| meebs | 05-19-2002 10:39 PM |
statistics
[quote]all pretty funny when the statistics show that the average nascar fan earns over 70K per year and has a college education.
[/quote]
Do you have a source there?
[/quote]
Do you have a source there?
| DDub | 05-20-2002 03:00 PM |
Average NASCAR Fan
Opie wrote: (right before he conveniently closed the thread)
So speedchannel makes a mistake and now it's the fault of the nascar fans. Does a whole lot of good calling them names...rednecks, hillbilly's...all pretty funny when the statistics show that the average nascar fan earns over 70K per year and has a college education.
Uh, please provide the source for this information on the 'average nascar fan'. I am curious as to where this information was gotten.
Thanks, doug
So speedchannel makes a mistake and now it's the fault of the nascar fans. Does a whole lot of good calling them names...rednecks, hillbilly's...all pretty funny when the statistics show that the average nascar fan earns over 70K per year and has a college education.
Uh, please provide the source for this information on the 'average nascar fan'. I am curious as to where this information was gotten.
Thanks, doug
| Orion | 05-20-2002 03:29 PM |
i don't make $70k, but i fit the rest of the description.
i'm a little tired of the nascar hating that goes on around here.
my advice to the haters: just ignore it.
it's not gonna go away anytime soon. if you let it get to you, it's your own fault. use the remote to change the channel.
Yes, I was angered by the bump in the time slot and the annoying re-cap of the race that had just finished. I'm not gonna go to a Subaru board and rip on Bubba to correct the problem though.
i'm a little tired of the nascar hating that goes on around here.
my advice to the haters: just ignore it.
it's not gonna go away anytime soon. if you let it get to you, it's your own fault. use the remote to change the channel.
Yes, I was angered by the bump in the time slot and the annoying re-cap of the race that had just finished. I'm not gonna go to a Subaru board and rip on Bubba to correct the problem though.
| Red-Impreza | 05-20-2002 04:13 PM |
[QUOTE]my advice to the haters: just ignore it. [/QUOTE]
Well, I'm not a NASCAR hater yet, but I'm warming up to it. Just ignore it is terrible advise. If we don't raise enough of a stink, NASCAR will just roll over us and we'll have nothing else to watch. The recent Speed TV screwups are perfect examples.
Personally, I don't blame rednecks, I blame the network suits. I have far more respect for an honest redneck then I do for a double-talking stuffed shirt. I'm probably somewhere in the middle myself, but I've got friends (and a few relatives) who qualify for each.
In any event, we're working up quite a mob here and we're about to storm the Fox gates. So, are you with us or against us? If you're with us grab a torch and a pitch fork!
Well, I'm not a NASCAR hater yet, but I'm warming up to it. Just ignore it is terrible advise. If we don't raise enough of a stink, NASCAR will just roll over us and we'll have nothing else to watch. The recent Speed TV screwups are perfect examples.
Personally, I don't blame rednecks, I blame the network suits. I have far more respect for an honest redneck then I do for a double-talking stuffed shirt. I'm probably somewhere in the middle myself, but I've got friends (and a few relatives) who qualify for each.
In any event, we're working up quite a mob here and we're about to storm the Fox gates. So, are you with us or against us? If you're with us grab a torch and a pitch fork!
| travmn | 05-20-2002 04:18 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Red-Imp [/i]
[B] Personally, I don't blame rednecks, I blame the network suits. I have far more respect for an honest redneck then I do for a double-talking stuffed shirt. I'm probably somewhere in the middle myself, but I've got friends (and a few relatives) who qualify for each.
[/B][/QUOTE]
yup, it's the commonly ridiculed network management. they are poor decisions. i can understand program delays. that happens a lot almost anywhere you go (channel wise). i'd rather have a delay, then blatant program interruptions. when a scheduled program is interrupted for less than important news, it should not be interrupted. my absolute FAVORITE is when I've watched hockey games on fox sports net and there are BLATANT COMMERCIAL INTERRUPTIONS (not normal interruptions) during the last 5 minutes of regulation time. We're talking anything from a single commercial, to a blatant Fox advertising spot, to a full set of inappropriately scheduled commercial time. watch the games on ESPN or ABC, just don't happen like that. Fox has earned a reputation with me of poor management, and continuously leave me disappointed.
[B] Personally, I don't blame rednecks, I blame the network suits. I have far more respect for an honest redneck then I do for a double-talking stuffed shirt. I'm probably somewhere in the middle myself, but I've got friends (and a few relatives) who qualify for each.
[/B][/QUOTE]
yup, it's the commonly ridiculed network management. they are poor decisions. i can understand program delays. that happens a lot almost anywhere you go (channel wise). i'd rather have a delay, then blatant program interruptions. when a scheduled program is interrupted for less than important news, it should not be interrupted. my absolute FAVORITE is when I've watched hockey games on fox sports net and there are BLATANT COMMERCIAL INTERRUPTIONS (not normal interruptions) during the last 5 minutes of regulation time. We're talking anything from a single commercial, to a blatant Fox advertising spot, to a full set of inappropriately scheduled commercial time. watch the games on ESPN or ABC, just don't happen like that. Fox has earned a reputation with me of poor management, and continuously leave me disappointed.
| Thug | 05-20-2002 04:35 PM |
This is funny. You get more fired up about a 30 minute delay in a silly pre-recorded race then you would about something like a presidential election. You guys make me laugh. :lol:
| nogger | 05-20-2002 04:49 PM |
[QUOTE][i]it's not gonna go away anytime soon. [/B][/QUOTE]
Thats quite unfortunate.
Thats quite unfortunate.
| nogger | 05-20-2002 04:54 PM |
If people at the chicken plant make 70K a year and have a college education, then maybe the statistics are right. Otherwise, I dont believe them until I see some proof.
| johnfelstead | 05-20-2002 05:40 PM |
i wouldnt be surprised if thats the average income for the race goers. Have you seen the size of the motorhomes those guys take to the race! :eek:
When i lived in Atlanta everyone on the subdivision where i lived were big NASCAR fans, they were all loaded.
I was amazed at what people earned in that area at the time, one of my mates was a fork lift truck driver and she earned $35K back in 93. She was one of the lowest paid on the subdivision, my neibour had 2 businesses and earned well over $150K.
I used to go to the local 1/4 mile oval out at Lake Lanier on a friday night and sit on the tailgate of his cherokee drinking beer watching the local good ole boys knock ten bells of **** out of each other, that was fun. :D
I soon discovered Road Atlanta on the other side of the road though! Now that is a fabulous track. :D
When i lived in Atlanta everyone on the subdivision where i lived were big NASCAR fans, they were all loaded.
I was amazed at what people earned in that area at the time, one of my mates was a fork lift truck driver and she earned $35K back in 93. She was one of the lowest paid on the subdivision, my neibour had 2 businesses and earned well over $150K.
I used to go to the local 1/4 mile oval out at Lake Lanier on a friday night and sit on the tailgate of his cherokee drinking beer watching the local good ole boys knock ten bells of **** out of each other, that was fun. :D
I soon discovered Road Atlanta on the other side of the road though! Now that is a fabulous track. :D
| DDub | 05-20-2002 06:00 PM |
Thanks all for trying to hijack this thread :p :D. Note that this is not a continuation of the thread that has already been closed. This is a request for information regarding the 'average NASCAR fan' as put forth by Opie.
Claim: the 'average NASCAR fan' makes $70k and has a college education.
Please support or rebut this with reputable data sources if possible. I tried to find info on this but haven't been able to. I assume Opie has a good source since he was the one to make this claim.
Claim: the 'average NASCAR fan' makes $70k and has a college education.
Please support or rebut this with reputable data sources if possible. I tried to find info on this but haven't been able to. I assume Opie has a good source since he was the one to make this claim.
| DDub | 05-20-2002 06:37 PM |
Meebs, I had the same reaction: :rolleyes: . See my exact same thread titled 'Average NASCAR fan' :D
| grandpa rex | 05-20-2002 07:34 PM |
Back in the days when Woodward and Bernstein were trying to fry Nixon, there was a character known as "deep throat" who consistently provided leads to W&B and the Washington Post. To this day, his name is unknown.
However, his counsel was always "Follow the money."
I invite anyone who thinks that NASCAR is for toothless goobers to look at the names of the sponsors on the cars. We're talking Fortune 500. Hell, we're talking fortune 100. The sponsors are incredibly sophisticated marketers who spend millions to target the audiences for their advertising. (Of course, the same can be said of the sponsors of F1.)
Now, I'm not talking Neiman Marcus, but I'm talking R.J. Reynolds, Procter and Gamble, Home Depot, Target Stores, Mobil 1, Cingular Wireless, Lowe's, Kelloggs, UPS, Coca Cola, and more. These are outstanding brands and consumer franchises. Having worked with senior level people at companies of this ilk, I can assure anyone that any decision to spend that kind of marketing $$ is highly considered. They know that they are buying a huge audience with a huge disposable income.
Those among us may or may not like NASCAR racing. It doesn't really matter. Right now NASCAR is incredibly popular and marketers are spending huge $$ to get that audience.
And, in the final analysis, these guys are not going to spend that kind of money for a bunch of toothless goobers with no money.
However, his counsel was always "Follow the money."
I invite anyone who thinks that NASCAR is for toothless goobers to look at the names of the sponsors on the cars. We're talking Fortune 500. Hell, we're talking fortune 100. The sponsors are incredibly sophisticated marketers who spend millions to target the audiences for their advertising. (Of course, the same can be said of the sponsors of F1.)
Now, I'm not talking Neiman Marcus, but I'm talking R.J. Reynolds, Procter and Gamble, Home Depot, Target Stores, Mobil 1, Cingular Wireless, Lowe's, Kelloggs, UPS, Coca Cola, and more. These are outstanding brands and consumer franchises. Having worked with senior level people at companies of this ilk, I can assure anyone that any decision to spend that kind of marketing $$ is highly considered. They know that they are buying a huge audience with a huge disposable income.
Those among us may or may not like NASCAR racing. It doesn't really matter. Right now NASCAR is incredibly popular and marketers are spending huge $$ to get that audience.
And, in the final analysis, these guys are not going to spend that kind of money for a bunch of toothless goobers with no money.
| romanom | 05-20-2002 07:53 PM |
I somewhat agree with grandpa rex. Nascar fans are not toothless morons who dig ditches for a living.
I know lots of big Nascar fans, many who know nothing about CART, F1, WRC or sportscar racing. Why do they like Nascar? Because it's entertainment, they know little about the techinical side of the sport. It's a very simple sport, they go around in circles and who ever finishes first wins. And on occcassion they see a cool wreck.
Road/Rally racing is a difficult sport to watch and even harder to understand sometimes.
Now many NASCAR fans are very informed on racing, but a large part watch it for the same reason they watch Pro wrestling and it's those that have pushed NASCAR to such high TV ratings.
Even the Romans had oval, door-to-door, bumper banging racing....The Chariot Races where very popular 1800 year ago (of course then it was wheel to wheel and horse nose to driver's ass).
Me personally, I don't get it. I do like the two raod races they have though.
I know lots of big Nascar fans, many who know nothing about CART, F1, WRC or sportscar racing. Why do they like Nascar? Because it's entertainment, they know little about the techinical side of the sport. It's a very simple sport, they go around in circles and who ever finishes first wins. And on occcassion they see a cool wreck.
Road/Rally racing is a difficult sport to watch and even harder to understand sometimes.
Now many NASCAR fans are very informed on racing, but a large part watch it for the same reason they watch Pro wrestling and it's those that have pushed NASCAR to such high TV ratings.
Even the Romans had oval, door-to-door, bumper banging racing....The Chariot Races where very popular 1800 year ago (of course then it was wheel to wheel and horse nose to driver's ass).
Me personally, I don't get it. I do like the two raod races they have though.
| meebs | 05-20-2002 08:56 PM |
[quote]yup, it's the commonly ridiculed network management. they are poor decisions. i can understand program delays.[/quote]
Yes, this was precicely the whole point of the other thread, really. Again, there is little point in interrupting a taped broadcast... save, major world/local news.. an emergency? Yeah, I can understand that... I would hardly equate NASCAR highlights an emergency.. but that's just me. :D
Yes Nascar is big and not going anywhere... but do you ever look at something and just smack your head and go...I don't get it. But the formula DOES appeal to the masses... of which most don't get the speedchannel. :) It just seems that Speedchanel kind of forgot that they were a niche channel (something that no network wants to be) and they have certainly lost their charm with me. Really, Nascar ratings are at their highest, I'm sure, when it's broadcast on the network channels.
Yes, this was precicely the whole point of the other thread, really. Again, there is little point in interrupting a taped broadcast... save, major world/local news.. an emergency? Yeah, I can understand that... I would hardly equate NASCAR highlights an emergency.. but that's just me. :D
Yes Nascar is big and not going anywhere... but do you ever look at something and just smack your head and go...I don't get it. But the formula DOES appeal to the masses... of which most don't get the speedchannel. :) It just seems that Speedchanel kind of forgot that they were a niche channel (something that no network wants to be) and they have certainly lost their charm with me. Really, Nascar ratings are at their highest, I'm sure, when it's broadcast on the network channels.
| WRSport | 05-20-2002 09:14 PM |
"But the formula DOES appeal to the masses... of which most don't get the speedchannel."
See thats what gets me is that actual NASCAR FANS are complaining that they don't have speedchannel. Why did Fox have to screw up speedvision so bad. For the last 6 years I have had Speedvision on my TV for many hours per day. Since the change over to speedchannel and the NASCAR emphasis, I'm tuned to their channel less and less everyday. Fox blows and they sure f888cked this one up....My two cents.
See thats what gets me is that actual NASCAR FANS are complaining that they don't have speedchannel. Why did Fox have to screw up speedvision so bad. For the last 6 years I have had Speedvision on my TV for many hours per day. Since the change over to speedchannel and the NASCAR emphasis, I'm tuned to their channel less and less everyday. Fox blows and they sure f888cked this one up....My two cents.
| Opie | 05-20-2002 10:28 PM |
No, no source there as I was shooting that all from the hip, but since your trying to put me on the spot: [url]http://www.hire-speed.com/web/nascardemos.htm[/url]
Sorry it took so long...but I'm on vacation, just dialed in on the laptop from the hotel.
Sorry it took so long...but I'm on vacation, just dialed in on the laptop from the hotel.
| Kostamojen | 05-21-2002 02:26 AM |
Arent those the same statistics for the average Subaru owner?
$70k a year and a college education?
$70k a year and a college education?
| Eric SS | 05-21-2002 02:35 AM |
Well, I only make about $50k a year but have a college education and love NASCAR so I must be at the lower end of the totem pole :rolleyes: I like the comment that someone made about all the motorhomes there are at NASCAR races. those things cost more than about 95% of i-club members houses. upwards of $500,000!!!
I love how everyone loves to generalize NASCAR fans. I live in Phoenix, was raised in Hawaii, and born in Puerto Rico but grew up watching NASCAR. I still watch it every sunday religiously. I'm very far from a hick.
I hate these stupid arguments here because everyone here likes some form of motorsports. I also love FIA rally.
Eric
PS: If you want to generalize, let;s talk about how Rally fans are so GOD DAMN stupid that they stand right next to the damn road and risk getting killed by a car. at least the dumb NASCAR hicks are behind a fence :rolleyes:
I love how everyone loves to generalize NASCAR fans. I live in Phoenix, was raised in Hawaii, and born in Puerto Rico but grew up watching NASCAR. I still watch it every sunday religiously. I'm very far from a hick.
I hate these stupid arguments here because everyone here likes some form of motorsports. I also love FIA rally.
Eric
PS: If you want to generalize, let;s talk about how Rally fans are so GOD DAMN stupid that they stand right next to the damn road and risk getting killed by a car. at least the dumb NASCAR hicks are behind a fence :rolleyes:
| XT6Wagon | 05-21-2002 02:41 AM |
How is the Speedchanel screwed up???
Pull your god damn head out people, all they did was remove all the BS programs that were filler and added more auto racing of all kinds. I have a feeling that a good many people here are far more Anti-NASCAR than they are pro anything. You get MORE Rally, and MORE F1 yet you still bitch and moan?? It now also has a backer with MONEY, so more people will actualy have ACESS to the channel, as Fox brings pressure on cable companies.
Oh, and atleast Nascar isn't a oval only series, with a talent pool so shallow the best loose to the worst in other series. You know what I am talking about, its a series where massive downforce and no power remove the driver almost entirely as a factor in the winner. Its only saving grace is its cheap to field a team, so its cheap to sponser.
Pull your god damn head out people, all they did was remove all the BS programs that were filler and added more auto racing of all kinds. I have a feeling that a good many people here are far more Anti-NASCAR than they are pro anything. You get MORE Rally, and MORE F1 yet you still bitch and moan?? It now also has a backer with MONEY, so more people will actualy have ACESS to the channel, as Fox brings pressure on cable companies.
Oh, and atleast Nascar isn't a oval only series, with a talent pool so shallow the best loose to the worst in other series. You know what I am talking about, its a series where massive downforce and no power remove the driver almost entirely as a factor in the winner. Its only saving grace is its cheap to field a team, so its cheap to sponser.
| Thug | 05-21-2002 07:52 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by WRSport [/i]
[B]"But the formula DOES appeal to the masses... of which most don't get the speedchannel."
See thats what gets me is that actual NASCAR FANS are complaining that they don't have speedchannel. Why did Fox have to screw up speedvision so bad. For the last 6 years I have had Speedvision on my TV for many hours per day. Since the change over to speedchannel and the NASCAR emphasis, I'm tuned to their channel less and less everyday. Fox blows and they sure f888cked this one up....My two cents. [/B][/QUOTE]
How can you say this? We get more quality racing then we ever got when it was Speedvision. The only time I ever watched Speedvision was for the 1 hour of rally we got every 3-4 weeks. And the year before that it was only a half hour of rally coverage. Oh, and the year before that not only did we only get a half hour of WRC coverage per rally, [b]but we got it anywhere between 3 and 6 months after the rally happened![/b] Now we get [b]4 hours[/b] of coverage [b]on the same day of the rally[/b] and you people complain? P-a-t-h-e-t-i-c! Get a life please. And not only all the above, but since it's changed over to SpeedChannel we dont get any stupid boat or plane shows. Those were 10 times worse than Nascar. Atleast Nascar has crashes to keep it interesting.
[B]"But the formula DOES appeal to the masses... of which most don't get the speedchannel."
See thats what gets me is that actual NASCAR FANS are complaining that they don't have speedchannel. Why did Fox have to screw up speedvision so bad. For the last 6 years I have had Speedvision on my TV for many hours per day. Since the change over to speedchannel and the NASCAR emphasis, I'm tuned to their channel less and less everyday. Fox blows and they sure f888cked this one up....My two cents. [/B][/QUOTE]
How can you say this? We get more quality racing then we ever got when it was Speedvision. The only time I ever watched Speedvision was for the 1 hour of rally we got every 3-4 weeks. And the year before that it was only a half hour of rally coverage. Oh, and the year before that not only did we only get a half hour of WRC coverage per rally, [b]but we got it anywhere between 3 and 6 months after the rally happened![/b] Now we get [b]4 hours[/b] of coverage [b]on the same day of the rally[/b] and you people complain? P-a-t-h-e-t-i-c! Get a life please. And not only all the above, but since it's changed over to SpeedChannel we dont get any stupid boat or plane shows. Those were 10 times worse than Nascar. Atleast Nascar has crashes to keep it interesting.
| Rattler | 05-21-2002 09:01 AM |
Well, I think this can run some of that downhill. I think its kinda Darwin's Theory.
[url]http://espn.go.com/rpm/2002/0520/1384704.html[/url]
[url]http://espn.go.com/rpm/2002/0520/1384704.html[/url]
| Thug | 05-21-2002 09:45 AM |
And rally fans stand around blind corners when cars come at them at over 100 mph. So what's your point?
| grandpa rex | 05-21-2002 09:46 AM |
I'll weigh in once again on several issues:
Speedvision is one of several Fox channels. If you watch what they do, they shift NASCAR coverage across all of their brands. Fox Sports gets some FX gets some, regular Fox gets some, and Speedvision gets some. Let's face it, the more subscribers Speedvision has, the more $$ Murdoch makes. Planes and boats weren't bring viewers to the table. WRC, F1, etc. were.
So what do we have now. Same day WRC coverage. Live coverage of F1 practice, qualifying and races. Last week I watched "Legends of Motorsport" where Alain Decadanet (sp?)drove a series of vintage Ferraris. On a subsequent show he drove vintage Porsches. Boats and planes? Keep 'em. I like what Speedvision has now. Who showed 12 hours of Sebring? Who will show 24 hours of LeMans? Hell, they even show replays of the outstanding CART broadcasts.
Regarding the NASCAR coverage, I admit I'm not much for watching the 1983 Bristol Food city 500 for the umteenth time. However, considering I could be watching some guy sand the bottom of his boat, it's still better than that.
Now, I admit that I looked down my nose at NASCAR for years. Low tech cars and goober drivers, right? Well, a friend and I decided to check it out for ourselves and went to a race at Charlotte (now Lowe's). We bought seats late and were actually in the first row as the cars entered the tri-oval. When 43 cars came through that turn at full speed on the first couple of laps, It was one of the most awesome displays I have ever seen. Great V8 sounds, great smells of rubber, gasoline and brakes, and 43 guys doing 180+mph a few inches from each other. It scared the sh** out of me, and I became a fan that instant.
I watch every F1 qualifying and race as if my life depended on it. I have been to Indy once and Montreal 9 times. On a trip to Europe one January, I rented a car and drove to Monza, just to see the track.
When NASCAR is on, I'll watch assuming I have nothing better to do. Some races I will pointedly watch: Daytona and the Bristol races. However, compared to sticks and balls, planes and boats, give me motor racing. And while NASCAR is a far cry from F1 and WRC, it is still a spectacle and has some very talented competitors.
BTW: in terms of demographics: I have a household income in excess of 100k, I am a graduate of an Ivy league university and have worked at an executive level most of my career. And, I still have most of my teeth and have never had sex with my sister.
Speedvision is one of several Fox channels. If you watch what they do, they shift NASCAR coverage across all of their brands. Fox Sports gets some FX gets some, regular Fox gets some, and Speedvision gets some. Let's face it, the more subscribers Speedvision has, the more $$ Murdoch makes. Planes and boats weren't bring viewers to the table. WRC, F1, etc. were.
So what do we have now. Same day WRC coverage. Live coverage of F1 practice, qualifying and races. Last week I watched "Legends of Motorsport" where Alain Decadanet (sp?)drove a series of vintage Ferraris. On a subsequent show he drove vintage Porsches. Boats and planes? Keep 'em. I like what Speedvision has now. Who showed 12 hours of Sebring? Who will show 24 hours of LeMans? Hell, they even show replays of the outstanding CART broadcasts.
Regarding the NASCAR coverage, I admit I'm not much for watching the 1983 Bristol Food city 500 for the umteenth time. However, considering I could be watching some guy sand the bottom of his boat, it's still better than that.
Now, I admit that I looked down my nose at NASCAR for years. Low tech cars and goober drivers, right? Well, a friend and I decided to check it out for ourselves and went to a race at Charlotte (now Lowe's). We bought seats late and were actually in the first row as the cars entered the tri-oval. When 43 cars came through that turn at full speed on the first couple of laps, It was one of the most awesome displays I have ever seen. Great V8 sounds, great smells of rubber, gasoline and brakes, and 43 guys doing 180+mph a few inches from each other. It scared the sh** out of me, and I became a fan that instant.
I watch every F1 qualifying and race as if my life depended on it. I have been to Indy once and Montreal 9 times. On a trip to Europe one January, I rented a car and drove to Monza, just to see the track.
When NASCAR is on, I'll watch assuming I have nothing better to do. Some races I will pointedly watch: Daytona and the Bristol races. However, compared to sticks and balls, planes and boats, give me motor racing. And while NASCAR is a far cry from F1 and WRC, it is still a spectacle and has some very talented competitors.
BTW: in terms of demographics: I have a household income in excess of 100k, I am a graduate of an Ivy league university and have worked at an executive level most of my career. And, I still have most of my teeth and have never had sex with my sister.
| Rattler | 05-21-2002 10:11 AM |
I don't know what it is like where everyone else lives but there is one of those [email protected] #3 stickers on the back of everything around here.
I got my old boss soooo mad when I told him about the Road & Track article where they basically said NASCAR doesn't really care about the well-being of their drivers due to their points system. Build it strong so we can patch it up, send it back out and "git sum points". I couldn't find a link to it at their website unfortunately. It was in a couple months ago. They listed how many drivers have been killed racing or practicing too. I guess open-wheel has the big danger of the wheels flying off and going into the crowds like happened at MIS here a few years ago too.
If had my choice of taking a crash in an open-wheel or NASCAR at speed, it would be a tough call. Although Alex Zanardi is showing some major courage with his incident, it doesn't make me feel any safer to be in an open-wheel. Then again, how many NASCAR wrecks have you seen that were 10x more dangerous looking than Dale's?
I got my old boss soooo mad when I told him about the Road & Track article where they basically said NASCAR doesn't really care about the well-being of their drivers due to their points system. Build it strong so we can patch it up, send it back out and "git sum points". I couldn't find a link to it at their website unfortunately. It was in a couple months ago. They listed how many drivers have been killed racing or practicing too. I guess open-wheel has the big danger of the wheels flying off and going into the crowds like happened at MIS here a few years ago too.
If had my choice of taking a crash in an open-wheel or NASCAR at speed, it would be a tough call. Although Alex Zanardi is showing some major courage with his incident, it doesn't make me feel any safer to be in an open-wheel. Then again, how many NASCAR wrecks have you seen that were 10x more dangerous looking than Dale's?
| NoSubee | 05-21-2002 11:35 AM |
OK, Speed has arguably "cut out the fat" of its programming by getting rid of boats & planes, but they went a little heavy on the NASCAR. Hey, the rally coverage is improved ten-fold. But as long as we're broadcasting old races, how about some classic Senna drives? It just seems like every program that they killed got replaced with stock car racing almost without exception. I think most of us are just looking for a happy medium.
| DDub | 05-21-2002 12:58 PM |
the Answer about avg NASCAR fan
Ok, here is the answer (thank opie for the link, good site)
the 'average NASCAR fan' according to Firestone Langhorne Sports Marketing is...
Male
High School Graduate
has a household income of 30-50k /year
Married
Owns his own house
is aged 35-44
works full time as a retiree/other ;)
and is loyal as heck to the NASCAR brand (hence the $$)
Just because sponsors put money in to it does not mean they are only targeting wealthy viewers. Millions of viewers make up for the fact that they are marketing a $5 box of tide or a $10 can of dupont paint.
Want more info, follow the link in Opie's post
the 'average NASCAR fan' according to Firestone Langhorne Sports Marketing is...
Male
High School Graduate
has a household income of 30-50k /year
Married
Owns his own house
is aged 35-44
works full time as a retiree/other ;)
and is loyal as heck to the NASCAR brand (hence the $$)
Just because sponsors put money in to it does not mean they are only targeting wealthy viewers. Millions of viewers make up for the fact that they are marketing a $5 box of tide or a $10 can of dupont paint.
Want more info, follow the link in Opie's post
| Jon Bogert | 05-21-2002 01:14 PM |
Hmm, 30-50K...
Then you add the 15K his wife makes waitressing at the local truck stop and the 12K his live-at-home 20-something son makes doing "odd jobs" (less what he spends on 40s and crank) and you're right there around $70k! :lol:
Then you add the 15K his wife makes waitressing at the local truck stop and the 12K his live-at-home 20-something son makes doing "odd jobs" (less what he spends on 40s and crank) and you're right there around $70k! :lol:
| DDub | 05-21-2002 01:29 PM |
Survey sez???
BZZZZZ
Sorry Jon, that's Household income :p
So 'mr fan' is probably making 15k, wife making 15k and son making 0-20k depending on his vices ;)
BZZZZZ
Sorry Jon, that's Household income :p
So 'mr fan' is probably making 15k, wife making 15k and son making 0-20k depending on his vices ;)
| Jon Bogert | 05-21-2002 01:39 PM |
Oh yeah--my mistake. :)
But I forgot the teenage daughter's income from that "bar" where she works a couple evenings a week. :cool:
But I forgot the teenage daughter's income from that "bar" where she works a couple evenings a week. :cool:
| Thug | 05-21-2002 01:41 PM |
Still not much point to those stats though. You could probably say almost the same for the average football fan.
| tekriter | 05-21-2002 02:34 PM |
NASCAR is toilet bowl racing. Round and round and only left. The reality is the popularity and the sport itself is a product of the sponsorships. It's the WWF of the motorsports world. The cars are nothing like real cars and it is the most technologically retro of all the motorsports. Racing is suppsed to improve the breed.
Rally racing, however is "real cars on real roads, real fast". Most of us here are probably rally fans. Rally racing is all about driving skills, not traffic skills or pit stop strategy. The cars are prepped from real cars and any of us can build one in the garage with a little brains and $$.
Res Ipsa Loquitur.
Rally racing, however is "real cars on real roads, real fast". Most of us here are probably rally fans. Rally racing is all about driving skills, not traffic skills or pit stop strategy. The cars are prepped from real cars and any of us can build one in the garage with a little brains and $$.
Res Ipsa Loquitur.
| Thug | 05-21-2002 02:40 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by tekriter [/i]
[B]
Rally racing, however is "real cars on real roads, real fast". Most of us here are probably rally fans. Rally racing is all about driving skills, not traffic skills or pit stop strategy. The cars are prepped from real cars and any of us can build one in the garage with a little brains and $$.
Res Ipsa Loquitur. [/B][/QUOTE]
Not WRC. Aside from a similar look the WRC cars hardly share a single bolt with their respective road going versions.
[B]
Rally racing, however is "real cars on real roads, real fast". Most of us here are probably rally fans. Rally racing is all about driving skills, not traffic skills or pit stop strategy. The cars are prepped from real cars and any of us can build one in the garage with a little brains and $$.
Res Ipsa Loquitur. [/B][/QUOTE]
Not WRC. Aside from a similar look the WRC cars hardly share a single bolt with their respective road going versions.
| Rattler | 05-21-2002 03:05 PM |
The good thing about it if you are a NASCRAP fan is you get to hold that can of Busch Light up in the air every time your driver goes by and bellow out a nice loud WOOHOO!! or YEEHAA!! Us rally fans don't get that privlege.:mad: :lol:
I was going to post something about that. Then I figured someone would just bring up the fact that we can't get Skodas, Citreons, etc. Let alone an AWD turbocharged version. I know you can't get a 2 door Taurus either though. I know my car has a lot more in common with Tommi's than my neighbors' Taurus does with, well, I don't know/care who drives a Ford in NASCAR.
[b]REMOVED BY MODERATOR[/b]
I was going to post something about that. Then I figured someone would just bring up the fact that we can't get Skodas, Citreons, etc. Let alone an AWD turbocharged version. I know you can't get a 2 door Taurus either though. I know my car has a lot more in common with Tommi's than my neighbors' Taurus does with, well, I don't know/care who drives a Ford in NASCAR.
[b]REMOVED BY MODERATOR[/b]
| Opie | 05-21-2002 03:24 PM |
You know, some of you are as ignorant as you are arogant. No one said you [b]have[/b] to like NASCAR, but you surely don't have to be an ass towards the people that do. Not everyone likes F1, not everyone likes WRC, and surprisingly not everyone likes NASCAR, but all three exist so deal with it.
And Rattler, you would get the same reaction with that bumper sticker that F1 fans would give if they saw a sticker that made fun of Zanardi's injuries...it's in poor taste and isn't welcome here.
And Rattler, you would get the same reaction with that bumper sticker that F1 fans would give if they saw a sticker that made fun of Zanardi's injuries...it's in poor taste and isn't welcome here.
| Rattler | 05-21-2002 03:28 PM |
I apologize. I was very distasteful on my part. Thank you for removing it.
I just think of all the arguements I got into with my old roomie over the remote on Sunday afternoons. I know it would last seconds around here.
The article I spoke of in an earlier post was April Car & Driver, not Road & Track.
I just think of all the arguements I got into with my old roomie over the remote on Sunday afternoons. I know it would last seconds around here.
The article I spoke of in an earlier post was April Car & Driver, not Road & Track.
| ChrisW | 05-21-2002 03:46 PM |
The problem with nascrap is that it is primarily driven by a marketing engine.
What better way to advertise to a captive audience than to have siloette cars (siloettes of "popular" marketing american brand names) plastered with advertisements for other products.
With the toilet bowl shape of the race track, the marketing types get the maximum coverage unlike a [i]real track[/i] like a road course where you can't get 100% TV coverage. Technically you can 100% coverage on a road course, but it is very expensive, and a logistical nightmare for the promoter.
Now the marketers like dumb consumers. It's easier too sell the crap they produce to dumb consumers. [b]This is the only reason nascrap is so popular[/b]
Nascrap racing is incredibly simplistic, there is not too much strategy needed to win the race. All you need is reliable equipment and whole lot of luck when qualifiying.:lol:
For the average piss beer drinking nascrap fan, the simplistic strategy makes it easy for the drunk to follow the course of the race. The only excitement comes when the green flag is dropped, the big crash (the most popular action on the toilet bowl to the dismay of the drivers), and the checkered flag.
I am a nascrap fan, but my enthusiasim for this "sport" is dropping daily :monkey: I used to watch the races (read: take a nap in front of the TV)
but as ESPN and later Speedvision offered more road racing and other none nascrap sports, my interest in nascrap racing has diminshed significantly.
[b]If a promoter can figure out how to beat the nascrap marketing engine and provide the marketers with a better captive audience, then we [i]will[/i] see the demise of nascrap racing[/b] until then we have to deal...:(
What better way to advertise to a captive audience than to have siloette cars (siloettes of "popular" marketing american brand names) plastered with advertisements for other products.
With the toilet bowl shape of the race track, the marketing types get the maximum coverage unlike a [i]real track[/i] like a road course where you can't get 100% TV coverage. Technically you can 100% coverage on a road course, but it is very expensive, and a logistical nightmare for the promoter.
Now the marketers like dumb consumers. It's easier too sell the crap they produce to dumb consumers. [b]This is the only reason nascrap is so popular[/b]
Nascrap racing is incredibly simplistic, there is not too much strategy needed to win the race. All you need is reliable equipment and whole lot of luck when qualifiying.:lol:
For the average piss beer drinking nascrap fan, the simplistic strategy makes it easy for the drunk to follow the course of the race. The only excitement comes when the green flag is dropped, the big crash (the most popular action on the toilet bowl to the dismay of the drivers), and the checkered flag.
I am a nascrap fan, but my enthusiasim for this "sport" is dropping daily :monkey: I used to watch the races (read: take a nap in front of the TV)
but as ESPN and later Speedvision offered more road racing and other none nascrap sports, my interest in nascrap racing has diminshed significantly.
[b]If a promoter can figure out how to beat the nascrap marketing engine and provide the marketers with a better captive audience, then we [i]will[/i] see the demise of nascrap racing[/b] until then we have to deal...:(
| Thug | 05-21-2002 03:57 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Opie [/i]
[B]You know, some of you are as ignorant as you are arogant. No one said you [b]have[/b] to like NASCAR, but you surely don't have to be an ass towards the people that do. Not everyone likes F1, not everyone likes WRC, and surprisingly not everyone likes NASCAR, but all three exist so deal with it.
[/B][/QUOTE]
Well said. I hate NASCAR as much as the next guy, but I still say to each their own.
[B]You know, some of you are as ignorant as you are arogant. No one said you [b]have[/b] to like NASCAR, but you surely don't have to be an ass towards the people that do. Not everyone likes F1, not everyone likes WRC, and surprisingly not everyone likes NASCAR, but all three exist so deal with it.
[/B][/QUOTE]
Well said. I hate NASCAR as much as the next guy, but I still say to each their own.
| Rattler | 05-21-2002 04:10 PM |
ChrisW,
You are sooo correct on the marketing part. What happened to those days when the manufacturers had to build so many production cars that were similar; Superbird, Daytona, etc. I know that the Group B cars were like that too though. They had to build so many. And now you can say the same about the Skodas, Citreons, Foci, etc.; no AWD turbo'd models available for all. Then again, the words "stock car" aren't in the name of it either.
Funny thing is, I just read in one of my car rags that NASCAR paraphinalia is one of the hottest-selling things in Japan. We all crave what we can't easily have.
You are sooo correct on the marketing part. What happened to those days when the manufacturers had to build so many production cars that were similar; Superbird, Daytona, etc. I know that the Group B cars were like that too though. They had to build so many. And now you can say the same about the Skodas, Citreons, Foci, etc.; no AWD turbo'd models available for all. Then again, the words "stock car" aren't in the name of it either.
Funny thing is, I just read in one of my car rags that NASCAR paraphinalia is one of the hottest-selling things in Japan. We all crave what we can't easily have.
| meebs | 05-21-2002 10:53 PM |
the funniest thing reading this thread, is that I grew up in a trailor court, love WWF, detest NASCAR, love WRC and F1, (and CART when it's not on an oval.)
Of cource there are always exceptions to major groups, and statistics are just that, statistics...
Opie said it best that all 3 are here, so deal with it. Yes that's all fine and peachy, and I deal with it just fine thankyouverymuch by not watching it... But! I should not have to [b]AVOID[/b] it in the middle of a broadcast I was enjoying.:rolleyes: I didn't pay for that.
Nobody said life was fair, and that certainly applies in TV land, especially at FOX, where they have started and killed all of my favorite shows. Married w/children, Family Guy, Futuramma.. OH WELL!
Side note, anyone else find funny the, "get a life" "to each his own" nonsence that thrives on bbs'? If you have an opinion, why be humble about it? And if you don't really care (to each his own) then why bother discussing? :D
Thanks have a good day.
Of cource there are always exceptions to major groups, and statistics are just that, statistics...
Opie said it best that all 3 are here, so deal with it. Yes that's all fine and peachy, and I deal with it just fine thankyouverymuch by not watching it... But! I should not have to [b]AVOID[/b] it in the middle of a broadcast I was enjoying.:rolleyes: I didn't pay for that.
Nobody said life was fair, and that certainly applies in TV land, especially at FOX, where they have started and killed all of my favorite shows. Married w/children, Family Guy, Futuramma.. OH WELL!
Side note, anyone else find funny the, "get a life" "to each his own" nonsence that thrives on bbs'? If you have an opinion, why be humble about it? And if you don't really care (to each his own) then why bother discussing? :D
Thanks have a good day.
| Nordstone | 05-22-2002 12:26 AM |
If you hated what they did during that broadcast (as I did), let them know. It was a poor programming decision considering their audience was 90-some-percent, non-NASCAR fans. If you think it was stupid (and it was), let them know in an intelligently written e-mail. That is how things get fixed.
NASCAR is very popular; duh! The average NASCAR viewer isn't very educated, however. Consider the ads on the cars and the commercials that dominate these events. They are catering to the simpler people. I don't have a problem with blue collar people. I have plenty of blue collar friends. But, NASCAR and its marketers know that its fans are blue collar and generally not very educated. Of course the people who attend these events have money. The people who attend any spendy events have dough. They wouldn't be there if they didn't have time and money.
NASCAR is very popular; duh! The average NASCAR viewer isn't very educated, however. Consider the ads on the cars and the commercials that dominate these events. They are catering to the simpler people. I don't have a problem with blue collar people. I have plenty of blue collar friends. But, NASCAR and its marketers know that its fans are blue collar and generally not very educated. Of course the people who attend these events have money. The people who attend any spendy events have dough. They wouldn't be there if they didn't have time and money.
| tekriter | 05-22-2002 09:33 AM |
[QUOTE][i]
Side note, anyone else find funny the, "get a life" "to each his own" nonsence that thrives on bbs'? If you have an opinion, why be humble about it? And if you don't really care (to each his own) then why bother discussing? :D
Thanks have a good day. [/B][/QUOTE]
Well said!!!! We don't need to attack each other but your point of view is open season. I learn stuff all the time here and often change my point of view. Get off the fence! If NASCAR has any redeemable features then someone please tell us clearly. I don't have to watch it, but I would like to talk about it.
Side note, anyone else find funny the, "get a life" "to each his own" nonsence that thrives on bbs'? If you have an opinion, why be humble about it? And if you don't really care (to each his own) then why bother discussing? :D
Thanks have a good day. [/B][/QUOTE]
Well said!!!! We don't need to attack each other but your point of view is open season. I learn stuff all the time here and often change my point of view. Get off the fence! If NASCAR has any redeemable features then someone please tell us clearly. I don't have to watch it, but I would like to talk about it.
| WagonMonster | 05-22-2002 11:56 AM |
<WagonMonster Opinion>
Basically, the majority of Americans are un-motivated and lazy and will accept anything that is shoved down their throat by corporations, the government and advertisers. How else can you explain SUV's, Reality Television, McDonald's, Creed, Carson Daly and NASCAR.
NASCAR is an amazing marketing tool, and as long as people keep watching it, advertisers are gonna pour $$ into it. I mean really, somehow they've suckered Americans into watching product billboards go around and around in circles for hours! From an advertising standpoint it's Brilliant!
I loathe NASCAR with a passion, but I loathe a lot of things that are popular to the average American, I just try to igore it (which is hard when Speed interrupts WRC with NASCAR Updates :rolleyes: .) But money drives our Capitalist Society, so you better get used to it ;)
</WagonMonster Opinion>
Basically, the majority of Americans are un-motivated and lazy and will accept anything that is shoved down their throat by corporations, the government and advertisers. How else can you explain SUV's, Reality Television, McDonald's, Creed, Carson Daly and NASCAR.
NASCAR is an amazing marketing tool, and as long as people keep watching it, advertisers are gonna pour $$ into it. I mean really, somehow they've suckered Americans into watching product billboards go around and around in circles for hours! From an advertising standpoint it's Brilliant!
I loathe NASCAR with a passion, but I loathe a lot of things that are popular to the average American, I just try to igore it (which is hard when Speed interrupts WRC with NASCAR Updates :rolleyes: .) But money drives our Capitalist Society, so you better get used to it ;)
</WagonMonster Opinion>
| Eric SS | 05-22-2002 12:21 PM |
Is NASCAR a marketing tool? yes
BUT SO IS WRC and F1!!!
Every motorsport is a marketing tool. And you'll find more cigarette and alcohol sponsors on WRC and F1 cars than you will on NASCAR cars. There are more cars in the field of a WRC race than there are a NASCAR race, they have the same amount of "billboard" area, and more people go to watch it. WRC is the single largest spectator sport in the world.
Besides, I'd rather watch a sport motivated by marketing than spend 4 hours watching a Race only to have someone's team mate pull over on the last turn and let the other driver go by.
Like people have stated, I don;t care that some people don't like NASCAR, I don;t expect everyone to. But at least don't disrespect and generalize people that do enjoy watching it.
Eric
BUT SO IS WRC and F1!!!
Every motorsport is a marketing tool. And you'll find more cigarette and alcohol sponsors on WRC and F1 cars than you will on NASCAR cars. There are more cars in the field of a WRC race than there are a NASCAR race, they have the same amount of "billboard" area, and more people go to watch it. WRC is the single largest spectator sport in the world.
Besides, I'd rather watch a sport motivated by marketing than spend 4 hours watching a Race only to have someone's team mate pull over on the last turn and let the other driver go by.
Like people have stated, I don;t care that some people don't like NASCAR, I don;t expect everyone to. But at least don't disrespect and generalize people that do enjoy watching it.
Eric
| WagonMonster | 05-22-2002 12:35 PM |
I wasn't Generalizing NASCAR Fans, I was Generalizing ALL Americans ;) :lol:
| ForzaF1 | 05-22-2002 02:52 PM |
I wish it was as easy as simply ignoring NASCAR.
However if you want ANY motor-sports coverage in the US, you have endless amounts of vacuous NASCAR-related drivel forced upon you. I was ignoring NASCAR this last Friday and Saturday, but guess what? it was forced upon me by FOX when I tried to watch WRC.
Apparently 5 hours of continuous coverage Saturday's roundy-rond race was not enough, and they had to interupt WRC with yet more NASCAR coverage.
I would ignore it if that were an option, but it isn't, so I reserve my right to "hate" NASCAR and express my opinion about it.
However if you want ANY motor-sports coverage in the US, you have endless amounts of vacuous NASCAR-related drivel forced upon you. I was ignoring NASCAR this last Friday and Saturday, but guess what? it was forced upon me by FOX when I tried to watch WRC.
Apparently 5 hours of continuous coverage Saturday's roundy-rond race was not enough, and they had to interupt WRC with yet more NASCAR coverage.
I would ignore it if that were an option, but it isn't, so I reserve my right to "hate" NASCAR and express my opinion about it.
| johnfelstead | 05-22-2002 04:20 PM |
I am confused!
Speed Chanel never contacted me and thanked me for my mail!
Whats that all about then???? :lol::D
Speed Chanel never contacted me and thanked me for my mail!
Whats that all about then???? :lol::D
| 63Alpine | 05-22-2002 06:26 PM |
I really love all these characterizations of NASCAR fans:
We are uneducated
We live in trailers and have no money
We are stupid for watching because they just go around in circles and there is no strategy
It is just marketing hype
Did I miss any?
Let's go over them one by one.
[b]We are uneducated[/b]
Of people who identified themselves as NASCAR fans, 40.1% have attended college.
[b]We live in trailers and have no money[/b]
I don't see why income should be related to the quality of racing but here goes. Of people who identify themselves as NASCAR fans 37.2% earn over $50,000 and 16.8% earn over $75,000 a year. The median household income in the US in 1999 was $39,744, according to the US census by the way.
[b]We are stupid for watching because they just go around in circles and there is no strategy[/b]
Maybe you just don't understand the strategy. In NSACAR the following things usually determine the outcome of races. Car setup, tire selection, pit strategy, drafting, pit crews. Sound familiar? It should it is the same thing that usually determines the outcome of ALL racing.
[b]It is just marketing hype[/b]
As opposed to the pristine nature of the F1 the WRC? I hate to break it to you but 555 is not Tommi's car number.
Just because you don't like NASCAR does not mean it sucks. There are people on this board that would like to make the occasional reference to NASCAR with out a bunch of childish "NASCAR Sucks" responses.
Was I annoyed when they cut into the WRC coverage? Absolutely. I sent Speed TV a polite email explaining that I thought that their decision was a poor one. Hopefully they learned. That decision does not require a barrage of "NASCAR Sucks" posts on this board. There is no mgical code in vBulletin that will make NASCAR go away if you post enough rants.
By the way, the stats came from NASCAR.
We are uneducated
We live in trailers and have no money
We are stupid for watching because they just go around in circles and there is no strategy
It is just marketing hype
Did I miss any?
Let's go over them one by one.
[b]We are uneducated[/b]
Of people who identified themselves as NASCAR fans, 40.1% have attended college.
[b]We live in trailers and have no money[/b]
I don't see why income should be related to the quality of racing but here goes. Of people who identify themselves as NASCAR fans 37.2% earn over $50,000 and 16.8% earn over $75,000 a year. The median household income in the US in 1999 was $39,744, according to the US census by the way.
[b]We are stupid for watching because they just go around in circles and there is no strategy[/b]
Maybe you just don't understand the strategy. In NSACAR the following things usually determine the outcome of races. Car setup, tire selection, pit strategy, drafting, pit crews. Sound familiar? It should it is the same thing that usually determines the outcome of ALL racing.
[b]It is just marketing hype[/b]
As opposed to the pristine nature of the F1 the WRC? I hate to break it to you but 555 is not Tommi's car number.
Just because you don't like NASCAR does not mean it sucks. There are people on this board that would like to make the occasional reference to NASCAR with out a bunch of childish "NASCAR Sucks" responses.
Was I annoyed when they cut into the WRC coverage? Absolutely. I sent Speed TV a polite email explaining that I thought that their decision was a poor one. Hopefully they learned. That decision does not require a barrage of "NASCAR Sucks" posts on this board. There is no mgical code in vBulletin that will make NASCAR go away if you post enough rants.
By the way, the stats came from NASCAR.
| WRXhauls | 05-22-2002 09:34 PM |
I'm a NASCAR fan with a college education and greater than median earnings in a tech job. I'm also a fan of almost all forms of motorsports including WRC and F1. Like other forms of popular racing, there is good and bad with NASCAR - but it is what it is, and it has a huge following that isn't going away.
I was at the Winston last weekend with 144 thousand+ fans. It was a great experience, with exciting racing, but I will admit that some percentage of those in attendance fit the image of the typical redneck Nascar fan. I had very good (and expensive) seats - but there were several people around me that were probably drinking more than they should. The good news is that there was so much traffic that they had time to sober up before hitting the road home. It took me over an hour to get out of the parking lot. In fact the worst part of the event was that I spent more time in the car in traffic before and after the event, than I spent in my seat watching race action.
Here a couple of the things that I like about NASCAR...
1> Every track is different and the cars must be prepped very differently. There is no way that NASCAR can be called low-tech racing. A single piece of radiator opening tape - or a half pound of air pressure in a tire can make the difference between winning and losing.
2> With so many competitive cars, strategy and teamwork are very important. Two examples from the Winston... Ken Schrader had a very strong car in the Open, but a slow tire change kept him from advancing. Second, Jeff Burton came up with a strategy to exploit the rule that said that each team must have one green flag pit stop. By stopping on the last lap, then didn't have to get back up to speed and actually finished on pit road. They took second even though they didn't have a strong car.
3> Great coverage. Whether it is multiple external camera and in-car coverage - or the extensive media coverage before and after events - if it happens in the sport, you will know about it. For example, the day after the Winston, Elliott Sadler was on Inside Nascar explaining why he threw his helmet at another driver.
4> The drivers are available and accessible to the fans. It is understood that a successful driver only does part of his work on the track. They all do interviews (in understandable english, albeit with a southern accent), and public appearances. For example, a couple of weeks ago the Richmond race was rained out on a Saturday night. Rather than calling it a night, Michael Waltrip went to his souvenir trailer and signed autographs for over an hour.
Anyway, to each his own. IMHO, the WRC drivers are the most skilled, the F1 cars are the best engineered (duh), and NASCAR is the best show for the average fan. Even my wife has gotten into NASCAR.
- peace
Oh and by the way, George Bush was the Grand Marshall at the Winston and did a nice patriotic remote video for part of the starting ceremonies as well as the start your engines command.
I was at the Winston last weekend with 144 thousand+ fans. It was a great experience, with exciting racing, but I will admit that some percentage of those in attendance fit the image of the typical redneck Nascar fan. I had very good (and expensive) seats - but there were several people around me that were probably drinking more than they should. The good news is that there was so much traffic that they had time to sober up before hitting the road home. It took me over an hour to get out of the parking lot. In fact the worst part of the event was that I spent more time in the car in traffic before and after the event, than I spent in my seat watching race action.
Here a couple of the things that I like about NASCAR...
1> Every track is different and the cars must be prepped very differently. There is no way that NASCAR can be called low-tech racing. A single piece of radiator opening tape - or a half pound of air pressure in a tire can make the difference between winning and losing.
2> With so many competitive cars, strategy and teamwork are very important. Two examples from the Winston... Ken Schrader had a very strong car in the Open, but a slow tire change kept him from advancing. Second, Jeff Burton came up with a strategy to exploit the rule that said that each team must have one green flag pit stop. By stopping on the last lap, then didn't have to get back up to speed and actually finished on pit road. They took second even though they didn't have a strong car.
3> Great coverage. Whether it is multiple external camera and in-car coverage - or the extensive media coverage before and after events - if it happens in the sport, you will know about it. For example, the day after the Winston, Elliott Sadler was on Inside Nascar explaining why he threw his helmet at another driver.
4> The drivers are available and accessible to the fans. It is understood that a successful driver only does part of his work on the track. They all do interviews (in understandable english, albeit with a southern accent), and public appearances. For example, a couple of weeks ago the Richmond race was rained out on a Saturday night. Rather than calling it a night, Michael Waltrip went to his souvenir trailer and signed autographs for over an hour.
Anyway, to each his own. IMHO, the WRC drivers are the most skilled, the F1 cars are the best engineered (duh), and NASCAR is the best show for the average fan. Even my wife has gotten into NASCAR.
- peace
Oh and by the way, George Bush was the Grand Marshall at the Winston and did a nice patriotic remote video for part of the starting ceremonies as well as the start your engines command.
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