The Obama Economy Is Wrecking NASCAR

weeklystandard.com ^ | 5-15-12 | Michael Warren

[Texas Eagle]

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) has been considered America’s fastest growing sport, quickly becoming a national phenomenon. But a new economic study shows even NASCAR’s powerful engines haven’t been able to keep up with the Obama-era economy.

The study, from the pro-market think tank Public Notice and Race Fans 4 Freedom, finds that the economic downturn of the last several years has directly affected how NASCAR fans watch and enjoy their sport. Since 2009, race attendance per year has fallen below 4 million people, and the number has been declining severely as the unemployment rate has skyrocketed. The cost of attending—with higher gas prices, less disposable income, and diminished financial security—has increased.

[Sudetenland]

Lots of private folks taking those "unibody, front-wheel-drive 4- or 6-cylinder appliances" and making very high performance vehicles. Nobody said or implied using bone-stock cars.

Besides, "the skill of the driver" is tested at any speed when the vehicles being driven are running at the limits of their capabilities.

Oh yeah, and as important as the skill of the driver is, the skills of the pit crew alone can make or break a race . . . especially so when the cars are all pretty much exactly the same (barring paint scheme).

[SMM48]

Used to be a huge fan. When they allowed Toyota in, that was it for me.

[Notary Sojac]

I think the problem is in steering a course (no pun intended) between a pure spec series (which NASCAR is getting close to) and an anything goes series in which cubic dollars rule and Rick Hendrick wins thirty-two races a year.

I suggest the idea of running it like claiming races with the ponies. Winning car can be bought by anyone with a check for say $200K. That should keep everyone honest.

[norton]

Look at the positive side:
Four doors would allow for a ride along technician with a lap top tuning app...
Sensors, bells, whistles, and recorded voices could totally eliminate the need for spotters...(Imagine your Garmin yelling "go low", "go high", or "pitstop in three laps..two..NOW")
The coming automatic driver overrides would add real excitement to close racing, not to mention knowing in advance that you are about to be bump drafted into the wall...
If you thought #24 looked slick advertising DuPont just imagine it with 20 inch wheels and low profiles...
Finally, it would give them an objective way to show whether hybrids, electrics, propane, hydrogen (maybe not) might actually be viable.

(Serious note)
I'm OK with Danica, if she stops complaining and keeps working at it she should win some.
Just getting in and out of Fontana would send any sane person home to watch it on TV.
'73 Impala was the highpoint.

[Oatka]

. . . 10 dollar hamburgers. 7 dollar hotdogs. 4 dollar bottles of water.

I'm always amazed at that kind of stupid greed. I'll bet that if the prices were dropped 50% they more than double their sales. When I screw up and get into one of those gouging situations, I just go thirsty and hungry - it's only for a few hours - Big Deal. Maybe it's a cut-nose-spite-face thingy but I feel better about not being used like that.

[SVTCobra03]

How could they use production cars these days? They are unibody, front-wheel-drive 4- or 6-cylinder appliances these days.

I guess you haven't seen the Ford Shelby GT500, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 or Dodge Challenger SRT8.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Who are NASCAR fans? White working class.

Who are Obama's #1 target? White working class.

Coinking Dink?

[Sporke]

I gave up on NASCAR when I couldn’t see Rebel flags in the infield. If they want to make the races watchable again, take the radios out of the cars, and make the drivers change their own tires.

I also got tired of hearing “sunoco race fuel” replace gas. ALL sports inject way too many advertisements into their broadcasts.

[Former War Criminal]

If NASCAR would retire #22 and #43, I’d consider buying another ticket.

Also, I’d really like to see them racing on Daytona Beach again.

On a serious note, at one point my wife and I had been to every super speedway. Now I can’t even name them all.

Watch them on TV? No way!

[ltc8k6]

I’ll bet that the greed goes back to the track owner and some ridiculous fee to be able to sell at the track.

[Oatka]

I’ll bet that the greed goes back to the track owner and some ridiculous fee to be able to sell at the track.

Sounds logical, but you'd think he'd see the benefits of more profits by volume.

[printhead]

I buy no name detergent $7 for a gallon at the dollar store. I get a chuckle watching people load up on smaller bottles of tide for $22. Gotta pay for that race car somehow.

[RckyRaCoCo]

Exactly, they also act like they want to follow the model of Indy Car. Long ago the Indy 500 used to be a big event around here(family/friends)...and that’s even before it was a live event on TV...but interest waned(from the 80’s, on)when they pushed for a more “international” flavor, then more recently followed up by turning it into the Danica Patrick 500...combine that with the commercialism(which NASCAR now drips with)and predictable outcomes...and it’s become somewhat boring to watch. When(if)I tune in now it’s usually to watch the last 20 laps or so.