Interesting article

HoneyBadger

HoneyBadger

I love short track racing (Taylor's Version)
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http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...speedway-officials-knew-empty-seats/11799483/

This part's interesting:
Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger said that NASCAR not only no longer provides attendance figures, but the sanctioning body doesn't allow tracks to formulate their own either.​

But, NASCAR and the tracks sure as hell can provide attendance figures if a race is sold out.

Also:
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported estimates of 60-80,000 fans on hand, including those in the infield.​

INCLUDING those in the infield? That's horrible.

Like I said in 2011, there's a reason NASCAR fought for years AGAINST going to Kentucky.
 
Empty seats aren't a Kentucky problem, they're a NASCAR problem. The best tracks on the circuit aren't coming close to selling out any more. I can go to Bristol on race day and buy a ticket in the ticket office. Unheard of years ago. I used to be on a waiting list for season tickets there for a long, long time. The economy is it's biggest foe. The tickets are the least expense in attending a race these days. Getting there. Staying there. Eating there. Each of these things are the biggest items on our budget attending a race. We go to far fewer races now than we ever have and we are probably going to have to cut back more next year. That has nothing to do with the on track product. It has everything to do with expense.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Empty seats aren't a Kentucky problem, they're a NASCAR problem. The best tracks on the circuit aren't coming close to selling out any more. I can go to Bristol on race day and buy a ticket in the ticket office. Unheard of years ago. I used to be on a waiting list for season tickets there for a long, long time. The economy is it's biggest foe. The tickets are the least expense in attending a race these days. Getting there. Staying there. Eating there. Each of these things are the biggest items on our budget attending a race. We go to far fewer races now than we ever have and we are probably going to have to cut back more next year. That has nothing to do with the on track product. It has everything to do with expense.
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YEP. We've cut back also and hate that we have to.
 
None of my friends go to races any more . Just too expensive and (sorry to say) the TV coverage is too good . There are so many cameras and pit reports today that sometimes you see more on TV than at the track . The track experience is something that every fan needs to be a part of , but I always say ...record the race and enjoy the experience .
 
By not releasing attendance figures nascar avoids giving itself a black eye. Or does it?
The article is right, it's the transportation, lodging and food expenses that keep a lot of people from attending.
 
For my part, I do notice when there's a glaring number of empty seats or if the place is packed to the hilt. But I sure as hell am not going to stop watching Nascar racing because of some empty seats.

I enjoy racing and if it ever comes a time when it causes me grief, I'll quit ******* watching - with the knowledge that Nascar will continue on without me.
 
ted@economy said:
None of my friends go to races any more . Just too expensive and (sorry to say) the TV coverage is too good . There are so many cameras and pit reports today that sometimes you see more on TV than at the track . The track experience is something that every fan needs to be a part of , but I always say ...record the race and enjoy the experience .
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This is the reason that I DVR the race to watch when I get home. I use it to see what they weren't showing me at the track. While the television coverage has multiple camera's it can still never cover the race as good as I can view it from my seat at the track. Those at home are watching the leader turn laps while I'm watching the race actually unfold in front of me. You get a great sense of the battles going on around the track that television does not convey. Sometimes the race for 17th spot is way better than the 2 second buffer between 1st and 2nd spots. Give me a scanner, a decent seat next to 60,000+ of my friends, & a six pack of Bud Light. I'll take that any day over my seat in front of my HD flat screen at home. :cool:
 
#17D500winner said:
For my part, I do notice when there's a glaring number of empty seats or if the place is packed to the hilt. But I sure as hell am not going to stop watching Nascar racing because of some empty seats.
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Leave the empty seat watching to Andy. ;)

When I see empty seats at the track I see room to stretch my legs, shorter lines at the restroom, easier egress, a more relaxing day.....
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Leave the empty seat watching to Andy. ;)

When I see empty seats at the track I see room to stretch my legs, shorter lines at the restroom, easier egress, a more relaxing day.....
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Yeah but most of us aren't seven feet tall like you. :p
 
Johali said:
Yeah but most of us aren't seven feet tall like you. :p
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To put it more into your perspective..... The reduction in attendance gives you more room for that second cooler full of Bud Light that you carry into a track. You drink like a fish. Fish drink, right? One time I saw you hop over three rows of chairs just to be first to the concession stand for more beer. Heck you went so fast all that was left of you was an empty cooler and a hat.

picsay-1398088008.jpg
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
To put it more into your perspective..... The reduction in attendance gives you more room for that second cooler full of Bud Light that you carry into a track. You drink like a fish. Fish drink, right? One time I saw you hop over three rows of chairs just to be first to the concession stand for more beer. Heck you went so fast all that was left of you was an empty cooler and a hat.

View attachment 13784
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Did you mug Jack Roush?
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Empty seats aren't a Kentucky problem, they're a NASCAR problem. The best tracks on the circuit aren't coming close to selling out any more. I can go to Bristol on race day and buy a ticket in the ticket office. Unheard of years ago. I used to be on a waiting list for season tickets there for a long, long time. The economy is it's biggest foe. The tickets are the least expense in attending a race these days. Getting there. Staying there. Eating there. Each of these things are the biggest items on our budget attending a race. We go to far fewer races now than we ever have and we are probably going to have to cut back more next year. That has nothing to do with the on track product. It has everything to do with expense.
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This. NASCAR Radio had a corporate executive that said the economy is booming now. Haven't they been saying that since '95? Those assholes are the reason we are in this mess. In addition, NASCAR Radio continues to beat that ticket price drum, and then Pistone strokes the tracks for lowering prices. Are you ****ting me? The tickets are the least of my expenses heading to a race. Fontana sold out this year BTW. However, seating capacity was reduced by widening seats--a practice other tracks have gone to....avoids the tarps I suppose. Regardless, I was proud of the Fontana crowd. NASCAR is coming back there.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
To put it more into your perspective..... The reduction in attendance gives you more room for that second cooler full of Bud Light that you carry into a track. You drink like a fish. Fish drink, right? One time I saw you hop over three rows of chairs just to be first to the concession stand for more beer. Heck you went so fast all that was left of you was an empty cooler and a hat.

View attachment 13784
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:XXROFL: And then also there was you hintin about retribution if you ran outta BL. That'll kinda help motivate a person. :D
 
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