Brian Talk

I do note that the NASCAR's Chief Honcho admits to not being an economist.Posted for informational purposes only. No further comment from this party in keeping with the spirit of the Rules of Engagement.

NASCAR chairman optimistic during sluggish economy
By: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 09, 2011
KANSAS CITY, Kan. --

The Chase standings are tighter than ever. Television ratings are up and attendance has been robust at the first four races in NASCAR's version of a playoff.

Things are certainly rosy on the track, even if that's not entirely the case off it.

Several teams are contemplating layoffs during a down economy, when sponsorship has become harder to secure. The latest example came just this week, when Turner Motorsports released Nationwide Series championship contender Reed Sorenson and advised employees it might downsize at the end of the season, after sponsor Dollar General announced it would not return in 2012.

NASCAR chairman Brian France said Sunday he's not oblivious to teams' financial concerns, but he remains optimistic the economy will not cause long-term problems for the sport.

"I've always said I'm not an economist," France said, "but I know what you know, and it's very difficult out there for companies, and people in general, and that has an impact on us."

France said the one positive that comes from teams downsizing is it creates opportunities for other teams contemplating a move to NASCAR's top tier.

"We'll see in the offseason teams thinking about moving up that didn't want to because there wasn't availability or they couldn't make an event," France said. "I hope everybody comes back, I hope everybody gets what they need to compete, but if the economy is difficult, it does allow opportunities for others. I guess that's the only silver lining to it."

France also confirmed negotiations have begun with Sprint to remain the title sponsor of NASCAR's top tier. Sprint is in the eighth year of a 10-year, $750 million contract.

The struggling wireless carrier, based in suburban Kansas City, posted its 15th consecutive quarterly loss in July. The nation's third-largest carrier also reported more contract customers defected to rivals AT&T and Verizon than some analysts had expected.

"It's a program that's worked well for them and we're in a time where we're having those kinds of discussions about extending the relationship," France said. "My hope is that we will."

France addressed several other issues Sunday at Kansas Speedway:

The points system, which was streamlined this season, has created tighter standings that are easier for fans to understand. Bonus points are still awarded, but otherwise each spot on the track roughly equates to a point. Only 19 points separated the top nine drivers coming to Kansas.

"I'm not sure we could be anymore pleased with how the Chase is unfolding, and frankly, how the season is unfolding, the level of competition, the closeness of the Chase," France said.

"Our hope always is that we come down to the finale at South Florida, at Homestead, and we have as many drivers really in the thick of it as possible. That's the goal, that's what we hope."

Television ratings have been on the rise after a couple of years of stagnation, particularly in younger demographics, a key to the sport's continued growth.

France said much of that is tied to the tight Chase standings.

"You'll see this in the various playoffs and championships in all kinds of sports, it comes down to storylines and matchups," he said. "When you have more of that, good storylines and great racing in our case, you should do better, and we are doing better."

France said he isn't concerned that paving projects at Phoenix this year and Kansas in 2013 will dramatically alter the competition. Drivers had mixed reactions after testing at Phoenix earlier this week, and many said Friday they would prefer the Kansas surface be left alone.

"The kind of asphalt they lay down, even sometimes changing the configuration a little bit like they did in Phoenix, it's all designed to provide more side-by-side racing," France said.

--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 03/12/17 03:53:56PM

Dave, I admire you! I always have since my introduction to you, but to post this and not comment at all takes a REAL man. I admit, due the Rules of Engagement and the threat by Jeff to kick an offender off the site (which has happened to me once already), I must temper my thoughts with very kind words. I recently discovered quite an amazing fact about contributions by NASCAR and some of its subsidiaries, to political action groups AND to political parties. To say I was shocked at what I discovered is an understatement. But, considering the overall opinions and performances of Brian Z. France, I should not be surprised that his political leanings could stand a "track bar adjustment". The beauty of our country is that people are entitled to opinions and entitled to express those opinions. The statements made here by Mr. France smack of the same rhetoric that the main stream media continues to put out about the improving economy. Frankly, I am not seeing that in Columbia, SC. Frankly, in several conversations I had in my travels this weekend with folks from several areas of the Carolinas, I am not seeing where the economy is making any sizeable improvements, if any at all. I am sure Brian is quaking in his loafers (without socks) as Sprint considers what they may or may not do with future sponsorship. Sprint may have two more years on that 10 year contract but we all know just how easily contracts can be broken and after 15 quarters of losses, can bankruptcy be out of the question and that would end the Sprint Cup pretty quick?.

I see Brian makes reference to the demographics he wishes to inspire if the sport is to continue to grow! My position has been, and will remain, that to court the 18 to 36 year olds, without giving them the historic basis of this sport, is fraud, deceit, and plain out depriving those fans of a base on which to build a real loveof the sport. As for increasing tv ratings, where is he pulling that? The reports I've seen don't show that but I don't have access to the NASCAR magic lamp of tv ratings. And fans in the stands???? Come on. Every race I watch is more distinguishable by the empty seats in the stands than the action of the track.

I will say this again, and continue to repeat this mantra forever. I love stock car racing. I want NASCAR to succeed. I want to see the sport grow. I want to see closer points races, more competition, and drivers with personalities of their own rather than personalities created by media demand. I want to see cars that look likes STOCK cars, not cars that look like a Pokemon creation from Anime studios somewhere. We had it all once. We let it slip away, or maybe it was ripped away from us. I love the memories. I want to make more. But at my age and with what's going on in the sport, the likelihood of wonderful memories from future events in highly doubtful.Remind me, some day, to tell you my memories of the 1964 Daytona 500 and how I was there to see it in person.

As Bob Hope used to sing, "Thanks for the Memories". I'll add to that "for racing way back then, when drivers were the men who made the engines roar and the fan's spirit's soar". Ok, so I stink as a song writer, but you get the drift. Think of Buck Baker versus Kyle Busch. Think of Fireball Roberts versus Carl Edwards. Think of Lee Petty versus Kevin Harvick. Which ones are the racers and which ones are media manufactured glamour boys? Consider that question carefully!

--
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, I couldn't agree more about not giving the 18-36 year old demo the historic basis of stock car racing. When I first met and started working with Bud Moore and Paul Sawyer in 1981, I was already 34 years old, had been a race fan over half my life and had been a part owner of a dirt stock car in the previous decade... I thought I knew a lot about stock car racing. Boy was I wrong. Those two gentlemen, and later Glen and Leonard Wood, really "took me to school" about racing history. Being around those four men who had both built and ownedcars driven by Joe Weatherly and Curtis Turner gave me a totally different slant on stock car racing's roots. I was so lucky to hear the private, behind the scenesstories. My wife always says I should write a book. One day I might. I know this, if I ever do write a book, its title will come straight from what Paul Sawyer called the modern day racers - "Whores With Helmets."


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

He worked one weekend I remember very well. He and a little buddy took a bunch of outdated Daytona programs, put new covers on them that had come from the printer and started selling them at face value outside a Daytona gate before daddy Bill was informed and busted it. Shortly thereafter, Z was sent to live on the West Coast and travel the Winston West Tour with Dennis Huth and Ken Clapp.


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Wonder how many of our members have heard of a California company named Brand Sense Partners? You should check its website http://www.bsp.com/ and look at the officers of the company and at the client brands. Ever wonder why Sheryl Crow performed at so many NASCAR races or who is representing AmourAll and STP (that should make Legend severely sick). Interesting stuff here. Ever need Britney Spears for a gig... just call Z.


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

When I first read the AP article above my thoughts were about how Nascar has went from being a sanctioning body to a governing body. In short a sanctioning body is about maintaining a level playing field and a governing body is about controlling the outcome. After reading the responses I first thought I had missed the point, after further consideration I think not. The biggest problem with todays Nascar is self inflicted, no one made it go from a sanctioning body to a governing body, it chose to. Political correctness is not a business plan, it is a failure of leadership. You don't know what to do so you listen to those who you think do. Looking at the people BZF associates and does business with I'm not surprised at the direction he is taking. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, its a duck. L I B, M R Ducks! ( read: eL i be, em are ducks )

Dave,I did check out that website and read every word of every page. I simply cannot comment at this time as it shocks me that no one here, least of all me, had ever heard of that company or even knew such an enterprise existed. Sick, Dave? Yes, I may be feeling a little under the weather at the moment because I really can't seem to grasp the idea that there are people who operate thusly, business or not business. I may comment at a later date. Thanks for posting it Dave.

--
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.

A little food for thought on a rainy afternoon in Charlotte -

NASCAR Head Honcho Brian France (Z) was born in 1962

Just to show you how much things have changed since his birth, consider this:

In calendar year 1962, NASCAR ran 38 sanctioned Grand National races at these 24 venues that are no longer on the Cup schedule:

Concord, NC (1/2-mi dirt) - 2 races

Weaverville, NC - 2 races

Savannah, GA - 2 races

Hillsborough, NC

Columbia, SC - 2 races

N. Wilkesboro, NC - 2 races

Greenville, SC - 2 races

Myrtle Beach, SC - 2 races

Winston-Salem, NC - 3 races

Richmond, VA (1/3-mile paved Southside Speedway) - 2 races

Hickory, NC - 2 races

Spartanburg, SC - 2 races

Augusta, GA - 3 races

South Boston, VA

Asheville, NC

Chattanooga, TN

Nashville, TN

Huntsville, AL

Roanoke, VA

Valdosta, GA

Moyock, NC

Birmingham, AL

Tampa, FL

Randleman, NC

Prices for some selected items in 1962, the year of the Head Honcho's birth:

Chewing gum pack - 5 cents

Loaf of bread - 20 cents

Movie ticket - 50 cents

Gallon of gas - 31 cents

Postage Stamp - 4 cents

Pay phone call - 10 cents

Minimum Wage - $1.25/hr

Top-10 Pop Songs of 1962 - Head Honcho Birth Year:

1. Stranger on the Shore - Mr. Aker Bill

2. I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles

3. Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp

4. Roses are Red - Bobby Vinton

5. The Stripper - David Rose

6. Johnny Angel - Shelley Fabares (daughter on Donna Reed Show)

7. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva (from Kinston, NC)

8. Let Me In - Sensations

9. The Twist - Chubby Checker

10. Soldier Boy - Shirelles

Top-10 Country Songs of 1962 - Head Honcho Birth Year

1. From a Jack to a King - Ned Miller

2. It Keeps Right On a -Hurtin' - Johnny Tillotson

3. Old Rivers - Walter Brennan (Real McCoys TV show)

4. Devil Woman - Marty Robbins (#42 Dodge)

5. Wolverton Mountain - Claude King

6. Funny Way of Laughing - Burl Ives

7. PT 109 - Jimmy Dean

8. Ruby Ann - Marty Robbins (ran the 1972 Winston 500 with illegal carburetor so he could pass The King!)

9. She's Got You - Patsy Cline (dated Virginia driving ace Al Grinnan of Fredericksburg - listening Darth?!)

10. Send Me the Pillow You Dream On - Johnny Tillotson

As I consider the above information, I guess its pretty easy to understand why Head Honcho can't relate to my generation.

--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Only takes one apple............


--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Love the "Food for Thought" Dave. Thanks. Brought back some awesome memories. Really got into thinking of all that good music I would listen to driving to and from the races.


--
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.