Low attendance at California... again.

Well another raceviewed by many empty seats, but somehow California keeps 2 races a year. I thought the purpose of going to thse larger markets was to insure that the attendance numbers would be higher. I saw where a generous number of 56,000 attended the race at California this week. I love the way the TV coverage tries to avoidshots that show large areas of empty seats, and the way the tracks are using the multi-colored seats to give the impression that people are setting there. It's time to take one of the dates from California and give it to a track that can attact enough fans to justify the move. I really don't care where the date goes, but I would love to see NASCAR return to a track that was robbed of a date in the past. N. Wilkesboro or Rockingham would get my vote, or return the Southern 500 to Darlington.

What are your thoughts?

Bumpertag in S. Carolina

updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Keep up the talk Bumpertag--Im behind you a 100% on this,maybe with enough noise we can get the lady in black her show days back--Now wouldnt that be something to brag about? I sure would be proud to attend this --------------------A G A I N

I feel I'm preaching to the choir on this, I'm sure most agree it's time to take one date from Cali. It was a noble effort to get "Big Time" NASCAR racing in Southern California, but once again, the crazy side of this country doesn't get it. Lets all shout loud and continuously and I think we can get something done, and this time it would be FOR the fans.

56,000 and many of them sold for as low as $35.00. H E L L O!


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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

I think they could get AT LEAST 56,000 at Rockingham or Darlington, and possibly N. Wilkesboro with a few added seats. Looking at this as a long time fan, I would love to see the return to any of these tracks. I would go, if for no other reason than to be able to say "I told you so." NASCAR should understand by now SoCal is not the promised land they have hoped for. The true promised land is where the fans are, right here in the South East. We've carried this sport like no other region in the country.

I absolutely agree............but considering some of the decisions made by NASCAR in recent years, it seems that they don't listen much to the long-time, loyal, core group of fans who made the sport what it is. Sometimes it seems that they consciously strive to go in the opposite direction from this same core group of fans. In my opinion, the grassroots & strongest supporters of stock car racing are found in the southeast quadrant of the country............not to offend the northeast & mid-western supporters of stock car racing, but I do agree that California is not the market that NASCAR envisioned and that one of those race dates should be re-assigned to an area where they have traditionally received the strongest support. Bumpertag said:

I think they could get AT LEAST 56,000 at Rockingham or Darlington, and possibly N. Wilkesboro with a few added seats. Looking at this as a long time fan, I would love to see the return to any of these tracks. I would go, if for no other reason than to be able to say " I told you so ." NASCAR should understand by now SoCal is not the promised land they have hoped for. The true promised land is where the fans are, right here in the South East. We've carried this sport like no other region in the country.

When Ann and I were watching the race, the first camera pass by the turn grandstands, I was astounded. It was practically empty. I immediately began to wait for the main grandstand camera shot and there was NEVER a good shot of the main grandstands. 56,000 huh? We had 25,000 less than that at track where no races had run in 30 plus years and there wasn't even a race that day. Something is really wrong with that picture. Rockingham would be great, North Wilkesboro would be great, and I will alway crusade to have the Southern 500 back in Darlington on Labor Day weekend. Even if NASCAR only wants to go back to 1980 for its historic beginnings.


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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'm glad I stated something that everyone agrees with for a change! I was beginning to feel very lonely.

I would LOVE to see the Southern 500 back at Darlington!

I hope Michigan doesn't look like that this year. California was pathetic and should lose their dates. But then if you listen Felix Stab-at-us the only people left in Detroit are the unemployed and police. Our dates should be taken away according to Felix. Last I looked Ford, GM and Chrysler still are headquartered in Southeast Michigan.Attendance is dropping everywhere except maybe Bristol and a handful of other tracks. I would also vote for seeing the Labor Day race at Darlington. Yippeee.Pete in Michigan

Ditto Ditto Ditto !!! angie said:

I would LOVE to see the Southern 500 back at Darlington!

The Southern 500 should be put back at Darlington........and should always stay there. It has a longer tradition than any other super speedway race on the schedule & NASCAR should preserve that..........it seems like nothing is sacred anymore. Rick Yarborough said:

Ditto Ditto Ditto !!!

angie said:

I would LOVE to see the Southern 500 back at Darlington!

A big part of what we see is how the cars are set up and what Nascar has done to the schedule. Losing the Labor Day Darlington event was a bad move period. Does anyone recall seeing a "Bad" race at Wilkesboro ? Rockingham was not known for close finishes but the drivers loved that track.What has been done with the cars in recent years does have an effect on the racing. It is all about AERO. The cars are restricted with aero tricks, gear rules, engine compression limits, restrictor plates and so on..Nascar had to do something when Bobby Allison ripped down the fence at Talladega in 1987 but they did the wrong thing. When questioned about using smaller engines they responded by saying that the engine builders would eventually find the power bringing them right back to well over 200mph at the big tracks. This was a bad move by the boys in Daytona Beach. The should have went with a smaller motor and or a smaller carb. Since then they have been working on the bodies to keep them on the ground. That has worked really well has it not ?Another key is the weight of these cars. The minimum weight used to be 3,600 or 3,700 lbs. Nascar dropped 200 lbs off the cars. Do you think that 200lbs might slow them down abit and just maybe keep them on the ground ? Add restrictor plates with the AERO treatment and you have 30 car freight trains where someone is eventually going to make a mistake.Before the COT Nascar gave the teams what they wanted resulting in a car that for all intent was a modified. The word "Push" became very popular because if a car was not in front it would not turn. Now Nascar is doing it there way and it's even worse. AERO now outweighs mechanical grip and it affects the competition in a negative way. Nascar's regulations limit the choices the drivers and mechanics have concerning car set up based on the track or track conditions.What does this rant have to do with Cali ? Nothing and everything. The people in So Cal never have been into big time stock car racing, maybe it reminds them of being on the LA Freeway. To be sure the short track scene in Cali on the other hand is real hot. The verything part of it ? Nascar has homogonised the sport to the point of being boring. Funny that the Cali race was actaully pretty good and so was Daytona. Will we see some good racing ? Hope so ....

Yes, BT, everyone agrees with you on this one for sure, with the exception of maybe occupants of the office building on Volusia Avenue. As to Richard Guido's reply, Richard, you are on top of it guy! I loved the part about LA freeway traffic. Keep up the good thoughts guys. This is great.


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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.

Bumpertag I could not agree with you more. California has had how many tracks over the last 30 years; and how many of them have closed for whatever reason. They are like a bunch of spoiled kids. They scream and holler untill they get their "new toy" and then they don't want it. Of course its at the cost of a race or a track in the Southeast. I think Pocono is another track that could give up one or both of its races.

Keep the pressure on 'um boys! .