Is NASCAR dying?

TwoZero said:
Context my friend, context - it seems some will take any opportunity to take a swipe at another series.:rolleyes:

You specifically cited an example of how to cut costs, and then followed with your reasoning of why it would be a bad idea:

"...For example, say you save money by dropping the dedicated pit crewmen and have the mechanics to do double-duty. You lose the ability for those crewmen to practice pit stops during the week. They're too busy doing their mechanic duties getting the car ready. If you have them practice stops, they may not have time to get the car up to snuff, or to stay up to date with changes in their specialties.."

And I cited 3 examples of other series that have the mechanics double as the pit stop crew. F1, WEC, and DTM. ( we can add all GT and touring car racing around the world and IMSA)

Thus providing specific examples that the argument made by you that having the mechanics do double-duty would not work was simply ill-informed. Because they get it done in other series in which the cars are just as, if not more complex, in what is needed to prepare them for racing.

That these series cost more to run a car is completely irrelevant. They are racing under different rules-sets - but they still don't have 'specialist' pit crews for a reason - it would drive costs up even more!

And if they can do it, there is no reason Nascar can't implement the same policy and save the teams some coin.

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First, I went after that example because it's the one Cholo brought up in his question.

Second, how are we defining the word 'mechanic'? I'm using in the sense of the guys in the shop who build the cars. Any chance you're using it to describe the travelling engine, tire, shock, and other specialists?

Third, I can't speak to most of those series, but the F1 schedule has 20 races, most of which have at least two weeks between them, not 39 races with only 3 open weekends. There's a lot more time to prep the cars and still fit in time for pit practice.

Fourth, F1 has what, 10 crewmen over the wall, each with exactly one duty, and maybe three stops in a race? The tires and crew are already in place when the driver pulls in, and there's currently no refueling. No coordination between tire carrier and tire changer, no staying out of the gas man or jack man's way, no climbing over the wall, one nut per wheel instead of five, no bringing tires and equipment with you or carrying them away before the car can leave, no sticking wrenches through the window to make adjustments between trips around the car. There's a lot less to practice. Oh, and don't F1 teams travel with a bigger crew than NASCAR? That's more people to draw from, meaning less impact on each one's 'regular' job. WEC? Aren't they like IMSA, where one of the biggest factors affecting pit stop speed is often a driver change? No point in going much faster than that happens. Apples and oranges.

If it could be done without affecting competitive performance, don't you think they'd already be doing it so they could spend the money elsewhere?
 
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Skoalbandit33 said:
Brian France and a couple of members here believe that racing has never been better than today. I am not making this up.
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Skoalbandit33 said:
The funny thing with Brian France and his couple of minions is they claim the racing today is better than ever so lets suspend reality and pretend they are correct. What good is the best racing ever if people are tuning out Nascar in droves?
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First, I don't appreciate your insults. They are inappropriate and completely unnecessary, so please stop them!

Second, your point is a classic non sequitur. If other forms of racing were thriving while people turned away from Nascar, you would have a point. But that is not the case. MotoGP is trending well (in Europe and Asia, not in the US) from a low point just five years ago. But other than that, essentially all forms of racing are suffering revenue shortfalls and audiences that are tiny and/or declining. The distinction between "What's wrong with Nascar" and "What's happening to motorsports across the globe" is crucial to an intelligent discussion.
 
clarkfn2284 said:
I have never really understood the NASCAR fans. They complain a lot. I get being frustrated with the product and the gripes that come with changes, but times evolve and things cannot always stay the same. I am a huge Baseball fan and I believe in the eye for an eye "unwritten rules" of the game, but I have a very real understanding of how antiquated that line of thinking is in today's game. NASCAR fans have resisted modification and change at nearly every turn. For me, the product itself is still very much entertaining, but I find many different things that make it fun for me. It isn't just about the racing. Obviously, you have the personalities, but I think you have to have a real interest in a driver. For me, I was always a Bobby Labonte fan, but when he went to smaller funded teams and was winding down his career I struggled with the sport because there wasn't a driver every week that I needed to pull for. I'm a CA guy who watched Larson come through the ranks, so when he got a shot it made sense to me. It is always nice to see a local kid make it. It makes it a little more real. I watch religiously every week and we get to track a year for a CUP race. Not every race is going to be exhilarating and every fan will watch for different reasons and feels like their style of racing is better then the other. I am a short track guy myself. I just like to see guys beat and bang and get their elbow's up. I like slick, sliding side by side grind it out racing. However, I went to Fontana last year and if we could get all mile and a half tracks or larger to race like that place we would be just fine. I just have never really understood the refusal to evolve.
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Excellent post. I understand and appreciate the widespread sense of nostalgia for a favorite era of the sport, often a simpler time and coincidentally a time when we had our youth intact. What I don't get is the expectation that someone in charge of the sport could have and should have frozen time in that era, like stopping the clocks or something. Complaining that the world is not like it was when we were children or young adults is a futile thing and a waste of time.
 
I don't think it's dying by any stretch. The Bubble burst on its popularity through NASCAR's own horrible decision making, people are more frugal with their economic income, and it's more times than not easier to watch a race from home. Those HDTV's with your own food and bathroom..can't beat it. Saying that while watching the Richmond race this week it was a bit jarring to see, but it doesn't sway my thought on the races themseleves. The most I paid attention was a passing thought while watching this week's race along the lines of "wow that sucks, that place used to be packed." Then back onto focusing on the race...it doesn't bother me to the point I'll be in Daytona in July for the 400 and contemplating spending $165 a ticket at my home Chicagoland Speedway race in September. ( Seriously?! $165 a ticket it's freaking Chicagoland Speedway, A 1.5 mile snoozer, ahhh rough one.) I think it will be the norm to see empty seats until tracks magically and quietly continue to take seats out, like Charlotte did. I don't remember hearing about turns 3 and 4 stands allegedly being removed. It's okay if attendance is like it was in the 80's , strong crowds full of passionate fans the sport will be okay.
 
[/QUOTE]
You can't
TwoZero said:
If F1 and WEC, DTM, can have their mechanics do double duty on pit stops - Nascar should be able to do it as well.

It should be a no-brainer for cost cutting.




100% agreement on this.

Why there is no cost cap on the individual car teams is a mystery. While the top teams spend about 20 million per car - I'd imagine the actual practical cost could be several millions less. A good place to start on discussing a cost cap.


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A cost cap seems like it would be difficult to police/audit. What team expenses do you think would be regulated?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
WEC? Aren't they like IMSA, where one of the biggest factors affecting pit stop speed is often a driver change? No point in going much faster than that happens. Apples and oranges.
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They're both difficult in their own way - in IMSA you're doing tires, refueling, and sometimes driver changes all at the same time. In all honesty it's kinda dangerous in a way as sometimes the drivers are still tightening their belts as they're exiting the pit lane. There was an incident at PLM in 2014 due to this.

You can't refuel and change tires at the same time in the WEC so getting the tire change done as efficiently as possible is really important.
 
LewTheShoe said:
First, I don't appreciate your insults. They are inappropriate and completely unnecessary, so please stop them!

Second, your point is a classic non sequitur. If other forms of racing were thriving while people turned away from Nascar, you would have a point. But that is not the case. MotoGP is trending well (in Europe and Asia, not in the US) from a low point just five years ago. But other than that, essentially all forms of racing are suffering revenue shortfalls and audiences that are tiny and/or declining. The distinction between "What's wrong with Nascar" and "What's happening to motorsports across the globe" is crucial to an intelligent discussion.
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OK Cliffy!
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Pretty sure Charlotte just removed a whole grandstand in turn 3/4
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and they are adding this in turn 4 bad azz if ya ask me

The 42,000 square-foot deck will include food and beverage service, restroom facilities, picnic and high-top table areas and a sprawling concourse for live music, corn hole and other entertainment, the speedway said in a statement Friday.

The new deck will be powered by a 960-panel elevated solar farm. The speedway also said the project is expected to be ready in time for 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, which runs May 19-28.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article145953609.html
 
StandOnIt said:
and they are adding this in turn 4 bad azz if ya ask me

The 42,000 square-foot deck will include food and beverage service, restroom facilities, picnic and high-top table areas and a sprawling concourse for live music, corn hole and other entertainment, the speedway said in a statement Friday.

The new deck will be powered by a 960-panel elevated solar farm. The speedway also said the project is expected to be ready in time for 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, which runs May 19-28.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article145953609.html
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Very good concept at CMS; replace hard to sell seating with a special area with premium pricing. Will need to see how well it sells but a good idea.
 
StandOnIt said:
and they are adding this in turn 4 bad azz if ya ask me

The 42,000 square-foot deck will include food and beverage service, restroom facilities, picnic and high-top table areas and a sprawling concourse for live music, corn hole and other entertainment, the speedway said in a statement Friday.

The new deck will be powered by a 960-panel elevated solar farm. The speedway also said the project is expected to be ready in time for 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, which runs May 19-28.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article145953609.html
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Touched on this before, I think this is a great idea. Hope it takes off, could be a future concept for tracks.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
...

Second, how are we defining the word 'mechanic'? I'm using in the sense of the guys in the shop who build the cars. Any chance you're using it to describe the travelling engine, tire, shock, and other specialists?

Third, I can't speak to most of those series, but the F1 schedule has 20 races, most of which have at least two weeks between them, not 39 races with only 3 open weekends. There's a lot more time to prep the cars and still fit in time for pit practice.
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The F1 Mechanics are the same guys who put the cars together in the shop. & build, repair and maintain them for the race weekend. (Not that there aren't more specialists left back in the shop.)

Charlie Spencer said:
...
Fourth, F1 has what, 10 crewmen over the wall, each with exactly one duty, and maybe three stops in a race? The tires and crew are already in place when the driver pulls in, and there's currently no refueling. No coordination between tire carrier and tire changer, no staying out of the gas man or jack man's way, no climbing over the wall, one nut per wheel instead of five, no bringing tires and equipment with you or carrying them away before the car can leave, no sticking wrenches through the window to make adjustments between trips around the car. There's a lot less to practice. Oh, and don't F1 teams travel with a bigger crew than NASCAR? That's more people to draw from, meaning less impact on each one's 'regular' job. WEC? Aren't they like IMSA, where one of the biggest factors affecting pit stop speed is often a driver change? No point in going much faster than that happens. Apples and oranges.
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The part in italics is what I find completely ridiculous in Indycar and Nascar.. Why??? Just put the airgun boom out there let the pit crew get in position and let the car roll in and out. Why make it slower than it has to be. ( Even then there is still a huge amount of teamwork in an F1 pit-stop, you don't do a 2 second stop without tons of practice and coordination. )


Charlie Spencer said:
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If it could be done without affecting competitive performance, don't you think they'd already be doing it so they could spend the money elsewhere?
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The Nascar teams did it precisely because it gave a competitive edge over the teams who would not. But now days everyone does it. So just ban the pit specialists and it will be be the same for everybody.

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NASACAR may or may not be dying but the NBA has had a pretty mediocre regular season that had a bunch of teams resting players and a playoffs that hasn't had a ton of exciting moments yet.

The stages are not a bad idea in the grand scheme of things as long as no phantom cautions are thrown, I think the winner of the race should get 50 points so it's almost guaranteed they will score the most points.

But some of these races need shortened to 400 miles regardless of stage racing.
 
StandOnIt said:
and they are adding this in turn 4 bad azz if ya ask me

The 42,000 square-foot deck will include food and beverage service, restroom facilities, picnic and high-top table areas and a sprawling concourse for live music, corn hole and other entertainment, the speedway said in a statement Friday.

The new deck will be powered by a 960-panel elevated solar farm. The speedway also said the project is expected to be ready in time for 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, which runs May 19-28.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article145953609.html
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I notice the article doesn't mention how many people will be served by this deck. I suspect it's far, FAR fewer than the number seated in grandstand it replaces.
 
TwoZero said:
... The part in italics is what I find completely ridiculous in Indycar and Nascar.. Why??? Just put the airgun boom out there let the pit crew get in position and let the car roll in and out. Why make it slower than it has to be. ( Even then there is still a huge amount of teamwork in an F1 pit-stop, you don't do a 2 second stop without tons of practice and coordination. ) ... The Nascar teams did it precisely because it gave a competitive edge over the teams who would not. But now days everyone does it. So just ban the pit specialists and it will be be the same for everybody..
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Why? You could ask that question about any number of sports rules. That's just the way those series operate. MIght as well ask why F1 teams don't use pit stop specialists; I suspect they would if they thought there was an advantage.

Cholo's original comment suggested the teams voluntarily adopt using mechanics as pit crew as cost savings measures. That's a different critter from the sanctioning body mandating it in the rules. Yes, it would theoretically be the same for everyone, but I don't see how it could be enforced. Will NASCAR send officials to each team at random to see if Sunday's front tire carrier is on his back under the car on Wednesday? Will the gas man have to pass a randomly scheduled shock set-up exam along with his urine test? In reality, what would be the same for everyone would be the multitude of ways they found around the rule.

As to spending caps, there's a axiom in the military: Don't give an order you know will not be obeyed. A spending cap would be unenforceable.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I notice the article doesn't mention how many people will be served by this deck. I suspect it's far, FAR fewer than the number seated in grandstand it replaces.
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For sure as "enhancing the fan experience" just means "what can we do with all the seats that formerly sold out" but if it helps get young people to the track it will make the best of a bad situation. I may go to Charlotte so I can play some corn hole and hopscotch for the edgy experience if nothing else.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
For sure as "enhancing the fan experience" just means "what can we do with all the seats that formerly sold out" but if it helps get young people to the track it will make the best of a bad situation. I may go to Charlotte so I can play some corn hole and hopscotch for the edgy experience if nothing else.
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As much as Charlotte charges for everything,I'll have to pass.
 
“Fans want to feel that sense of community. They want the flexibility to leave their seats to interact with other fans and have fun, but they still want to stay on top of the action,” Smith said.

Heh, heh, heh…… Oh my….

Ya wanna get up ‘n go back two rows to slap the poo-pay out of the drunk that keeps standin’ up ‘n splashin’ beer on the folks in front.
 
R Clarence said:
“Fans want to feel that sense of community. They want the flexibility to leave their seats to interact with other fans and have fun, but they still want to stay on top of the action,” Smith said.

Heh, heh, heh…… Oh my….

Ya wanna get up ‘n go back two rows to slap the poo-pay out of the drunk that keeps standin’ up ‘n splashin’ beer on the folks in front.
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That's the downside. The upside is being two rows up from that same drunk and bouncing chicken bones off his noggin, then turning around and pretending to see where they came from. THAT IS WHAT KEEPS THIS SPORT ALIVE AND WHY IT WILL NEVER DIE!
:XXROFL:
 
Has anyone heard anything about Goodyear and Nascar coming to an agreement for next year?Maybe their planning on running them on the rims,no one can complain about tires.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Is playing hopscotch the hot new tailgating activity? That must be a hoot to watch the drunks play.

I am SO out of touch.
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I went on injured reserve after playing hopscotch as I turned my ankle something fierce. Sorry about the stick and ball reference.
 
R Clarence said:
“Fans want to feel that sense of community. They want the flexibility to leave their seats to interact with other fans and have fun, but they still want to stay on top of the action,” Smith said.

Heh, heh, heh…… Oh my….

Ya wanna get up ‘n go back two rows to slap the poo-pay out of the drunk that keeps standin’ up ‘n splashin’ beer on the folks in front.
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Your opinion about all this enhancing is important to me. Can you offer some words about corn hole being available?
 
Ok let me give my opinion, I'm new to the sport this is my second year watching... let me start off by saying I always loved speed and cars.. I just couldn't ever see myself watching cars go around in a circle! I remember growing up hating the fact that they showed NASCAR on ESPN and just couldn't understand it.. I always thought it's only driving a car anybody that could drive a car could do what there doing in a race car.. anyways I moved to Charlotte like 6 years ago and would ride by the speedway every now and then and thought it looked amazing because it was HUGE! So one day something just made me want an old school racing jacket lol.. so I started to do my research at work and found some jackets I like.. so I was like you know what instead of just getting a jacket give the sport a chance since u love fast cars , SO I DID!! And boy was that the best decision I made in my LIFE!! This is coming from an African American that grew up on basketball and wasn't raised watching NASCAR! The sport is just awesome!! Everything to it.. how much it takes to wheel one of those cars the patience the focus.. what it takes to put it together.. the strategy.. sitting in those cars for hours doing 200 when it's 120 degrees in the car ... it's just amazing to me everything that goes into ur leading up to that Sunday! Not to mention you can go to the shops watch them build meet the drivers you feel apart of the team your going for ... I buy so much stuff they call me when new stuff come in and I just live mins away from the shop! You can watch the trucks leave with the cars to head out to tracks it's just amazing !! No other sport where u can be on the surface where the activity is about to take place before it does.. I went to DAYTONA this year got pit passes and almost passed out when I got in the infield and just looked around it was beautiful Plus I got to sign the track it was just amazing experience I'll never forget. These guys put there lives on the line every Sunday at those speeds man it's just something I think everyone should experience.. NOW is NASCAR DYING?! I have been to a lot of races already and when I go it's a tone of people there.. I think what's hurting the sport the most IS US!! All the complaining everyday !! I never seen a sport where fans complain so much! LISTEN PEOPLE ITS 2017!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! PRICES HAVE GONE UP!!! GET OVER IT!!! It's not going back to 1950 or whateva it's JUST NOT!!! The racing this year have been great but people want the old days back so much you will just say you hate it when actually it's been good racing !! Complaining about cable complaining about tickets!! Come on it's 2017 everything went up in prices.. your killing a great sport with all the complaining!! Complaining about toyato being in cup and being mad because it's not American come on man really?!! All of this complaining it's the sport worst enemy!!
 
Thegeneral23 said:
Ok let me give my opinion, I'm new to the sport this is my second year watching... let me start off by saying I always loved speed and cars.. I just couldn't ever see myself watching cars go around in a circle! I remember growing up hating the fact that they showed NASCAR on ESPN and just couldn't understand it.. I always thought it's only driving a car anybody that could drive a car could do what there doing in a race car.. anyways I moved to Charlotte like 6 years ago and would ride by the speedway every now and then and thought it looked amazing because it was HUGE! So one day something just made me want an old school racing jacket lol.. so I started to do my research at work and found some jackets I like.. so I was like you know what instead of just getting a jacket give the sport a chance since u love fast cars , SO I DID!! And boy was that the best decision I made in my LIFE!! This is coming from an African American that grew up on basketball and wasn't raised watching NASCAR! The sport is just awesome!! Everything to it.. how much it takes to wheel one of those cars the patience the focus.. what it takes to put it together.. the strategy.. sitting in those cars for hours doing 200 when it's 120 degrees in the car ... it's just amazing to me everything that goes into ur leading up to that Sunday! Not to mention you can go to the shops watch them build meet the drivers you feel apart of the team your going for ... I buy so much stuff they call me when new stuff come in and I just live mins away from the shop! You can watch the trucks leave with the cars to head out to tracks it's just amazing !! No other sport where u can be on the surface where the activity is about to take place before it does.. I went to DAYTONA this year got pit passes and almost passed out when I got in the infield and just looked around it was beautiful Plus I got to sign the track it was just amazing experience I'll never forget. These guys put there lives on the line every Sunday at those speeds man it's just something I think everyone should experience.. NOW is NASCAR DYING?! I have been to a lot of races already and when I go it's a tone of people there.. I think what's hurting the sport the most IS US!! All the complaining everyday !! I never seen a sport where fans complain so much! LISTEN PEOPLE ITS 2017!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! PRICES HAVE GONE UP!!! GET OVER IT!!! It's not going back to 1950 or whateva it's JUST NOT!!! The racing this year have been great but people want the old days back so much you will just say you hate it when actually it's been good racing !! Complaining about cable complaining about tickets!! Come on it's 2017 everything went up in prices.. your killing a great sport with all the complaining!! Complaining about toyato being in cup and being mad because it's not American come on man really?!! All of this complaining it's the sport worst enemy!!
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Okay, here's a paper bag. Hold it over your mouth and just breathe in and out slowly... :D

Good stuff.
 
FLRacingFan said:
You can't

A cost cap seems like it would be difficult to police/audit. What team expenses do you think would be regulated?
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I don't think it's impossible. Again, F1 is trying to implement one and we should all pay close attention to how that goes. If that league can do it with all their insane politics then NASCAR can no problem. Step one would be to have all contracts filed with the league office and published, the transparency alone will help even things out a little. Drivers, most CC's, sponsors, and from what I've seen pit crew members on some teams all work on a contract basis. That makes it much easier to place a salary/spending cap for those aspects. Remember, in many cases it was the players unions which pushed leagues to adopt salary caps, not the owners. Now the shop workers, the R&D centers, the manufacturer programs, engine builders... that's where we need to take a cue from F1.
 
Acs said:
I don't think it's impossible. Again, F1 is trying to implement one and we should all pay close attention to how that goes. If that league can do it with all their insane politics then NASCAR can no problem. Step one would be to have all contracts filed with the league office and published, the transparency alone will help even things out a little. Drivers, most CC's, sponsors, and from what I've seen pit crew members on some teams all work on a contract basis. That makes it much easier to place a salary/spending cap for those aspects. Remember, in many cases it was the players unions which pushed leagues to adopt salary caps, not the owners. Now the shop workers, the R&D centers, the manufacturer programs, engine builders... that's where we need to take a cue from F1.
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Other sports leagues that have caps have them only on player salary. Those contracts are easy to see and enforce. Those leagues don't cap spending on any other aspect of team expenses. I don't see how NASCAR could control spending on R&D, engine and chassis testing, etc. If I share my test results with satellite teams, can I divide the expense six ways?
 
Yet another article reviewing the business of Nascar. It is a good review, perhaps the best of the week, but I'll spare you from starting another redundant thread...

(from SBNation)
NASCAR’s troubles aren’t over yet, but there is finally reason for optimism

The optimism is not unfounded, but Monster Energy is the key.

Along with the enhanced racing brought about by the three-stage format and updated aero package, NASCAR has an impressive crop of young drivers that it can build around for years to come. Many times over, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have demonstrated they are outwardly talented, much in the fashion Stewart and Gordon did before them.

Within the industry the hope is Monster Energy, the new entitlement Cup Series sponsor, will be the bridge that brings NASCAR to a fresh, younger audience that may not have familiarity with stock car racing. The energy drink company is expected to be the conduit that effectively markets the 24-year-old Larson and the 21-year-old Elliott into the crossover stars that NASCAR is lacking, following the departures of Gordon, Edwards, Stewart, and soon, Earnhardt.

Being NASCAR’s biggest partner is a role Monster has grown increasingly comfortable with, after an initial ramp-up period brought about by the deal between the two parties not being finalized until December. Monster’s fan zone display at various tracks has included an appearance by Rob Gronkowski at the season-opening Daytona 500, a stunt motorcycle shows, MMA fights at the upcoming All-Star Race....
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Other sports leagues that have caps have them only on player salary. Those contracts are easy to see and enforce. Those leagues don't cap spending on any other aspect of team expenses. I don't see how NASCAR could control spending on R&D, engine and chassis testing, etc. If I share my test results with satellite teams, can I divide the expense six ways?
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Like I said, for those non-contract expenses we should be closely watching what goes on with Ross Brawn and Formula 1 as they are trying to control these exact things.

Also, controlling costs isn't going to make the sport explode in popularity again, it's necessary just to survive. NASCAR can either get ahead of things or sit on their thumbs until the TV money runs out all at once.
 
Thegeneral23 said:
Ok let me give my opinion, I'm new to the sport this is my second year watching... let me start off by saying I always loved speed and cars.. I just couldn't ever see myself watching cars go around in a circle! I remember growing up hating the fact that they showed NASCAR on ESPN and just couldn't understand it.. I always thought it's only driving a car anybody that could drive a car could do what there doing in a race car.. anyways I moved to Charlotte like 6 years ago and would ride by the speedway every now and then and thought it looked amazing because it was HUGE! So one day something just made me want an old school racing jacket lol.. so I started to do my research at work and found some jackets I like.. so I was like you know what instead of just getting a jacket give the sport a chance since u love fast cars , SO I DID!! And boy was that the best decision I made in my LIFE!! This is coming from an African American that grew up on basketball and wasn't raised watching NASCAR! The sport is just awesome!! Everything to it.. how much it takes to wheel one of those cars the patience the focus.. what it takes to put it together.. the strategy.. sitting in those cars for hours doing 200 when it's 120 degrees in the car ... it's just amazing to me everything that goes into ur leading up to that Sunday! Not to mention you can go to the shops watch them build meet the drivers you feel apart of the team your going for ... I buy so much stuff they call me when new stuff come in and I just live mins away from the shop! You can watch the trucks leave with the cars to head out to tracks it's just amazing !! No other sport where u can be on the surface where the activity is about to take place before it does.. I went to DAYTONA this year got pit passes and almost passed out when I got in the infield and just looked around it was beautiful Plus I got to sign the track it was just amazing experience I'll never forget. These guys put there lives on the line every Sunday at those speeds man it's just something I think everyone should experience.. NOW is NASCAR DYING?! I have been to a lot of races already and when I go it's a tone of people there.. I think what's hurting the sport the most IS US!! All the complaining everyday !! I never seen a sport where fans complain so much! LISTEN PEOPLE ITS 2017!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!! PRICES HAVE GONE UP!!! GET OVER IT!!! It's not going back to 1950 or whateva it's JUST NOT!!! The racing this year have been great but people want the old days back so much you will just say you hate it when actually it's been good racing !! Complaining about cable complaining about tickets!! Come on it's 2017 everything went up in prices.. your killing a great sport with all the complaining!! Complaining about toyato being in cup and being mad because it's not American come on man really?!! All of this complaining it's the sport worst enemy!!
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Great stuff and I hope you have leveraged your love of Nascar by influencing others as that is needed in the worst way.

There are a few things I take issue with and the first is about complaining. Whatever people feel on this forum won't impact Nascar's prospects positively or negatively. It is great that you have come into Nascar at this time and are enjoying it but for many longtime fans it is not as satisfying and that can be proven by the declining interest. Your home track used to seat 156K and dropped its seating capacity to 89K and still can't get anywhere near close to a full house in what should be the epicenter of Nascar interest.

If you live in the Charlotte area and can buy a ticket and go to the track on the day of the race it is easy peasy and not a big layout of cash. If someone lives a day's drive from the track there are a lot more expenses involved such as food, lodging and gasoline so be careful about criticizing those that cite cost as an impediment to attending a race.
 
LewTheShoe said:
Yet another article reviewing the business of Nascar. It is a good review, perhaps the best of the week, but I'll spare you from starting another redundant thread...

(from SBNation)
NASCAR’s troubles aren’t over yet, but there is finally reason for optimism

The optimism is not unfounded, but Monster Energy is the key.

Along with the enhanced racing brought about by the three-stage format and updated aero package, NASCAR has an impressive crop of young drivers that it can build around for years to come. Many times over, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have demonstrated they are outwardly talented, much in the fashion Stewart and Gordon did before them.

Within the industry the hope is Monster Energy, the new entitlement Cup Series sponsor, will be the bridge that brings NASCAR to a fresh, younger audience that may not have familiarity with stock car racing. The energy drink company is expected to be the conduit that effectively markets the 24-year-old Larson and the 21-year-old Elliott into the crossover stars that NASCAR is lacking, following the departures of Gordon, Edwards, Stewart, and soon, Earnhardt.

Being NASCAR’s biggest partner is a role Monster has grown increasingly comfortable with, after an initial ramp-up period brought about by the deal between the two parties not being finalized until December. Monster’s fan zone display at various tracks has included an appearance by Rob Gronkowski at the season-opening Daytona 500, a stunt motorcycle shows, MMA fights at the upcoming All-Star Race....
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From the last paragraph of that article:

The harsh reality, however, is Larson and Elliott are still not close to being the next mainstream breakout stars that NASCAR desperately needs. They may each be brilliant behind the wheel, but they have a long way to go in the charisma department that compels the casual observer to watch them race on Sundays. And if neither can assume that mantle, then the television ratings and attendance figures seen at Richmond will become the norm. A standard no one within the industry is prepared to deal with.
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That right there can't be emphasized enough. I see so many on here whistling past the grave not giving a crap about NASCAR's decline, because "if it goes back to how it was in the 80's it will be fine". No, it won't. There is no going back. There is no way this sport survives on 80's level crowds and 80's level viewership and 80's level money, because this isn't the 80's. If the decline continues, NASCAR will die. Once the shareholders of ISC and SMI get fed up and the current management is replaced with outsiders even more beholden to the $$, a sport limping around like indycar stands no chance in hell. Public companies...that is the sword of Damocles hanging over this whole sport as it's currently structured, and if you read the latest earnings calls you can already see the string start to fray.
 
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