I want to weigh in on this. I will try to keep this short. Many reasons for the lack of draw to NASCAR. Economy is one of them. I think the drivers are more robotic and do not look like they are having fun. When the drivers are not as exciting or interesting it makes for some boring racing. I think alot has to do with the aero package the cars have. The cars have changed to the point where things like aero push and little stuff like that effect racing. Even the smallest body panel damage effects the handling. As a result we see less sheet metal swapped like in the old days. Not to mention got alot of young drivers who are now having to watch their Ps and Qs more then ever because NASCAR can change rules and fine you for just saying something they believe to be " to bedetrimental to stock car racing." I know I was critical of the Brad K interview in his delivery but if more drivers voiced their opinions like that I think it is good for the sport. That is how you gather fans by giving the drivers a voice. If you keep restricting it, how are you suppose to gauge personalities in NASCAR? When you got no interesting personalities why watch?
Competition I feel is lacking. I can remember growing up in the 90s you had some great personalities like Jarrett, Earnhardt, Elliot, Wallace, Martin, Irvan and alot of times you did not know who would win next week because it was that competitive. You had a wide variety of different winners every week. It kept you hooked. That is what got me hooked. Last week Jarrett got pushed by Earnhardt, will Jarrett pay him back? This week Elliott won and a bunch of Fords have already won in previous weeks, can the Chevys dominate again? Today you got a lack of competition and it is too predictable.
I think the track variety has hurt the racing too. When your schedule is made up of tracks that are a carbon copy of each other, how does that make it interesting? You take exciting tracks like North Wilkesboro and The Rock off the schedule and replace them with boring, bland and tracks that lack character. It does not present much of a challenge anymore. I think shortening races would be something to consider and perhaps have more short tracks and less intermediate tracks.
Yes it is bad how drivers do not sign like they used to or are not as personal as they used to be. Unfortunately I think the reason for this is because autographs have become big business for some people. At the end of the day is that person gonna hang that autograph up in his man cave for people to see or sell it on ebay? I used to go up to Daytona for testing and every year this woman came to the track with all these diecast cars. She would have bags and bags of them and make some kids get them signed. Just disgusting. You got this women pimping her kids and their friends to get autographs for her own selfish need. She was downright rude and would whine over how the driver would even sign things!!! I think perhaps some of the drivers are perhaps annoyed by this. But then you got some arrogant drivers too who will not sign. But for everyone of those there are some good ones. I think there are some very nice drivers out there who do take the time out. I can recall at testing alot of drivers would get done with their runs and between the time would sign. Marcos Ambrose while still talking to one of the mechanics out of no where and unexpectedly dropped by to say hi to me and sign my flag. Dale Jarrett was there from ESPN and signed for all the fans with a smile and with grace. He made conversation about his Dad and golf. Carl Edwards was the same too. Just as he was on TV. Made conversation with the fans. If enough of the drivers were good ambassadorsof the sport that would help too.
Overall. NASCAR is just lacking competition, character and fun. If NASCAR can work on encouraging that, I think the sport would be selling out again
