Regrettably, Nascar has lost a lot of fans.
I've been a fan for over twenty years. The over-hyped commercialism and over riding sponsor interests, selective rule enforcement, and predominance of certain "wimpy" drivers has caused me (and I suspect) many fans to question why this wonderful "down to earth" sport has changed so dramatically.
I have found myself doin other stuff rather than watching because of changes that don't relate to fan interest. Driver character and personal values are most important to me, not the glitz and ego that seem to prevail.
Dave Despain has had the courage to question some of the stuff that has been going on, including questionable late race caution flags. We don't get that truth from many other commentators who are paid by Nascar or the broadcast stations.
Tony Stewart may have taken a lot of heat for speaking out on the caution deal, but I bet he got Nascar’s attention.
The COT was supposed to give us side by side racing, so far it hasn’t. I guess we will have to wait and see how it does in the next races, the Dega COT race should be interesting to say the least.