NASCAR exploring weeknight races

I support weekday races so drivers can have more family time and crews can have more R AND R
 
MRM said:
The original thought behind weeknight races was to be able to add a few more tracks to the schedule. I didn't read the linked article, I would think they'd be looking at a different time to race for less competition.

I know the track owners look more at the TV money they get more than what they bring in from ticket sales. Because of that, I can see them thinking about getting more eyeballs to tune in. But if they think their attendance is bad now, try running a Wednesday night race.
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I understand your point about the TV money, but if it is not helping the local economy, then the track will lose the local support to some extent. In my opinion you can't just simply look at what brings in the biggest buck this year to the track, but what is best for the long haul.
 
dave corthell said:
I understand your point about the TV money, but if it is not helping the local economy, then the track will lose the local support to some extent. In my opinion you can't just simply look at what brings in the biggest buck this year to the track, but what is best for the long haul.
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It's a valid point, but for better or worse, the sport as we now know it is entirely dependent on the TV money. That dwarfs all other revenue. As others have pointed out, the networks paying it are going to have more leverage and input than anyone.
 
No doubt Miller ‘n company think road racing is “pretty exciting.”

Heck, get Hoots to punch the button for a loose tire on pit road ‘n they can run a day or two’s worth of commercials before the next American Ethanol Green Flag.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Heck, some rain delayed races are basically fanless anyway.

I dunno if you'd get a track to do that intentionally. I don't know what percentage of their income is from TV revenue vs. butts in the seats.

Oh, and IRP is still running wide open as Lucas Oil Raceway Park. :) http://www.lucasoilraceway.com/
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It isn't just rain delayed races as all one needs to do is tune into a race from Pocono, MIS, Richmond, Dover, Loudon and other tracks to see thousands of fans dressed up as empty seats. When you see an overhead or other shot that focuses on the stands it can be jaw dropping to see how many seats are unsold.
 
I would LOVE weeknight races, but the only obstacle to those being successful is the threat of rain. Imagine having a Monday Night Showdown at Bristol, Martinsville, or Darlington being broadcast on a national network. There is no way casual fans could turn away from that. I would even be ok with the Daytona 500 being run on a Monday night...the first time they did that a few years ago was pretty successful even on very short notice.

If the NFL does go ahead with doing away with Thursday Night Football, NASCAR could easily pick up that slot for a few races every year. Every NASCAR fan I know (myself included) who also watches the NFL always puts the NFL first. Sunday races during NFL season are more of a burden than anything else. Thursday night would be perfect because it would not interfere with NFL, NCAAF, or HS football.

Or NASCAR could choose to run all night races on Monday or Thursday, and all day races on Saturday or Sunday. Something needs to be done to prevent competition with football at any level.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The NFL seems to have over expanded. This week they were on Sunday, Sunday night, Monday night, tomorrow night and finally on this Saturday night. They've put games on early in the am across the pond and later games south of the boarder. I love the NFL but not every day.
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The NFL used to be smart as they realized it was best to leave the fans wanting more but now some weeks you can watch 6-7 complete games which is overkill even for the mighty NFL.

Nascar has a glut of product and is operating on a model that worked when they were a popular and growing series but obviously that ship sailed long ago. There is nothing exclusive about Nascar as you can decide to go to a race the morning it is being held and buy a ticket and I don't think there are any weeks where cup or one of the junior series isn't running for 9 months of the year. Nascar needs to learn less is more.
 
MRM said:
The original thought behind weeknight races was to be able to add a few more tracks to the schedule. I didn't read the linked article, I would think they'd be looking at a different time to race for less competition.

I know the track owners look more at the TV money they get more than what they bring in from ticket sales. Because of that, I can see them thinking about getting more eyeballs to tune in. But if they think their attendance is bad now, try running a Wednesday night race.
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Adding additional product to the Nascar schedule would not be a good idea as the races they broadcast now lose fans every year.
 
RacerrecaR said:
I would LOVE weeknight races, but the only obstacle to those being successful is the threat of rain. Imagine having a Monday Night Showdown at Bristol, Martinsville, or Darlington being broadcast on a national network. There is no way casual fans could turn away from that. I would even be ok with the Daytona 500 being run on a Monday night...the first time they did that a few years ago was pretty successful even on very short notice.

If the NFL does go ahead with doing away with Thursday Night Football, NASCAR could easily pick up that slot for a few races every year. Every NASCAR fan I know (myself included) who also watches the NFL always puts the NFL first. Sunday races during NFL season are more of a burden than anything else. Thursday night would be perfect because it would not interfere with NFL, NCAAF, or HS football.

Or NASCAR could choose to run all night races on Monday or Thursday, and all day races on Saturday or Sunday. Something needs to be done to prevent competition with football at any level.
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In my house the NFL and the NHL trump all else and if I had to choose between the great British programming on Netflix or Nascar I would stick with the Brits. I like Nascar and really enjoy some of the races but the quality of the series is spotty in my eyes so it is hard to commit to if I had to choose it or something else.
 
I don't mind when Nascar runs it races as I DVR them and either watch them the day they are run or the next day. For me Nascar is unwatchable live as there as there is so much dead time between talking heads, commercials, cautions, suspect (boring coverage) and boring parts like the Dale Jr report from whatever company sponsors it. I watch from the drop of the green to the checkers and normally just see green flag racing which works out well for me.

I can't see many people going to the track mid-week given the distances many travel.
 
aunty dive said:
This issue was raised by NBC.

They probably have some data providing insight into whether or not this is a working idea.
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I am happy you cleared that up, here I was thinking it was CBS that had some date providing that insight..................:lol2::lol2::lol2:

( please note, the above reply was done so in a jokinly manner, no mean spiritedness intended)
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The NFL seems to have over expanded. This week they were on Sunday, Sunday night, Monday night, tomorrow night and finally on this Saturday night. They've put games on early in the am across the pond and later games south of the boarder. I love the NFL but not every day.
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The NFL's oversaturation is out of control. MNF is routinely a dud. They definitely have things to resolve on the TV front.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Not to mention eliminating those few kids who parents won't let they stay up on school nights.
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I agree. Also I am not sure what attendance there going to have. When I was younger my parents would take me on Saturday to the closest track which is over 2 and half hours from here. We would get a hotel near the track and drive home Sunday after the race. I don't see anyway my parents would have done the same if the race was on say a Wednesday and school lets out at 3. One thing I loved about racing more than other sports was it felt like more of an experience to be there. Going to MLB, NFL and NBA games I felt pride in my team but there is a certain experience I felt attending Nascar as well as Indycar races. Part of that experience was going to the track early, going to the concession stands and just walking around taking in the atmosphere. Showing up to the event as it starts and then being forced to go home because I might have work the next morning is not an experience, it turns into more of an ordeal to drive a total of 5 hours both ways for a race that will take only about 4 hours to run.
 
FLRacingFan said:
The NFL's oversaturation is out of control. MNF is routinely a dud. They definitely have things to resolve on the TV front.
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For the most part, the match-ups have been horrible as well. That can't help. I miss the days, er nights when Monday Night Football was King.

As far as the original topic goes..... I really don't understand everyone's issue with running a race or two on a weeknight. There's hardly anyone on this board that even seems to go to these races. A race or two on a weeknight would have little impact on the diehard NASCAR television fan. The whole work excuse is mostly BS. Pull up you panties and watch a race till 11pm. Get a few hours sleep and get up and go to work. We've all done it. If that time period falls between your work hours, DVR it and watch it later.

Attending a weeknight race..... If they threw one or both of those Martinsville races on a ???day night, I'd be there in a heartbeat and I'd stay for the week. Sure, the stands won't be full. How's that any different than Saturday/Sunday? Besides, it'll give the Sunday seat watching contingent something more to complain about.

Anyone got an overreaction gif? I was looking for a good one for this thread. Best I could do on short notice.....

HdLfrYAlIaFZhHc-uRiJlEPs4mVKMpHq1tFOY4feETA.gif
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
The NFL used to be smart as they realized it was best to leave the fans wanting more but now some weeks you can watch 6-7 complete games which is overkill even for the mighty NFL.

Nascar has a glut of product and is operating on a model that worked when they were a popular and growing series but obviously that ship sailed long ago. There is nothing exclusive about Nascar as you can decide to go to a race the morning it is being held and buy a ticket and I don't think there are any weeks where cup or one of the junior series isn't running for 9 months of the year. Nascar needs to learn less is more.
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True enough. The shorter season sure works out well for the NFL. Most every sports fan is jonesing for the NFL season well in advance of its start.

Take the NASCAR schedule down to one race at each of the current venues would be a great move IMO. It'll never happen but it would probably be one of the best moves they could make.
 
FLRacingFan said:
The NFL's oversaturation is out of control. MNF is routinely a dud. They definitely have things to resolve on the TV front.
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It looks like the NFL is doing away with the early morning London games, and are also considering doing away with or significantly cutting back Thursday Night games. Both good moves. The only Thursday games should be the Thanksgiving games and the Super Bowl champs on opening weekend IMO.
 
FLRacingFan said:
The NFL's oversaturation is out of control. MNF is routinely a dud. They definitely have things to resolve on the TV front.
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Agreed as the prime time match ups should involve prime teams but often times that is not the case. As much as I love pigskin I am not tuning in to see a game against the Falcons and Saints or the Rams and the Bucs. One NBC started broadcasting on Sunday night the MNF franchise became watered down with many poor to mediocre match ups. When you add in the bye week and have games on Thursday, Sunday @ 9:00, 1:00, 4:00, 8:20 and then Monday night it is stretching the ability to provide good games to thin.
 
wilson89 said:
I agree. Also I am not sure what attendance there going to have. When I was younger my parents would take me on Saturday to the closest track which is over 2 and half hours from here. We would get a hotel near the track and drive home Sunday after the race. I don't see anyway my parents would have done the same if the race was on say a Wednesday and school lets out at 3. One thing I loved about racing more than other sports was it felt like more of an experience to be there. Going to MLB, NFL and NBA games I felt pride in my team but there is a certain experience I felt attending Nascar as well as Indycar races. Part of that experience was going to the track early, going to the concession stands and just walking around taking in the atmosphere. Showing up to the event as it starts and then being forced to go home because I might have work the next morning is not an experience, it turns into more of an ordeal to drive a total of 5 hours both ways for a race that will take only about 4 hours to run.
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I think it depends on the type of experience you are looking for as tailgating has always been a staple of football that has caught on in other sports. For me the only experience I am looking for is to get to the event as late as possible, watch the event and then get out immediately. I was like that as a kid too and don't know if I have ADD or just become bored easily but I have a very low threshold for what I consider to be dead time. I want to be clear that I am not calling what other people enjoy doing as dead time as that is not how I feel at all.
 
ToyYoda said:
It looks like the NFL is doing away with the early morning London games, and are also considering doing away with or significantly cutting back Thursday Night games. Both good moves. The only Thursday games should be the Thanksgiving games and the Super Bowl champs on opening weekend IMO.
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I rarely watch MNF any longer due to the watered down match ups and I also really miss Mike Tirico as I think he is by far and away the best play by play man today. MNF used to be a rip roaring event with Dandy, Howard and Frank as Dandy Don was half in the bag in the bag by the third quarter and Howard was like an original troll who existed only to annoy people. Howard never bothered me as I loved his way with words and his unintentional comical insights. I would like to see MNF restored to its former glory or cancelled and Thursday night games become a thing of the past.

I think midweek races would be OK but Nascar should fix the races it presently runs first before doing anything else. While Nascar gets killed by football there is nothing to say that it would not get killed by popular dramas and comedies either during the week either.
 
I miss Frank, Howard, and Dandy Don too. Don knew all of Howard's buttons and pushed them regularly while Frank tried to call a football game. People who didn't give a hoot about football watched MNF to hear one of television's great comedy duos.

And we all knew when to turn the set off:

 
Charlie Spencer said:
I miss Frank, Howard, and Dandy Don too. Don knew all of Howard's buttons and pushed them regularly while Frank tried to call a football game. People who didn't give a hoot about football watched MNF to hear one of television's great comedy duos.

And we all knew when to turn the set off:

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Those were good times never to return.
 
Bucky Badger said:
Who the heck is going to theses week night races? Or do they not care about assses in the seats?
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You could look at this several ways but I see this as 1) and opportunity for those small time tracks that are not close to any major city to have a Thursday Night and Saturday Night weekend.
2) You could put it next to a major city, i.e. Phoenix and have people spend their vacation in the city for a few days without running events all weekend long, i.e. Thursday night race, nothing friday, saturday qual, practice, etc, saturday night race, everyone goes home sunday. Obviously Friday would be the day fans could explore the city and NASCAR/Monster could do some promotions in the city to try to gain more fans for Saturday night.

It's certainly not appropriate for every track or every week, but just like a dirt race, it would be a good change of pace a few weeks a year.
 
The NFL has many issues and I think the oversaturation thing is overblown. When the competition was good people couldn't get enough of it.
The competition is not very good right now, and I think part of it has to deal with the offensive lines can't protect the QB for more than 3.5 seconds basically. Playing QB has just become so difficult in this league that it is nearly impossible to throw the ball down field because it takes more than 3 seconds for the WRs to actually get down field.
Also, part of the problem, which NASCAR has a big issue with also, is too many damn commercials! On top of that there is a flag on every play, and even with instant replay the refs often get the call wrong. NASCAR also has too many flags thrown! Are we starting to see the similarities yet?
The NFL refs have too many rules to watch for and their job is nearly impossible and ultimately a game is won or lost on a single play.

The oversaturation part doesn't help but it isn't hurting the league as much as people think. The whole Kap thing compounded with not allowing players to honor the Dallas Police, really ticked people off too and a ton of fans are still protesting by not watching.
 
LouieLouie said:
You could look at this several ways but I see this as 1) and opportunity for those small time tracks that are not close to any major city to have a Thursday Night and Saturday Night weekend.
2) You could put it next to a major city, i.e. Phoenix and have people spend their vacation in the city for a few days without running events all weekend long, i.e. Thursday night race, nothing friday, saturday qual, practice, etc, saturday night race, everyone goes home sunday. Obviously Friday would be the day fans could explore the city and NASCAR/Monster could do some promotions in the city to try to gain more fans for Saturday night.

It's certainly not appropriate for every track or every week, but just like a dirt race, it would be a good change of pace a few weeks a year.
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Yeah, teams would love paying expenses for an extra day of doing nothing.
 
I don't see people taking time off work to attend races during the week. Myself, I have shows to watch every night of the week except Saturday night. I don't watch other sports so maybe that's why. :idunno: Right now, Nascar would have to do something to make the racing worth watching instead of my favorite shows. I would probably put it on PIP.
 
Pat said:
I don't see people taking time off work to attend races during the week. Myself, I have shows to watch every night of the week except Saturday night. I don't watch other sports so maybe that's why. :idunno: Right now, Nascar would have to do something to make the racing worth watching instead of my favorite shows. I would probably put it on PIP.
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Then there are fans like myself that would make a weeks RV trip out of it. Just like I've done @ Eldora, multiple times.

I have very little interest on television other than sports so there's not a sitcom that could keep me from watching a race.
 
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