Bristol is the Perfect Example of the State of NASCAR
Who hasn’t heard the stories of the difficulty in getting tickets to the Bristol NASCAR Race weekends? As hard as it may be to believe there once was a time when this humongous racing coliseum which seats 165,000 fans was filled to the rim. A waiting list for others to have the privilege to fork over hard earned bucks to see a race was many pages long. Today, crowds of less than 100,000 show up on race weekends. No other track best illustrates the southbound trend that NASCAR has ridden the last several seasons.
For many seasons NASCAR turned a blind eye to the state of their sport, quickly pointing to the nation’s economy as the culprit. It’s hard to argue that the economy did not have an impact on track attendance. People’s disposable income is the first thing that gets cut from a family’s budget. But there was much more at work here. Not only was on track attendance down but TV ratings continue to fall even when the economy began to turn.
The sport is still pretty much the same. I’d argue that today’s drivers are just as skilled in their trade as at any time in NASCAR. You want a superstar? Well love him or hate him, 7 time champion Jimmie Johnson is going to go down as one of the sports greatest of all time.
Finally it seems that NASCAR has got off their high horse to implement some changes that the sport has been crying for these past several seasons. Some of these changes have not always had some fans approval. The new Chase format, the new stages, bonus points, playoff points, lower downforce cars and now perhaps different tire options are huge changes for a sport which was so conservative it makes Ronald Regan’s policy’s appear slanted to the left. I say it was about time.
Cars going around a track at high speeds for 4 +hours just doesn’t make for compelling viewing either in person or on TV. In today’s instant gratification society, that just doesn’t cut. Blame the economy until the cows come home but the sport was crying out for some changes. Like them or not, I like them.
At the top of my list is the new downforce package. With so many single grove tracks and those cookie cutter 1.5 milers, the sport needed to make passing easier and more frequent. Much more work needs to be done in this area but the new downforce package is a major step in the right direction.
Stage racing has given sports fans events during a race. Through the first 7 races this season we’ve already seen some exciting stage finishes with drivers and crew chiefs taking risk in order to collect those important bonus and playoff points. Instead of seeing cars just making laps we’ve been treated to some hard mid race racing.
Today’s fans expect and in some cases demand more than just a sporting event. On track amenities has become important to the casual and new fan. Restaurants, music, among other things have become important. At Las Vegas there is what’s called a NEON Garage pass that any fan may purchase. It allows the fan access to an area where they can walk above the team’s garages before a race.
Oh sure I love Martinsville and Bristol. Those tracks will forever be loved by NASCAR fans. But even the super popular Bristol is feeling the impact of a stale sport which failed to change with the times. These are certainly different times we live in. More exciting racing, more “moments” and better venues are what this sport needs to begin to grow again.
As bleachers are removed from tracks like Dover International Raceway and as seats sit empty at Bristol, NASCAR has finally decided to take action. I for one am glad. Let's see if Bristol will lead the resurgence.
Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. 1110AM 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.COM. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante
