Not many businesses can claim over 6 decades of existence. NASCAR is is part of an amazing minority of businesses that have managed to survive the many challenges and obstacles faced by all.  Seems harder to accomplish longevity in any relationship with each passing year. NASCAR is no stranger to relationship issues. They have struggled with their relationships along the way, especially with  their "original" core fan base. Most of those older fans have come to wonder if they (NASCAR) even care about them and what they want from the sport.

This is where I get on my favorite soap box. Those of you who know me knew it was coming. Pardon the lengthy paragraph to follow and potential "run-on" sentences. Just under 10 years ago corporate America decided to kick those (us) lovable baby boomers to the proverbial curb in lieu of a younger more tech savvy lot...then 18 to 24 years old. They (corporate America) just knew the geezers would never adopt to the web and the evolution of smart devices on the horizon. They were wrong, but that's just the beginning of sorrows. NASCAR whose (then) fan base was much older than the new corporate target decided to change / target / report a much younger demographic as it's fan base to save it's badly needed corporate sponsorship partners. In the process, they alienated the older fans through lack of attention and a series of changes to the sport all focused on competing with other sports for audience / younger fans / corporate dollars. The fallacy ( we the geezers thought)...? The younger folks do not have the financial resources for expensive race weekends that include inflated hotel room rates and multiple ticket packages. Little did we (the geezers) know that NASCAR cared much less about selling tickets than it's very lucrative television packages. Regardless of that scenario, the world or circumstances that grew NASCAR to it's pinnacle was largely based on passionate and brand loyal fans buying sponsors products. And that surely hasn't changed. The fallacy...? Younger fans do not seem to be as passionate and therefore loyal as the "original" core fan base. Competition for their attention coupled with the time required to be a "real" NASCAR fan seems to have NASCAR again faced with  fan relationship issues as they to struggle find replacement fans every couple of years. Even so, NASCAR recently closed it's most impressive television package. And for that I / we (the geezers) commend them. Great sales job! But for this to produce results for TV folks, NASCAR's fans have to watch the races and still have to buy sponsors / advertiser's products. After all we've been through, this is still the "core" value that will determine NASCAR's success or failure. I hate to use the "F" word, but one has to consider the challenge ahead.

Thanks for allowing me to once again get that off my chest. I always feel some better afterward. So, this brings me to my decision of whether to support or bitch about the new changes to the chase. I've hated the chase ever since the idea of it's inception. Still hate it....but. I still love stock car racing, and yes, NASCAR. They're kind of like a problem family member.  You don't like or approve of their actions, but still somehow love them because they have been a major part of your life.  For that reason and the fear of the "F" (failure) word, I support the changes. After all, some of you reading this have been guilty of saying, "If you're (NASCAR) trying to emulate a playoff with the chase, then just go ahead and include eliminations." I think this format will (at least initially) increase television viewers. That's what NASCAR needs to be successful. I am for that.

At this point in my reign of fandom, bitching hasn't improved the sport or my perception thereof. I'd love to see the sport I grew up loving return to the pinnacle once held. Just like that problem family member, I will (perhaps) never give up on them. It has been several years since I've attended a NASCAR race. Almost as long since I've watched one in it's entirety on TV. I still attend and support local and regional short track racing. Don't have any plans to attend any NASCAR races in the near future, but will most likely tune to see how the new format for the chase works out. I really dread having to listen to DW, though...is he still on TV?