jmo:
my first trip to michigan was in '85. and as the yuppies followed jeff gordon into nascar, every track that had a race started adding seats. then dale sr. dies, jeff's domination stops, and the "fad following fans" disappear, along with the "old timers".
my opinion: nascar lost sight of what made it popular.
the reason the new fans jumped in was kinda like why the same bunch was suddenly buying harleys. the new fan base was built on the renegade image, sold to prosperous individuals that were financially capable of purchasing what they had nothing but disdain for in high school.
breakfast club.
and the old timers?
watched nascar sell out to big $$$ television and corporate sponsors. and the newbie fans. suddenly were priced out of tickets, hotels, and the public access of the stars. so they went back to the local track where the real action still reamains.
the result:
nascar sells out to the big $$$ corporate sponsors that require politically correct spokespersons (previously called "drivers"). suddenly the renegade image that had been a huge selling point is gone.
and what is left? a blandness that doesn't appeal to old school OR new school.
jimmie johnson.
his stats could be used to argue that he is the best of all time. but he evokes zero emotion in race fans.
so nascar changes the rules to allow the racers to police themselves. to bring back the "tough image".
so if you want the seats full, somebody better punt jimmie, and soon.
best story line: make it the #24.
