Let me tell you a story.................................

[dawg]

A few years ago, while we were on vacation, the pop off valve on our water heater pop-ed off. The entire basement carper was soaked, as well as the lower 6" of the  walls. Our insurance co. sent in a company to fix things. They tried, unsuccessfully, for about 2 weeks to save the carpet. We were out of the basement for about 6 weeks before all the painting, carpet, etc were finished.
 Prior to that we were in the habit  of retiring to the basement to watch TV. during the repairs we found ourselves spending more time on the sun porch, reading. If we wanted to watch TV, we retired to the bedroom. Long story short, after repairs were completed, we never resumed spending evenings in the basement.
 What's this have to do with racing? probably nothing! However, I was talking to a neighbor today. He is retired, a blue collar guy. money is fairly tight. He has a large 5th wheel, pulled by a GMC diesel PU.
 He usually attends about 3 NA$CAR races a year. He said it has been costing app. 1500. Fuel the last time was over 500. This year he's taking the trailer to a nearby lake, but said he's thinking about selling it. He also said he'd never go back to Indy, because of the limited visibility.
 My point, if I have one, is, what if the economy is what's responsible for all the empty seats. Suppose that the economy eventually recovers. Further suppose that when it does, people decide they'd rather, stay home. Watch the race on TV,(for what they save they can buy that 54" surround sound, from skipping a couple of races) & do other things on the weekend. Just like our basement time, it could very well happen.

[peglet]

Your neighbor is exactly right about Indy. Went 3 years ago, sat between turns 3 & 4. Not worth the gas for the trip or the money for the tickets. Had an opportunity to go again this year and turned it down.. 

[HUDSON HORNET]

A few years ago, while we were on vacation, the pop off valve on our water heater pop-ed off. The entire basement carper was soaked, as well as the lower 6" of the  walls. Our insurance co. sent in a company to fix things. They tried, unsuccessfully, for about 2 weeks to save the carpet. We were out of the basement for about 6 weeks before all the painting, carpet, etc were finished.
 Prior to that we were in the habit  of retiring to the basement to watch TV. during the repairs we found ourselves spending more time on the sun porch, reading. If we wanted to watch TV, we retired to the bedroom. Long story short, after repairs were completed, we never resumed spending evenings in the basement.
 What's this have to do with racing? probably nothing! However, I was talking to a neighbor today. He is retired, a blue collar guy. money is fairly tight. He has a large 5th wheel, pulled by a GMC diesel PU.
 He usually attends about 3 NA$CAR races a year. He said it has been costing app. 1500. Fuel the last time was over 500. This year he's taking the trailer to a nearby lake, but said he's thinking about selling it. He also said he'd never go back to Indy, because of the limited visibility.
 My point, if I have one, is, what if the economy is what's responsible for all the empty seats. Suppose that the economy eventually recovers. Further suppose that when it does, people decide they'd rather, stay home. Watch the race on TV,(for what they save they can buy that 54" surround sound, from skipping a couple of races) & do other things on the weekend. Just like our basement time, it could very well happen.

Very interesting observations, Dawg.
I think you've just hit the head right on the nail.

One of the rules in business, and, because The Brian has now declared that NASCAR is no longer a sport about racin', but rather
"entertainment" --- and now a part of "big business", I think this rule applies;
NEVER GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS A REASON
TO TRY BRAND-X.

Could "Brand-X", in this case, be home television in the basements, lofts, living rooms, bedrooms and dens from sea to shining sea and all across
the fruited plain?
Would a financially able fan be ahead of the line for a profitable trickle-down effect if they were to create and/or invest in a new twist on NASCAR viewing?
Killer sound systems in digital, surround sound --- in Dolby ---- maybe through a power-house computer ---- on a BIG screen, and wide, too!
Just like bein' there --- and the whole system would probably set a NASCAR couch fan back about the same as a Cup Series race, for a family of four.
Well, ........ maybe two races if they're within an,....... oh say, ............. a 300 mile radius.
Factor in vehicle wear, and plain ol' wear-N-tear on the driver(s) and passengers as they try to stay on the lead lap out of the track parkin' lot.
Good Grief!
If y'all wanna see REAL racin' ---- just leave your seats before the end of the race, and position yourself out in the parkin' lot.
I suggest a narrow area where the whole parkin' lot converges ---  probably 50 vehicles all runnin' side-by-side, and tryin' to squeeze down to six or eight narrow lanes -----
as they come into the, now empty -- yet overflowing    --- toll booths.
Boogity
Boogity
Boogity
Pull those belts tight ONE MORE TIME boys
LET'S GO RACIN'!!!

But I digress, ....................................... ...   

Or,...............................
How 'bout a NASCAR Sports Club?   
Although, if we follow the Money Trail, we'd probably see The Brian with his thumb up
in the air,......... WhAT?!   
Well, ....... whud'ja THINK I was gonna say?
Oh MY!!   

........... NopE!   
The Brian's thumb would be indicating for a Sports Bar pull over, so The Brian could check their license,
to see if the little business is allowed to do that (with out paying for the "rights" to do so).      

NaW ------ I think an active NASCAR fan drivin' a PowerStroke or Cummin' peek-kup truck, maybe pullin' a travel trailer,
or a gas puller or a diesel pusher RV --- with diesel here in California runnin' close to $5.00 a gallon, and often over, even a 500 mile trip
to Infineon -- one way, 1,000 miles round trip, @ 10 mpg = $500.
Or, LA, Cal to Atlanta --- 2,200 miles 4,400 round trip, same mpg --- = $880 in fuel.
Food
Tickets
Trinket sales
Parking (free at Fontana)
Good Grief.

I see a complete home theater in the savings.   

And, as an added bonus, the first NASCAR fans to git 'er installed and all the bugs worked out and the suspension devices all set up,
would be elevated to New Best Friend status by many fellow fans in a New York minute.
Might even be a NASCAR chick magnet, .........      who knows?
But, ..............   
The Brian probably has laws about chargin' admission to such a gathering    ,
however, I'm thinkin' the provider of said super system should never
have to worry about where the beer is comin' from, NASCAR's "official beer", or not.   
What's not to like?
Well, ........... except for The Brian.   

Also considering many folks have other financial problems, and now is a good time to be liquid in funds, would a wise fan attending several races continue to throw their disposable cash to The Brian, or investing that same disposable cash and wait 'till the economy bounces back?
With equity y'all have in that home your super-system is in, purchase bargain priced investments, and wait and watch it all happen on television. 

IMO, with the economy having gone from the penthouse to the outhouse, -- SOME NASCAR fans, aren't as affected by that hardship as others are.
With The Brian still demanding top dollar in a stumbling economy leads me to believe one of two thangs --- either he's a complete boob at business,
or he's trying to appeal to a wealthier crowd, who, in The Brian's opinion, might be more able and willing to afford his form of"entertainment".   

Everyday I see signs   
2 for the price of 1
Free rotor turning with purchase of pads
All you can eat specials -- served daily
Half Off Sale
Liquidation Sale
along with
Bank Re-Po
Going out of business sale
YeS -- There are no jobs today
CLOSED.

Yet, The Brian wants a raise?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

What's wrong with this picture? 

[Bubba]

Dear Hudson Hornet:

(Well if I don't scare you into another alt by addressing you).

Your rant didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Sorry. A race on TV (as you know) is NOTHING like a live race. It's is like seeing a picture on the internet of the Mona Lisa or actually SEEING the Mona Lisa. Perhaps that analogy is lost on you as I doubt you have seen the Mona Lisa, but I think you get the meaning as you have watched races on TV and seen them live. TV/seeing race isn't the issue. I'm not really sure what is.

Live or on TV I've been disappointed with NASCAR the last couple of years. The ONLY race I have seen this year in entirety was Talledega and that is because I attended it. I can't put my finger on WHY I don't have the same passion, but I can Guarengoddamntee you it isn't the price of fuel. My thought is because we aren't seeing the BEST drivers racing anymore, we are only seeing those who's daddy's have enough money to buy them a ride, their name buy them a ride, or those pretty enough to attract a sponsor to buy them a ride. The best drivers rarely get a chance.

Of course there are some exceptions. Love him or hate him, it is hard to honestly deny that Kyle Busch is an awesome driver. When 7 time NASCAR Richard Petty and 2 time Champion Daryl Waltrip call him one of the best they have ever seen, it is hard to deny. Joey Logano is another one who comes to mind. I've been watching that boy (LIVE BTW) in Hooters procup and whatever they call the winston series now, for 3 years, the kid can flat out wheel a car, but they are the exceptions. Brad Keselowski is good (although I think his brother Brian is better), but basically we just see folks who can buy a ride anymore.

I dunno bro, surround sound, big screen HD tv (I have all that) just don't do it for me. Nor does going to the track. I would rather watch local stuff, Hooters Procup, Trucks, ARCA (though that is getting bought out as well) as watch Cup racing. It's a business now, not racing. They (France) looked at the fat chick they brought to the dance, who paid their way in, has a great personality, and is much better than they deserve, and decided to go for the narcissistic home coming queen who scorns them instead, dumping poor Ole Bessy, who will stick with them through thick and thin.

Maybe we are saying the same thing and I am too stupid to get your message (more than likely PROBABLY not maybe knowing me). I'm still trying to figure out why I would rather have teeth pulled, without drugs, on any given Sunday (although it's Saturday Nights and whatnot now) than sit down and watch a NASCAR race.   

[skool]

    Me?......Oh nothing....just standing around....      

Fly on the wall is all

Fer now