TV Ratings/Gas Prices
Apparently, the all-important TV rating numbers for NASCAR's Nextel Cup division has enjoyed a rebound, in 2008. NASCAR execs attribute their growing viewership to their new strategy of "getting back to our core fans................"As a fan for the past 46 years, I can't seem to discern any difference betweeen this year's TV NASCAR and any of those of the recent past. It's pretty much been DW "boogity-boogity-boogitying........" and Larry McReynolds identifying the number of each and every car that he mentions.........."and there's JUNIOR in that EIGHTY EIGHT car taking the high side around Jeff Gordon in the TWENTY FOUR car..............and JUNIOR in that EIGHTY EIGHT car is REALLY carrying the torch for Hendrick THIS year............and now lets have an update from Jeff Hammond and the cut-away car............ OKAY, DW, reach up there and pull those belts tight (how do they get LOOSE?)..........we're going into OVERTIME"Well, I guess all such commentary as that, REALLY gets us old timers back to our roots..........it's almost like I'm at the Dog Track speedway.......just hearing.........."Jimmy Johnson and that FORTY EIGHT car has only won ONE race THIS year...........and Tony Stewart in the TWENTY car has YET TO WIN.............." Man! I can see Junior Johnson broadslidin' a '39 Ford coupe at Wilkesboro every time I hear that!But, it could be that the constant passing on the speedway has improved racing. And it could be that NASCAR and their brazillian-aire engineers at the "Nascar Technical institute" has finally solved the dreaded "aero-push" and the equally feared........"he took the AIR off my spoiler" problems. And it could be that GOODYEAR has stopped bringing inferior TARS to the races. Probably, it's a combination of all of the above.But, NASCAR's improved TV performance, just might be because FOLKS CAN'T AFFORD TO LEAVE HOME. See, NASCAR, we got this gas crisis goin' on. We can't even afford to go to a local track, that is, if we can find one that ya'll ain't shut down by having live Saturday night, "just like at the local track", NEXTEL CUP events. Make that........."just like it was when we actually HAD local tracks......." So, everything is wonderful in NASCAR-land, and they're some back-to-our-roots promotin' son-of-a-guns, BUT is just might have a thing or two to do with FOUR DOLLAR GASOLINE!
You nailed it, Bobby. I haven't seen any "back to the roots" evidence...just some talk about it. My Daddy always said....watch what a man does....not what he says he's doin. In other words their "back to the roots/core stuff" is merely "lip service". And you're exactly right....with 4 dollar gas....lots of folks are cuttin back on the drivin.
Sure hurts us low-buck racers trying to make a name for ourselves too.
I agree with Dale Dodge Jr. I feel lucky there are 3 local tracks within 20 miles of me. If you want to see a race buy the gas and go. I bet you buy it to go anywhere else.
I'm sure $4.00 a gallon gasoline has ALOT to do with the TV ratings. I've watched some NASCAR races this year and I don't see what is back to the basics. As far as i'm concerned, the pre-race at Daytona was a big joke and a disrespect to the legends who helped shape NASCAR. A couple of quick shots of some of the old cars and the legends watching the pop concert that looked like the performers were lip syncing was a joke! Robbie, I agree with you, those legends deserved far better than that. As I've stated in the past, I miss the 80's and the drivers that were racing. I wasn't around in the 50's or 60's and I was too young to remember the 70's. That is why the 80's are my good old days. As far as i'm concerned, the late 90's started the decline in NASCAR and it hasn't gotten any better.Dale, I to say that the lowbuck local guys like you get more repsect from me than the big dollars of NASCAR. I live 5 minutes from one race track and about 15 from another. I would much rather go see local guys run on the dirt over sitting at home and watching the races on TV. I don't get to always go due to other responsibilities that must be attended to, but I go as often as I can. Also, the local guys put on a much better show in my opinion.As far as broadcasters are concerned, Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons are the standard that anyone in broadcasting should be judged by. Those guys are by far the best and THEY belong covering the races today! I liked Waltrip as a driver, but do not care for him as an announcer nor do I care for any of them at Fox. Bobby has a good point. It's pretty much the same for Mc Reynolds and the rest week in and week out. Also, just about every week All you heard from Darrell is how talented Kyle Busch is. If I didn't know better, I'd thought he was the only car in the race! I do not need Larry telling me what car number the guys are driving everytime he mentions their name. I've been following racing for along time and I like most fans know what driver drives what car.Now that I've ranted, I don't want to give the impression that I hate NASCAR racing because I don't, but I don't think that Brian France is the leader that his father or grandfather were. I know that Bill and Big Bill made people mad over the years, but I think they did a better job than Brian with the overall running of NASCAR.
Interestingly, and perhaps coincidentally, on Friday (6/13/08) while the drivers were assembled at Michigan, NASCAR held a special drivers meeting:..... "Y'all stop complaining about the COT and start driving and racing ............times are tough, our fans (and don't expect a sell-out here) are sacrificing a lot right now. You all just put on a good show for the ones that can attend..........." I could be paraphrasing, but that was the gist of the meeting. NASCAR was correct about the empty seats too!