The Other Side of NASCAR

I'm gonna use one of Pk's favorite tools (cut and paste) for this discussion.

I know we all love to talk about how NASCAR has changed and why we do or do NOT like the way they do things. I came across the following article hidden in the back pages of the Jayski site. Maybe it will enlighten everyone as to the "inside" workings of the sport. (Being a bit of a smart-a## here)

If NASCAR would spend half as much time working on the racing side of things as it appears in this article they do on the marketing/adminstration side, maybe they would be able to produce the "product" many of us grew up loving. Half the people on this list wouldn't know what a race car, much less a modified or sportsman, hobby stock or "bomber", is until it"hit em in the ass".

As you read thriugh the list of promotions, make a mental note of the namesyou recognize or the positions they hold. Thepost your comments as to how many you know or how much you care about the vp of broadcasting and global media strategy, the NASCAR Innovation Group, digital media initatiative (whatever the heck that is) and my personal favorite, NASCAR's green platform.

GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!

NASCAR Adds Key Talent to Executive Team, Aligns Organization To Drive Industry Growth: To drive strategic priorities and overall industry growth, NASCAR announced key additions to its executive leadership team and several organizational changes designed to better position the sanctioning body for long-term growth and to meet the immediate needs of key industry partners. The changes are effective immediately.

BROADCASTING
Sports television veteran Steve Herbst has joined NASCAR Media Group (NMG) as vice president of broadcasting and global media strategy and will report to NMG President Paul Brooks. Herbst, who will be based in NASCARs New York City office, most recently held the position of executive vice president and general manger of CBS College Sports Network from 2008-2010. While there, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the 24-hour network. Under his leadership, the networks subscriber base grew by 75 percent and advertising sales increased by 56 percent. Prior to his stint at CBS-CSN, Herbst spent 19 years with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in a number of broadcasting positions, including SVP of Broadcast and General Manager of NBA TV. He was responsible for managing the leagues relationships with ABC, ESPN and TNT; served as head of production, programming, marketing and scheduling for NBA TV after launching the network in 1999; and played a key leadership role in the NBA.com news operation, NBAs video-on-demand productions and managed the leagues production and programming relationship with Sirius Satellite Radio.

NASCAR INNOVATION GROUP
In addition to his continued role as president of NASCAR Media Group, Paul Brooks will lead a newly-created NASCAR Innovation Group that is charged with driving innovation and integration of new technologies within NASCAR and across the industry through the development of new partnerships, alliances and other forward-thinkinginitiatives.

SPONSORSHIP, LICENSING, AUTO AFTERMARKET AND NEW BUSINESS
Recently-promoted Chief Sales Officer Jim OConnell, will now lead a consolidated intellectual property group that will manage all assets carrying the NASCAR trademark. This will include: Partnership Marketing, Auto Aftermarket, Licensing, and all new business efforts, including Official Partnerships with NASCAR. Norris Scott, who oversees NASCARs official partner relationships, has been promoted to vice president, partnership marketing. Scott, along with Blake Davidson (Licensing) and Todd Armstrong (Auto Aftermarket), will all now report to OConnell. NASCAR has opened a search for additional senior-level sales talent to bolster the efforts of the consolidated operation. OConnell will continue to report to NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps.

DIGITAL
Marc Jenkins has been promoted to vice president and tabbed to lead the companys digital media initiatives. Digital Media has been realigned under Marketing with Jenkins reporting directly to Phelps. Jenkins will continue to play a key role in the management of partnerships and development of digital initiatives for NASCAR.
INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
As previously announced, NASCARs Integrated Marketing Communications department is being led by new Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes. Former Bank of America Vice President of Global Media Relations Jon Schwartz has joined the IMC team as director of business communications. Schwartz, who has extensive experience in sports sponsorship marketing communications from stops at Bank of America, MasterCard and US Tobacco, will lead all communications efforts in support of OConnells intellectual property group.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
NASCAR Vice President of Strategic Development Eric Nyquist, who leads the strategic planning discipline for the company, will continue to oversee entertainment initiatives led by Zane Stoddard in NASCARs Los Angeles office and NASCARs Green platform which is directed by Michael Lynch.

EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS
In addition to the promotions of Scott and Jenkins to the vice president level, NASCAR has elevated three other key executives who also will become officers in the company. Jill Gregory, who leads critical industry support efforts with numerous NASCAR stakeholders, has been named vice president, industry services and will continue to report to Steve ODonnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. George Silbermann, who has played a central role in NASCARs efforts to strengthen its development series, has been elevated to vice president, regional and touring series and will also continue reporting to ODonnell. Marcus Jadotte has been promoted to vice president, public affairs and multicultural development. Jadotte, who has played a key role in legislative issues and led NASCARs Drive For Diversity program and other multicultural initiatives, will now report to NASCAR Senior Vice President and General Counsel Gary Crotty on public affairs initiatives and ODonnell on multicultural programs.

STATEMENT NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France
We are committed to driving the sport forward by strengthening each aspect of the fan experience and to driving the sport forward in areas that serve the needs of our partners and stakeholders. Were confident the changes we have made to our internal structure and the incredible talent weve added in these key strategic areas will best position NASCAR to drive industry growth now and in the future. (NASCAR)(4-29-2011)

updated by @randy-myers2: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Per Randy - Half the people on this list wouldn't know what a race car, much less a modified or sportsman, hobby stock or "bomber", is until it "hit em in the ass".

Randy, that might be just the solution to save NASCAR!!!

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

I read this, I think from your email, PKL. I too agree and have thought for some time the future of NASCAR would have to include PPV. Where else can they turn with declining ticket sales and less-than-favorable TV ratings? It does seem they are staffing up for more "show" and "marketing the show" related tasks that will most assuredly take them even further from the roots we enjoyed. Many of us seem to hang on to some sort of hope that someone will awaken some Monday and realize we and and millions of other old-school fans have wandered away wondering what happened to the sport, and that someone will begin the process of putting things back together for us. I don't think the future holds any hope of those folks, even for a moment, wondering where we may have wandered and why. They are in search of an entirely different fan. After all, most of us are no longer part of that ever-so-popular 18 - 35 year old demographic. For now, we are not their concern. They have noticed our departure and have with purpose, chosen their path.

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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

I will limit my response to one short and simple statement:" I don't believe Brian France gets it."

After thinking about it a bit, I decided to add a little more to my response. I believe the best thing that could happen regarding the future of stock car racing would be for NASCAR to have some competition - starting in the southeast quadrant of the USA. Obviously, there are many things which would be necessary for this to happen.............the first of which, of course, is suitable race tracks. It would take lots of money and qualified leaders to get such a project off the ground, and it occurs to me that Bruton Smith might be in a position to seriouslyresearch such a project. After all, his relationship with NASCAR has, at times, been on somewhat shakey ground. I remember hearing a few years ago that Cale Yarborough and a group of individuals were, in fact, looking into just such an undertaking - don't know what caused those plans to derail. A second thought I had was the possibility of ARCA running more races in the SE quadrant. Again, this would require the availability of suitable race tracks and would, of course, kill ARCA's relationship with NASCAR. Again, the only person who comes to mind who might consider such would be Bruton Smith............with possible assistance from people like Roger Penske, Humpy Wheeler, and others. Anyway, those kinds of thoughts are intriguing as to possible cures for what is wrong with NASCAR.

Jeff,I think you have hit it dead on. We are definitly part of the past and notthe future as far as the fan base is concerned. I have come to understand that since Big Bill left us,it will never be the same. The difference between Big Bill and Baby Brian is,Big Bill loved a good raceand Baby Brian loves a good dollar. Somewhere along the line Brian and Company figured out how to extract those dollars from the paying public and corporate America. Somewhere inbetween Big Bill,Little Bill and Baby Brian the money became more important than the love of racing.

Jeff Gilder said:

I read this, I think from your email, PKL. I too agree and have thought for some time the future of NASCAR would have to include PPV. Where else can they turn with declining ticket sales and less-than-favorable TV ratings? It does seem they are staffing up for more "show" and "marketing the show" related tasks that will most assuredly take them even further from the roots we enjoyed. Many of us seem to hang on to some sort of hope that someone will awaken some Monday and realize we and and millions of other old-school fans have wandered away wondering what happened to the sport, and that someone will begin the process of putting things back together for us. I don't think the future holds any hope of those folks, even for a moment, wondering where we may have wandered and why. They are in search of an entirely different fan. After all, most of us are no longer part of that ever-so-popular 18 - 35 year old demographic. For now, we are not their concern. They have noticed our departure and have with purpose, chosen their path.

It is such a sad thing, so sad. I realize that I can't bring back my youth, I can't bring back the energy I had when I was 25, not even 35. I had hoped there would be a way to bring back at least a shadow of what was, but I see, all to clearly, that will never be. Jeff is far more educated than I in such things and he has stated it plainly. The others here have made very valid and strong points. I know my only hope is the local track which I hope, throughout the country, will find a great fan base and present races that are as they were. I would love to see the ARCA series compete in the Southeast. I could handle being at those races. They can start with Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, and maybe even take a Labor Day Weekend trip to Darlington. There are dreams. I have plenty. Most will never come true but it doesn't stop me from dreaming.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Tim! Forgivem if I sound rude. I certainly don't mean to come across that way. BUT!!! The ARCA series has competed at the "Rock" for the past two yearsand there was not enough people there to start a good fight. I'm guilty myself for not attending but at least I knew they were there and I hope you did as well. Your post just doesn't come across that way. Forgive me if I mis-understood. With that said, The USAR ProCup Series and the UARA Late Models WILL be at Rockingham next weekend with Friday qualifying and Saturday afternoon racing. Come on out and see some of the future stars as well as some veterans on a great track. Spread the word!

Randy, you did not sound at all rude! I deeply appreciate you in many respects. I was at BOTH ARCA events at The Rock and loved them, absolutely loved them. But, you are correct, there was no one there at either event. The point I was trying to make is that if people down here are exposed to ARCA in several venues and get to know the drivers, then we have something! It is quite a competitive series, as you know, and loaded with talented drivers with some great personalities that big dollars haven't spoiled yet. Keep doing what you're doing Randy. But,if they have another ARCA race at The Rock, please join me there.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

I'll make the ARCA race if you make the ProCup/UARA combo. 300 laps on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Ok, Randy, you're on if I can afford the gas to get there when the event comes around. When and Where?


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

May 13 & 14 at "The Rock"

Randy, I am already committed for another appearance on the 13th and 14th. When will the next event happen?


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

I will post the complete ProCup schedule in a couple of days. They are working on a final event for October 22 to complete the 5 race "Champions Series".