The element of success I speak of is fan value, or the importance of the fan’s role in “my” NASCAR. Yes, I take ownership. I, like my father, and millions of other passionate fans helped create this amazingly successful sport. Although I’ve never had my driver’s number shaved from the hair on my back or head, nor had his likeness tattooed on my body, I have bought his memorabilia, drank the beer and consumed other products to support his sponsors…just like my father and millions of other passionate fans have done for many years.

When I observe those at the top of my NASCAR speak of its future and address concerns of its health, too many times has mention of me (the passionate and loyal fan) been left out. I’ve seen rules implemented purely for the sake of the sponsors without regard to my concerns that those rules might take away from what I like. I see those drivers who rise to the top spend less and less time with me. Yes. I know there are lots of sponsor matters, appearances, and other important responsibilities that take up their time these days. I could rest right here, but I’ll provide some more specific examples.

I have tremendous respect for the task in front of NASCAR’s top echelon. To keep the sport growing and prospering as it did under the guidance of Bill France SR and Bill France JR for all those decades before is a tall order. Those two gentlemen I mentioned were among the greatest promoters in history. Like most successful promoters, they understood me and overall fan value and the importance of my role in their success.

I have heard Brian France speak (in one of his “state-of-the-sport addresses” on sirius radio) of the future of the sport and declare that NASCAR is dedicated to giving the teams and the sponsors everything they need and want. He failed to mention me…and yes, I was hurt that he left me (the lowly fan) out.

After the incident at Texas Motor Speedway involving Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday, I observed some things that I think are very significant relative to this subject. We’ve all recognized the polarizing effects of Kyle Busch on the fans. He is one of those rare talented and special individuals who has the ability to split fandom down the middle…you either love him or hate him.

I believe, in Kyle’s case, an incident like that does not gain him any fans. Fans like me, generally want to be proud of their driver’s actions on the track. Granted there were surely those KB fans that were proud he retaliated after the brush with Hornaday. But I doubt there many who decided to follow him because of that incident. And most assuredly he has lost some very loyal fans because of his actions.

In his (KB’s) public apologies he mentioned the sponsors, his team and his peers and praised Joe Gibbs for his support. He said he had let those folks down. Joe Gibbs similarly mentioned the sponsor’s displeasure in an apologetic manner. Neither of these gentlemen thought to mention me and how I may have been affected by this. I was disappointed that I was left out. I’m feeling less important these days.

I have attended many events where drivers appear to meet the fans and sign autographs like the awesome Stocks for Tots event that was started by Don Miller and Rusty Wallace in Mooresville, NC. It seems like each year there are fewer and fewer top level drivers who have the time for these types of appearances. I have noticed that you have less time for me and/or that I have become less important to some of you as you become more successful.

As I see my importance to those in NASCAR waning, I become less and less interested. I think that is human nature. As I write this, I’m trying to imagine a sport without fans. I can’t.

Earlier in this writing, I mentioned my father. I looked up to my father and followed many of his passions including racing. My son followed some of my passions including racing. Yes, I do find my passion for the sport waning (not to be repetitive) as I become less important to the sport. I’ve notice my son’s passion fading as well and wonder how this will affect his son.

Do you see my point? The generational effect of a sport that has taken its collective eyes off the ball could be catastrophic. Am I to blame? Did my passion and loyalty (along with millions of others) have a hand in this? I suppose to an extent such is true.

I grew up near the Cherokee National Forrest and remember as a child going there on picnics and reading the signs that read “Do not feed the bears”. When I asked why, my mother said, “Because that would just whet their appetite they might eat you, too.” Am I alone in recognizing a parallel here?

We have over sixty years of racing history filled with good and bad decisions…failures and successes that have led to safer racing and many other great improvements. We have an open book with which we should be capable of determining how to get this right. There are many elements and moving parts in the equation that equals success. One most important element in any successful business equation has been and always will be customer service.

I see many larger corporations (in my opinion) spending too much time trying to please the stock holders rather than satisfying the customer. Yet in today’s hi-tech world of instant and social media, customer service is more important than ever before. Has the world of NASCAR, including the organization itself and the teams and their drivers, determined that sponsors and television are their customers without regard that I still have the last word? Has NASCAR left me for another?

Being among the older generation of fans, I think I’m much different than the younger fans. Those youngsters are more hi-tech than I am. They seem to go from fad to fad diverting their attention at will. They seem (to me) to be less passionate and loyal. They probably haven’t noticed nor do they care of the things of which I mention here. But, I feel left out. I feel less important than in the past. I feel like I fed the hungry bear I admired so much and it showed its appreciation by eating me, then went on to look for its next meal. Now I feel just like bear poop.