NASCAR (and let’s cut to the Chase, no, not that Chase, when I say NASCAR, I mean Brian France) has been looking for scapegoats to explain the nosedive the sport has been experiencing, both in attendance, and TV ratings wise. When he finally acknowledged that the sport had a problem, it was laid to the economy. Fair enough, no denying that it’s been a big factor, but it’s hard to reconcile this with the declining TV numbers, and the loss of the younger demographics that advertisers crave.
At various times the blame has fallen on the slender shoulders of it’s most popular driver. Of course I’m referring to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Brian has publicly laid the blame for the current decline, to his lack of on track success.
His latest foray into scapegoating has been to blame it on Jimmie Johnson.Damn, this guy and the rest of the “48” team have done nothing but gone out and win an unprecedented four consecutive (and counting) championships under the Chase format that Brian has thrust upon us. Granted, this domination has not been popular with a large segment of the fans that NASCAR has left, but he is your champion. To publicly diss him like this seems pretty low rent to me.
All this attempted blame shifting makes me wonder if he shaves with an electric razor? After all, you don’t have to look in the mirror, to use one of them.
Let’s take a look at Brian’s stewardship of NASCAR so far. One of the things that he’s credited with is negotiating the unified, by far, the highest dollar TV contract in the sport’s history. So far so good.The problem I have with this, is that I never really felt this was shared fairly with the owners. If you want a good illustration of this, just compare the payout between your average PGA event, and a Cup race.Then factor in the expenses involved for the competitors, Cup vs. the PGA.
Now with the declining TV numbers, all the TV partners are upside down in their contracts. The number of commercials in a typical broadcast, that fans are complaining about are the TV partners attempt to limit their losses. NASCAR gets to "double dip" in this
financial bonanza through ISC. The well known plumbing adage is not the only thing that runs downhill, and as fans, we seem to always be at the bottom of the hill.
NASCAR was founded in 1948 by Big Bill, otherwise known in the France family as the guy who planted the money tree. It’s 62 years are rich in history and tradition. None of this seems to mean much to Brian. The fledgling series got it’s first paved superspeedway ND first 500 mile race when Darlington held it’s first Southern 500 in 1950. This was NASCAR’s biggest, and most prestigious race, until Daytona opened in ’59. Probably the reason that Daytona became bigger was that it was built and owned by Big Bill. I understand this, but the Southern 500 continued to be it’s longest running and second most prestigious race. That is before Brian tried to kill
the venerable old girl off in 2004, by taking its date, and race and moving it to California.
Darlington was given the Mothers Day date as a replacement. This, after Easter, was considered the least desirable date to have, and until then had always been an open date. The consensus thinking at the time was that date would fail, and allow them to close the place. Well we all know how that turned out. Darlington went from being the track too tough too tame, to the track too tough to kill.
No thanks to NASCAR, but thanks to the fans who rallied to save this historic old track. If I had to pick just one track to see a race,
I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Darlington would win hands down. It’s about as "anti-cookie cutter" as it gets.
His second swipe at tradition, and history, also in 2004, was the Chase. I’ve written enough about this that I really have nothing to add. Brian is stubbornly standing behind this idea, while the TV numbers continue to tank. Nero didn’t have anything on Brian.
One fact is unassailable, when Dale Earnhardt was killed at Daytona in 2001, NASCAR was changed forever. His death brought much needed, and long overdue safety improvements. Improvements that a rash of prior drivers deaths and serious, career-ending injuries had failed to bring. These safety improvements are the best changes that I’ve seen in the time I’ve been following this sport.
That having been said, I’ve hated to see Cup turned into a spec series. I think those making the decisions, and ultimately
that goes back to Brian, failed to appreciate the impact that the "one size fits all" COT would, and has had on the sport.
Both of these changes seem to demonstrate a total disconnect with the fans, due to all the afore mentioned reasons, owners in both of NASCAR’s top series are struggling financially. Race purses have been cut, and at least the Nationwide series, is in for another 20 percent cut for next year. Fair enough, race purses have always been pegged to gate receipts. As I said, I just don’t think the payouts were ever big enough in the first place.
One thing I’d have to give Brian an A+ for is sucking up every last dollar available. I found one list of "Official Products of NASCAR."
It listed 84 products. Some of these are relatively obscure, but some are companies that used to be primary and secondary car sponsors. With teams continuing to fold, and being replaced with the blood sucking start and park teams, this aggressive scrambling for every last dollar seems short-sighted, and counter-productive.
I’m not even sure that all these products get their money’s worth.
For example, one of these official products is New Pig Wipes.
These are super absorbent shop wipes (and yes, I had to look it up). I’ll bet you didn’t know about their shelling out to NASCAR until now, right? Come on Pig guys, pick a car, and get on it! You’re sure to be mentioned on TV. Look what it’s done for Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and the Tire Monkey.
Another thing on his resume, is opening NASCAR offices in New York and L.A. Big whup, we’ve seen what both of these markets think of NASCAR. Cheer up, Brian. California didn’t think much of the Clampetts either. In fact, I expect they class NASCAR, and its fans about the same.
NASCAR reminds me of the geek in high school. Can’t get the girls he wants, and don’t want the ones he can get.
I know they say you can’t go home again, but it looks like some of the places you outgrew are becoming a better fit again. I expect that the TV cameras could show the grandstands at The Rock, without embarrassment. Of course, I’m just pipe dreaming, for NASCAR to return to The Rock, would require eating a heaping helping of crow, a meal NASCAR hasn’t developed a taste for.
Another line item on Mr. France’s resume is the NASCAR Diversity program. As a fan, what exactly does this mean to me? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for diversity, but I believe in the most qualified person having the position, be it a high profile driver, any other position on race teams, or NASCAR itself, for that matter, Wendell Scott managed to make his mark on the sport without any help from Big Bill. In fact, if reports are to be believed, he faced and overcame obstacles from NASCAR itself, as well as promoters and other competitors.
Big kudus to Ned Jarrett for his help of Wendell. My impression of Ned is of a gentleman, both on, and off the track, and this fits right in. When the Mauricia Grant debacle first surfaced, NASCAR’s response was to circle the wagons. This showed just how much work NASCAR has to do in house.
A buzz word in the ’80′s used to be “corporate culture.” The recent flap over recent "secret" driver fines shows me what the corporate culture of NASCAR is from day one, owners were deemed to be "Independent Contractors". The muzzling of owners and drivers seems to belie that. All criticism could be construed as “constructive”…. if it’s true. Expecting something like this to stay "secret" shows a childlike naivety.
The sight of eager fans lining up to spend their money at the teams merchandise trailers must have been more than NASCAR could take. Remember, they already made revenue from these sales through licensing the NASCAR logo, as well as space rental at ISC tracks. That wasn’t enough. So together with Bruton Smith, they formed Motorsports Authentics, which they promptly managed into bankruptcy, costing ISC, SMI, and the teams many millions.
No one single reason for this, but management, or the lack of
it has to be high on anyone’s list. Just plain greed has to be another big reason. The fans aren’t as stupid as some people seem to think. $100-dollar plus die casts, with a one-off paint job seemingly every third race or so. $250 leather jackets, $35 hats. All this stuff, with no secondary market. We just got tired of being ripped off, and quit buying.
I could go on, but what’s the point? The last group to get the finger pointed at them was the media (this was from Tony Stewart, but I wonder if someone pointed him?) I don’t consider myself as media, but as I’m lucky enough to be able to climb on the soapbox
from time to time, let me address this. I want to write "puppy dog and roses pieces," but first, I’ve got to smell the roses, and see the puppy dogs. However, roses have thorns, and puppy dogs spot the carpet.
My advice to NASCAR, is to quit playing the blame game, and look a little closer to home. Most company’s troubles can be traced to poor management decisions. To fix a problem, first you have to recognize what the problems, and the causes are. As a fan, I’m behind you all the way. I want to see the ship righted as much
as anyone. I’m just having trouble working up to much optimism that current management will ever get it right.
If NASCAR really expects to get back on the right side of this, it’s time to man up.
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Another great article about Nascar.I got an offical Nascar Chase television,its button is OFF for the rest of this year,I really don’t care who does what. Penalizing a man and all that for sixty thousands of an inch,splitting hairs in racing sucks and the fans are sick of this manipulating bull,once a car passes the claw for raceday thats it,when the races are over roll them into the trucks and haul out of there ,STOP it all at the first inspection,you win you lose,once thru and pass,run it ,give something back to the ticket buyers to see them run like the old days your rulesmakers have taken all the ingenuity out of the sport and replaced with rules and fines and parts replacers,not mechanics,if they let you run what you brung look out it will be tremendous,but NO , not allowed.Bring back the Rock,N.Wilkesboro,get rid of Atlanta period,put road course at R/A into the chase and you will sell tickets and not hi-dollar jackets and junk.just my opinion.Look at the money they spend going over those cars and engines they take,I bet most of ‘em just lay there for 6 or 8 months then they give them back,like they tore them down,yeah,right!
If they want to complain about declining TV ratings, less than a 1/3 of the races are on broadcast stations, the rest are on cable channels. With the down economy, cable is one thing a lot of families likely cut.
Great article John! As an “old school fan” since 1963, I don’t like the way the sport has changed! The COT, imho, was created to make way for Toyota to enter the sport. Granted, the new car is far safer than the old cars, but the common template has killed any “make” differences. Closing Rockingham and N. Wilkesboro and even Darlington for awhile was another blow to loyal fans. The mid-season rule changes, the contrived caution flags and the “Chase” can all be blamed for the failing popularity of Nascar! The problem is, these are all things that are evidently here to stay as long as Brian France, Mike Helton and Robin Pemberton are involved! It sure would be great to be able to turn back time and see a race with Fords, Chevrolets, Dodges, Plymouths, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, Mercurys and even the occasional Matador, without having to watch “spec.” cars and Toyotas!
Want to get fans back? Improve the racing and force drivers to try to win races by giving more points for winning. Plain and simple. The races are horrible everywhere and the points racing makes it even worse.
Get rid of the 2 races at Pocono and put Bristol back to the way it use to be. I had been going to Bristol since 1973
when I was 10 years old. Grew up an hour from the track in Virginia.
I gave up me season tickets after 2005. $135 for a single Cup ticket I thought was just crazy. Pocono is and always will be boring. I also think the time for the race at Indy has come and gone. The problem is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. I am so glad I sold off my 1/24 diecast collection before the big crash. Only a fool would buy those things today.
Is there a France inline to replace this out of control dictator?
, I just read this over on Frontstretch, by Matt McLaughlin.
“Clint Bowyer probably sent Mark Martin dinner after Martin’s car was disqualified after qualifying for Dover. At least it deflected some negative attention away from the RCR team. Martin’s car was found to have rear shocks with illegally high internal pressures. So, what’s going on? Apparently, the trick to making the car of sorrow handle better is to get the back of the car up further in the air so the rear spoiler is in clean air. To do this during the race some teams, most notably the Hendrick cars that have been dominant over the last few years, are using trick rear shocks. When cold, as in pre-race inspections, the car sits at a legal height. As the shocks heat up during an event the gas within them expands, raising the rear ride height. The car might not pass the height stick test immediately after the race, but given a half-hour to cool off at rest the gas contracts and the car returns to legal height. Apparently, some other teams figured out what HMS was doing and have tried to mimic it. Now, some are getting caught. It’s the same deal as back in the ’90s when first Harry Gant, then Bill Elliott’s Junior Johnson-equipped team figured out the advantage of camber on the rear wheels. Once the secret was out, NASCAR banned it.”
Someone commented the following, “Isn’t it logical to think that the shocks on Mark’s car are on Johnson’s? I guess we’ll never know for sure. I guess they’ll let Johnson’s car settle before they measure it.”
Last week someone posted that, “No sane person ever believes any Hendrick car is legal.” To which I replied, “Junior’s is. :)”
Brian wants to blame Jr.. If he wants that status quo changed then he needs to skim a little of the money out of his ‘liquid refreshment’ budget & get Jr. out of HMS, because I believe that Rick is not ever going to allow Jr. to be competitive as long as he can stop it, while wringing every ounce of life and penny that he can out of him.
Okay, at the guy that complained about Atlanta. Take out Michigan, boring racing, strung out. Take out Watkins Glen and Sonoma. Bring Hickory Motor Speedway in. Bring the Rock and Wilkesboro back. Kill Chicagoland. Boring, cookie cutter, kill California…put them on the old Disneyworld Speedway. Build another short track, build another SUPERspeedway…not a speedway. Cut the Chase and add the exhibition races in other countries again. I applaude Nascar for allowing Harvick to show that B**** Hamlin what was really going on (like he used to do before Nascar fined him). Bring back the days of MANUFACTURER designed cars, not these generic stickers we see. Add the length back to the races and stop with the hyped TV coverage and sponsor plugs.
WHY NOT THROW THE CHASE IN THE CAN ,AND USE A SYSTEM OF MOST POLES WON . MOST LAPS LED [YELLOW FLAG LAPS WOULD NOT COUNT ] , MOST MONEY WON , AND MOST RACES WON ? WEIGH EACH PART AS A CERTAIN % , STROKING WOULD NOT BE OF ANY USE . CUT THE STARTIG FIELD TO ABOUT 36 CARS .
JC, great article, you hit the nail on the head. Leonard, I agree with you on the inspection issues. Brian reminds me of the idiot in the white house, “Blame everybody nut me” for why the sport keeps going down hill. As I have posted before, scrape the chase, get out of the nascar furnished parts business, let the manufacturer build the car that they want to race, just ad the safety equipt. I personally do not want any additional points awarded other than the normal win system. It keeps the point system close 98% of the time. It makes the driver reach deep for every golden point to win a championship. Finally add a couple of Dirt tracks, even if they have to run them in the middle of the week like they did when Big Bill was in charge.
With the down economy, cable is one thing a lot of families likely cut. I have been without since 2006. For some reason I keep getting terminated from employers. Everytime I get close to become a manager, I get cut out of the way. I wish Obama would do his job and give the unemployed jobs and look and resumes. This year and an half without one has drove me to the breaking point.
Get rid of Brian france,Get rid of Brian france,Get rid of Brian France,get rid of Brian France
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