain anyway. It's a thankless job, but I'm beginning to wonder if the nascar fan base knows what they want. I think the spectacle of NASCAR racing in the city is going to look cool and I think the time has come to try some of these wild ideas, it just seems that theres going to be upset fans no matter which way you go.
 
eh, drivers are the same way. Some of the 20 year vets don't want any changes to the cars, track etc and they are media darlings voicing their displeasure, but others look forward to something new to try and race on. They very seldom get interviewed.
 
I’ve asked the question, challenging those who know where to look and how to look, to determine if viewership is up in Los Angeles major market, California overall, or western states this year. Ostensibly if the Coliseum event was so compelling, you’d expect a rise in viewership there that would exceed the current average nationwide. it might be, have no idea, but I’d bet there was little to no rise in ratings as a result. Doesn’t mean the exhibition wasn’t worth doing. I just think every “swing for the fences” idea is not going to be a winner.

Chicago street racing will get a lot of hoopla as NASCAR will promote the heck out of it. First race will likely be strongly attended/watched. Follow up races will decide if It survives.
 
Conover said:
I’ve asked the question, challenging those who know where to look and how to look, to determine if viewership is up in Los Angeles major market, California overall, or western states this year. Ostensibly if the Coliseum event was so compelling, you’d expect a rise in viewership there that would exceed the current average nationwide. it might be, have no idea, but I’d bet there was little to no rise in ratings as a result. Doesn’t mean the exhibition wasn’t worth doing. I just think every “swing for the fences” idea is not going to be a winner.

Chicago street racing will get a lot of hoopla as NASCAR will promote the heck out of it. First race will likely be strongly attended/watched. Follow up races will decide if It survives.
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Who says it was a "swing for the fences". Some people panic when something different is offered. The coliseum race is on the schedule again this year. BTW the contract for Chicago is for three years. If they stay or move after that is in the wind a long time from now.
 
StandOnIt said:
Who says it was a "swing for the fences". Some people panic when something different is offered. The coliseum race is on the schedule again this year. BTW the contract for Chicago is for three years. If they stay or move after that is in the wind a long time from now.
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I borrowed a phrase someone else used earlier regarding this event, which speaks to the “type” of event designed for a major market and PR value more than the racing itself. The coliseum exhibition was heavily hyped, pushed for “star power” among the attendees and performers, while the racing was marginal. Have no idea how the street race will go, but it just looks tight and congested for large Cup cars. The worst part was dumping Road America for it.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
As far as Daytona not wanting the 4th any longer cause it gives them an "extra" major weekend, I'd like to know when's the last time they ventured over to the beach side and took a look around at their own city. The hotels suck but charge insanely high room rates, there's hardly any notable restaurants, the boardwalk has 1/4 of what it had 10+ years ago, and gift shops were mostly wiped out during Covid and sit as empty buildings with overgrown landscaping. The area is terribly run down.

I've spent my life going there during summers and for the 4th of July race, and after last year we made the decision to take a break from it (the beach side) for a bit. They've got major work to do cause there's absolutely zero reason to go there for the 4th of July if there's no race in town.
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I work in the hospitality industry and since they moved the race we are still booked for the 4th. Probably our 2nd busiest day of the year.
 
Jorge De Guzman said:
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I can’t read the article, but I don’t really see it. NASCAR still owns it and hasn’t shown any intention of bringing Trucks and/or Xfinity back there. They don’t have to do anything this weekend except lease it to Penske. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see NASCAR racing back there, but a Cup race is a huge stretch considering how much they’ve detached themselves from the place.
 
FLRacingFan said:
I can’t read the article, but I don’t really see it. NASCAR still owns it and hasn’t shown any intention of bringing Trucks and/or Xfinity back there. They don’t have to do anything this weekend except lease it to Penske. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see NASCAR racing back there, but a Cup race is a huge stretch considering how much they’ve detached themselves from the place.
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There is also literally nothing there.
 
pjmolo said:
Closing off Grant Park for two weeks isn't that big of a deal but shutting down Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue for a significant length of time will cause a real sh!t-storm.
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And shutting down those two streets in the middle of summer/tourist season(guessing here but it’s going to take time to set up course as well take it down) as well as a holiday weekend....disaster I tell ya.
 
2 Sweet said:
What? Why???
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Interesting that attendance appears to be increasing at many tracks and they are tearing down these great seats. Something I have enjoyed over the past several years was going to a race and not be "crammed" into a seat. Maybe they think the TV optics looks better, but from a spectator perspective it makes the overall experience less satisfying.
 
DIDIT said:
Interesting that attendance appears to be increasing at many tracks and they are tearing down these great seats. Something I have enjoyed over the past several years was going to a race and not be "crammed" into a seat. Maybe they think the TV optics looks better, but from a spectator perspective it makes the overall experience less satisfying.
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Nailed it.
 
StandOnIt said:
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Could they not just tear out the backstretch seats beneath the RVs for a spectator mound? They’re already all covered with ad tarps.

StandOnIt said:
Hello Pittsburgh

www.post-gazette.com

Tourism officials would 'love' to follow Chicago, stage NASCAR street race in Pittsburgh

Next year, NASCAR will stage its first street race since the 1950s in Chicago, right along the shores of Lake Michigan. And if Pittsburgh tourism officials...
www.post-gazette.com www.post-gazette.com
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Pittsburgh may want NASCAR, but I highly doubt NASCAR wants Pittsburgh.
 
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