Did The Brickyard 400 Realy Happen ???

[Marlboro Kearney]

With all the empty seats and children 12 and under entry for free,,,,,   did it realy happen

Go back to" THE ROCK" Nascar,   Looks better on TV!

[Chris]

I like running At Indy... 
If I had my day to run NASCAR I'd do away with ALL the tracks that have a second date.
We'd have just one race at 36 different tracks.
I'd add Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Iowa, Kentucky, St Louis, Memphis, Road America, Pikes Peak, etc.
Everybody gets one race.. 

As far as the attendance at the race today...
I was curious.  I heard them say that "attendance w3as off and there were several empty seats,.. but we won't go into the reasons"....
Anyone know what the (actual) "reasons" were... or what they were talking about?

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I think the "reasons" are rather obvious. We can't have Speed and ESPN openly bashing Brian France and company.
We know the economy sucks. We know times are tough. We know the COT sucks. We know yada yada yada...

 

[Chris]

Ya know... I think when NASCAR / France NEEDS to be bashed... they SHOULD be bashed.
I kind of think thats a big part of the problem.. to WAY too long we have had announcers that are just a mouthpiece for NASCAR and toe the company line.
IMO thats when all the apathy started, and hurts attendance / credibility, etc.
Just like any other sport, NASCARS actions need to be scrutinized in a public forum, and if they screw up it should be pointed out.

That will start to get some integrity back into the sport, and fans will maybe stop thinking this is just "WWF wrestling on wheels"

[scott b]

I like running At Indy... 
If I had my day to run NASCAR I'd do away with ALL the tracks that have a second date.
We'd have just one race at 36 different tracks.
I'd add Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Iowa, Kentucky, St Louis, Memphis, Road America, Pikes Peak, etc.
Everybody gets one race.. 

As far as the attendance at the race today...
I was curious.  I heard them say that "attendance w3as off and there were several empty seats,.. but we won't go into the reasons"....
Anyone know what the (actual) "reasons" were... or what they were talking about?

I agree on the scheduling, I would let Daytona keep two races and possibly Charlotte (er... Lowes), but only one visit per year for all other tracks.

I got the feeling the announcers were under instructions from someone higher up the food chain not to talk about the empty seats, other than that one time early on in the broadcast when they acknowledged what was very obvious in some of the wider camera shots.  And this "Triple Crown" crap, when did that become a thing... did someone in the truck just make that up? 

[DougS]

That will start to get some integrity back into the sport, and fans will maybe stop thinking this is just "WWF wrestling on wheels"

Funny thing today, since you mentioned it. Hemie Sadler tweeted that Hulk Hogan enters the ring and linked a picture. The first thing I thought of was "is it going to be a picture of Mike Helton" I was actually surprised that it was indeed Hulk Hogan. Sad state of affairs for NASCAR regulars.

[DougS]

Funny thing today, since you mentioned it. Hemie Sadler tweeted that Hulk Hogan enters the ring and linked a picture. The first thing I thought of was "is it going to be a picture of Mike Helton" I was actually surprised that it was indeed Hulk Hogan. Sad state of affairs for NASCAR regulars.

It's kind of funny. Actually it's not. I really read a lot of reports an opinion about this and really changed how I though about the secret penalties and how nascar handles business. Read the forum on the penalties if you want some further insight.

[KurtBuschFan]

When we were watching the race on our DVR Sunday night, I turned to my husband when the announcers said they weren't going into the reasons for the empty stands and said to him they're not talking since ultimately NASCAR signs their paychecks.  Don't bite the hand that feeds...

[just a fan]

I have stated my opinion on the empty seats several times. If you put a quality product on the track the fans will support it. NASCAR is paying the price for leaving the fan base that made them successful. For years they went on an all out money grab and sold the sport like a cheap hooker to get what they thought was a better tv market. Today those "new fans" have gotten bored with the product.
I think another issue is the amount of media coverage. Not too many years ago there was maybe one or two shows a week that focussed on the sport and that along with the internet was how we got out news. Now there is a different NASCAR themed show on every night of the week. And how many times do we need to hear the same story? There is only so much to report.
I am not going to be able to make it to Bristol this summer (by the way if you are interested in tickets let me know). I hate that because it is one of the few tracks that still offers a good race. I could care less about two races at Charlotte or any other cookie cutter track. Give us more short track reacing.

[Chris]

If you put a quality product on the track the fans will support it. NASCAR is paying the price for leaving the fan base that made them successful. For years they went on an all out money grab and sold the sport like a cheap hooker to get what they thought was a better tv market. Today those "new fans" have gotten bored with the product.

Halleuah... Preach on.  I agree..
Those us of that have been fans since "back in the day" said this same thing when it was happening.  When NASCAR started going away from the old tracks, and turned it back on the history,.. they also turned it's back on the major fan base.
WE said then it would be a downward slide for racing, and be a detriment in the long run.
NASCAR claimed they had all these 'new' fans whole loved the new way they were doing things

Old fans stated all these "johnny-come-latelys" would latch onto the newest thing, do it for a while, and then drop it like a hot rock.  So thats the point we have come to now.
Racing isn't the latest greatest thing any more,.. so the new-comers are off to greener pastures.  In the mean time NASCAR has run off it hard-core fan base,.. and once they are gone, they won't come back either.

SO now what does NASCAR do... looks to me like they are reverting to wresting on wheels.  Let drivers wreck each other.. try and get an audience by seeing who if going to kill who first.  And if they don't wise up.  thats coming.

I'm a hard core fan.,... heck I was a NASCAR pit crew person for a couple years,.. they don't come no more hard core than I am.  And even I am to the point I'll never buy tickets to go to any NASCAR series event again.  If I get free garage passes, yeah I'll probably go to see old friends in the garages... but to put money into NASCARS pocket,. Ain't Happening