NASCAR Rant

[catchacab]

Chris,

"Stock Car" racing has changed.  I remember fondly watching the races on TV, when the cars on the track were or at least resembled what you can buy in the Showroom.  Driving in circles can be boring, where the excitement comes in is from the passing, and you don't even need a point by.  This is one of the reasons F1 hasn't been popular recently in the US.  The lack of passing is a major issue in F1 (and there are many reasons for this issue, too lengthy to be discussed in this post).  We can't deny the skills of the NASCAR drivers and the level of competition.  Many NASCAR drivers drove various dirt/asphalt/midgets/carts etc, and many drive Rolex/GA (Vive la France).  If the F1 drivers are so far superior to NASCAR, why is Montoya doing so poorly?

Road Racing is a tough sell in the US, the crowd at the race only get to see a small portion of the race (unlike the ovals), the manufacturers involved in RR generally don't cater to racing fans.  The majority of Porsche owners (note, I did not say PCA members) would more likely be more comfortable going to the ballet than to the Glen.  Also, many of those who drive cars from manufacturers who compete in RR, aren't interested in spending 38 Sundays watching the sport, they are busy living their life, or in Philadelphia watchin the IGGLES during a dozen of the races.  If the BIG THREE would heavily participate, support and market RR, it would increase interest.

NASCAR has gone corporate.  Every commercial during a race has at least one driver as a spokesman.  It is important to the racing teams to develop a good spokesman or face as well as a driver.

RR has generally not developed or promoted the drivers marketability well enough to make the drivers house hold names.  How many NASCAR drivers can your next door neighbor name?  It is all marketing.  But then, what happens when RR becomes corporate? Do you really want what you wish for?

It can be dangerous when you go corporate.  Work for some Bahamian Insurance Company, wear a suit (or at least own one, or maybe be able to borrow one from a friend).  One never knows what will come forth from the corporate mouth piece.