You know, back in the beginning of the sport called stock car racing, which is better known as NASCAR Stock Car racing the races was often run without spectators. Two, three, maybe four or more of the “good old boys” would take their hot rod moonshine haulers out to the dirt roads of a cow pasture somewhere and race them for the sport of it. Slowly but surely, some figured out ways to make money by “promoting” the races which, in those days, meant putting up advertising to get fans in the gate, collect the money, and while the cars and drivers battled it out for victory, the “promoter” was running his own race to get far enough away from the scene before the drivers realized he was gone. It is unknown how many such “promoters” may have been caught, tarred and feathered, or worse, but it is a pretty safe bet to assume many of them had to disappear from the area where they pulled the rip off never to be heard from again.
Along comes a guy named Big Bill France. He had the foresight to see what the sport could become with the right kind of promotion. Love him or hate him, Big Bill had the ideas and the drive to make things happen. I love to hear Bill Blair tell about Big Bill and his Daddy going around nailing posters on telephone pole promoting the upcoming event in the area. Big Bill France worked hard building NASCAR stock car racing into a viable sport to contend with the likes of the NFL and MLB. Daytona International Speedway was his dream and he made it happen. What a true palace for the sport of stock car racing.
Once, in 1960-61, NASCAR was threatened with a Union when Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts and Tim Flock proposed organizing the drivers under the banner of the Teamsters so financing could be arranged for Charlotte Motor Speedway. The story goes that Big Bill showed up with a pistol, which he lay on the table, and stated flatly that there would be NO union in NASCAR. Fireball Roberts withdrew from the Union but Curtis and Tim maintained their determination to finance the track which resulted in a “lifetime” ban from NASCAR by Big Bill. Curtis was later reinstated in 1965 when Big Bill needed him and Tim Flock worked for Charlotte Motor Speedway almost to the end of his life.
When Big Bill handed over the steering wheel of NASCAR to Bill, Jr., it was time for Junior to take the sport to the next level. What had been built from 1949 through 1971 was on a solid foundation but had seemed to stagnate in a well controlled atmosphere of racing in the Southeast and an occasional trip out West and up North. Enter R. J.Reynolds. Cigarette advertising had been banned from television but thanks to Junior Johnson, Winston brand cigarettes found a way to make its presence known in the sporting world. The “Winston Cup” was born and “Winston Loves Racing” signs were seen in almost every open air market and gas station in the Southeast. Suddenly, NASCAR racing was being promoted, heavily promoted throughout the country. The involvement of Winston brought National fame to the sport and The Winston Cup was one of the most coveted trophies in sports.
In 1979, NASCAR racing was brought to television with the flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500 which ended with such a profound punctuation mark, that folks all over the country who may never have head for NASCAR were suddenly becoming fans. It appeared the sky was indeed the limit as the sport grew by leaps and bounds and the schedule added new tracks in new locations and the old tracks were adding seat as fast as the construction could go. NASCAR was enjoying a boom like it never had before in any single era of the sport.
As the new century passed the Y2K scare, NASCAR was still moving forward but once more the steering wheel was passed to the new generation. The new generation of the France family who had spent more of his youth on the West Coast living the life of luxury and privilege rather than selling tickets and programs as had his father and grandfather. But this is not an indictment as to Brian Z. France, merely a statement of my opinion that he, personally, has nothing invested in NASCAR and appears to have interest other than what is best for the sport. Being an American, he has the right to proceed as he chooses. Being a France, he has the obligation to the sport, like it or not.
My thoughts today go back to the race Sunday at Loudon, New Hampshire, a track I despise. Apparently, judging from the lack of fans in the stands, I am not alone in my disdain for this track. I have to admit the racing was good, and I was pleased with the outcome, but the lack of fans was very obvious at this smaller track with even fewer grandstand seats that some of the local tracks around the South.
It concerns me is the fans continue to stay away and the television ratings continue to fall as fast as Danica through the field. Sponsors are leaving long time associations with teams and Nationwide has pulled sponsorship for the second tier series and so far, no sponsor has been announced although NASCAR has hinted that something is in the works. Notice to Mike Helton, this is JULY, Dude, you had better get it in gear.
As if all the aforementioned issues were not enough, we are now advised of the birth of the RTA, Race Team Alliance, which announced its presence last Monday. Obviously, the word “union” is not mentioned and is, in fact, flatly denied. NASCAR has gone to great lengths to say that they are aware of the intentions of the RTA and have no “animosity” (NASCAR’s word) towards the owners. Watching Mike Helton’s press conference gave me the impression that NASCAR is not yet fully aware of what may lie in store with the RTA and is proceeding very cautiously. I also noticed that, for the first time to my knowledge, competitors are referred to as “stakeholders”. Another very well imagined description of something NASCAR isn’t sure of and not quite sure it is going to be a comfortable situation.
Over the past week I have read all I could find on the RTA, although what is actually coming out of the RTA spokesman is very limited. Whatever name they wish to call it, they seem to adhere more to a “union” label than an organization with the best interest of NASCAR in their creed. Would seem to me the best interest of the owners of the teams is the objective. All in all, that may not be a bad thing. However, with the requirements set forth to be a member of the RTA, which is attempting to qualify for 95% of the races, this eliminates the Wood Brothers. In my opinion, a bad move at the outset.
My reasoning is this: NASCAR negotiated a television package in the Billions of dollars. Yet, according to what I have read, any increase in purses and incentives to teams is minimal, if at all. NASCAR has controlled the sport for more than 65 years with the iron fist of a dictator and in many ways, that was a good thing. That’s what saved the sport at least twice. But things are different now. There are no longer one and two car teams like the Petty’s, the Wood Brothers, Smokey Yunick. We have, in essence, a series operating out of the pockets of Hendrick, Rousch, Childress, Gibbs and various minor players. We have powerful owners carrying huge bankrolls to take on NASCAR and its huge bankroll. Just how powerful, for instance, is Rick Hendrick? Google him and read some of the articles talking about his dealerships, his vacation homes, his yachts. Unreal.
NASCAR has controlled it all but those days may be coming to an end. The RTA will bear close watching by NASCAR and by fans. The RTA has said, in one of its limited statements, that consideration of the fans is one objective of the organization. And while we are on the subject of fans, wonder if NASCAR would concern itself with a RFA, a Race Fans Alliance? I was on the NASCAR Fan Council for two years until they discovered I was involved with on air radio with RacersReunion and I got the email saying they didn’t want me involved anymore. In retrospect, I guess I never was involved because although I completed every survey they sent, and there was one after every race, I never got feedback. I offered my cell number at the end of each survey with a request that they call so we could talk about whatever the issue of the day was. Never, ever, got a call. The only communication from them other than the weekly survey was the email telling me I was no longer welcome as a member.
Fans are staying away from the tracks. Fans are staying away from the television. It is truly a pity because racing hasn’t been bad this year. Competition has been much better than in the previous six or seven years and this new Chase format, although I detest the Chase, has moved away from the running for points to running for the win. That is how it should be. That’s the way it always should have been.
So, if they had a race and no one was in the stands, would they race anyway? Yep, if the money was right. It’s money now, not the honor of beating your competitor with a better car or better driving. But I can understand that. I think the RTA understands that. What NASCAR had better do is understand that the RTA poses, in my opinion, a serious threat to NASCAR’s corner on the money. Regardless if the “spin” the sophisticated public relations people at the RTA attempt to sell, these owners have the power to control what NASCAR does.
One other point I want to make here. Bruton Smith has come out totally against the RTA and has said some very negative things about it. I am sort of in the corner of “If Bruton doesn’t like it, then I DO like it”. What Bruton Smith did to Rockingham and North Wilkesboro should be a crime. When he tore up a great Atlanta International Raceway to remanufacture a “cookie cutter” mile and a half, I was ready to send him a nasty e-mail then. Yep, you’re right; I’m not a Bruton fan.
As to the question about the tree in the forest, if anyone can prove that one way or another, please let me know. We may have the opportunity to corner some of that money for ourselves.
