Part Four;
Near the end of part three, I mentioned a couple of things NASCAR could do to help create the name recognition missing in the Xfinity and Camping World Series, and soon to be in their "premier" series if the cup owners continue to bring the no-name kids along so quickly. I think some of the following ideas could go a long way in developing a real following for some of the new drivers.
The NASCAR TV package makes it possible to hold "developmental" series events in conjunction with the "cup" tracks which puts money in ISC and SMI pockets. Why not put some of that money in the South Boston's or Motor Miles, Langley's or Myrtle Beaches or any number of other great short tracks? Make the ISC and SMI tracks like Daytona, Charlotte and a few more special events for those series. They could use five of the ISC and SMI superspeedways (10 events). Then add in Martinsville, Bristol and Richmond for double headers for the Xfinity or trucks or even a big-time Late Model Stock or Modified show with one of the series when the cup cars are at some of the Midwest or west coast venues or even a week night or two. Then bring in six to eight of the great short tracks along with a couple of the stand-alone events those series already do and you have a good schedule that would generate some name recognition for the drivers as well as the excitement for the local fans getting to see the "developmental" series at their local track, not to mention the money the owners could save in travel, tires, engines, etc.
They could do away with Owner points unless the car was driven by an Xfinity/Camping World driver in every event. They could begin awarding their dang Stage points to the highest finishing series regular instead of the current system. If the "bushwhacker" doesn't receive driver points, they shouldn't dock the regulars the points for the positions filled by the "bushwhackers" or car owner points for that matter.
Getting back to having the "developmental" series at the short tracks. Can you imagine trying to find a seat at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway during the Tennessee State Fair for a Thursday night Camping World Truck Series event with Kyle Busch and Keselowsik rubbing fenders for a 200 lapper with the Nashville regulars in a seat or two on in a hundred lap Late Model door banger in front of a big crowd and a couple or three "name" owners or drivers scouting talent? Sounds good when you lay it out like this but I am sure NASCAR can find a way to complicate things.
Good things sometimes come in small packages. Maybe it is time to really get back to the roots of the sport and try to rebuild from the bottom up instead of from Daytona Beach down.
More in part five.
updated by @rwmyers: 08/17/17 10:08:28AM
