Is NASCAR trying to alienate the older fans?

[smyler]

I just visited NASCAR.com.  I don't think they are doing a very good job of marketing to the real fans.  Everything is about looking towards the future.  There is a horrendous picture of the COT in this article about 7 things to look for in 2007.  Might as well call it the Batmobile of tomorrow.  It sure doesn't look like a stock car. 

NASCAR has made it clear that they won't go for the picture in picture during commercials, so they obviously don't care about the fan experience.  I thought going to ABC/ESPN was going to be a good move, but I think Mr. Frenchie won't allow them to provide good coverage.  They'll do better than NBC, but their hand are tied to provide the best product available.

They are looking for fans in foreign countries and giving the heave to those of us who bleed the colors of our favorite driver.  Personally, I think Juan being there will be a good thing, in general.  I just think we are going to be hit over the head with how International baby Brian wants the series to become.

Ok, so back to the topic at hand.  Do you think I'm just being pessimistic or do you think it is Brian's actual plan to care less about the old fans so that he can bring in new fans who won't grumble about the way it used to be.  The average income is probably higher in Los Angeles and Las Vegas than it is in Darlington or Martinsville.  Maybe the new fans won't mind an average ticket price of $300 or a $45 T-shirt.  Maybe the next TV contract will net more if the average demographic has an increased average income.

What do you think?

[falcon325]

Do you think I'm just being pessimistic or do you think it is Brian's actual plan to care less about the old fans so that he can bring in new fans who won't grumble about the way it used to be.  The average income is probably higher in Los Angeles and Las Vegas than it is in Darlington or Martinsville.  Maybe the new fans won't mind an average ticket price of $300 or a $45 T-shirt.  Maybe the next TV contract will net more if the average demographic has an increased average income.

Good morning, smyler. 

Man, I hate to be cynical, but in order for NA$CAR to TRY to alienate the older fan, in order for Brian to PLAN to care less about us, he first must give a rodent's rectum.  And he clearly doesn't.  All Brian knows or cares about the older fans is summed up nicely in your comment about $300 tickets and $45 tees. 

His master plan is to maximize ticket sales for ISC (and TRK) by splitting NA$CAR into two leagues.  The COT project may have been launched with noble motives (driver safety, owner costs, good racin').  I think the most important of that trinity is owner cost, because to have two leagues, NA$CAR will need at least sixty, if not eighty cars.  But like other Brian projects, little thought was given to fan acceptance or tradition, and, as problems emerge and complaints are registered (this deal sure doesn't look like it's going to save owners any money during the transition period), nothing changes ('cause HE'S HRH Brian and YOU'RE not!).

Thinking about little Brian, I had to wonder how many races he actually saw growing up.  Given who his daddy was, he could have gone to just about any race he wanted to.  Did he grow up rubbing shoulders with Kyle Petty, Terry LaBonte, Ricky Rudd, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, etc.  Did he ever attend a Labor Day race at Darlington?  Did he ever stand in line to use the john at the Rock?  Has he ever attended a Saturday night race at a local short track?  We know he was living out in LA when he was handed the keys to the kingdom.  What does he really know or care about stock car racing?

[Tyyrus]

Good morning, smyler. 

Man, I hate to be cynical, but in order for NA$CAR to TRY to alienate the older fan, in order for Brian to PLAN to care less about us, he first must give a rodent's rectum.  And he clearly doesn't.  All Brian knows or cares about the older fans is summed up nicely in your comment about $300 tickets and $45 tees. 

His master plan is to maximize ticket sales for ISC (and TRK) by splitting NA$CAR into two leagues.  The COT project may have been launched with noble motives (driver safety, owner costs, good racin').  I think the most important of that trinity is owner cost, because to have two leagues, NA$CAR will need at least sixty, if not eighty cars.  But like other Brian projects, little thought was given to fan acceptance or tradition, and, as problems emerge and complaints are registered (this deal sure doesn't look like it's going to save owners any money during the transition period), nothing changes ('cause HE'S HRH Brian and YOU'RE not!).

Thinking about little Brian, I had to wonder how many races he actually saw growing up.  Given who his daddy was, he could have gone to just about any race he wanted to.  Did he grow up rubbing shoulders with Kyle Petty, Terry LaBonte, Ricky Rudd, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, etc.  Did he ever attend a Labor Day race at Darlington?  Did he ever stand in line to use the john at the Rock?  Has he ever attended a Saturday night race at a local short track?  We know he was living out in LA when he was handed the keys to the kingdom.  What does he really know or care about stock car racing?

Naaaah Falcon , he was too busy polishing all his Silver Spoons , out in the sandbox in Lala..land...Man !

[AfterShock]

May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up His Nose! 

Someone open up a window,...........
Let some air into this room.

Momma Told Me Not to Go. 

[falcon325]

Naaaah Falcon , he was too busy polishing all his Silver Spoons , out in the sandbox in Lala..land...Man !

LOL. 

I dunno, Tyyrus.  People like him have people to polish their spoons for 'em.

[Tyyrus]

Yeh , I reckon your right...would'nt want him to tarnish his manicure..Eh !

[Matt]

Ummm, let's see....

A) The loss of North Wilkes and Rockingham and worse yet the Labor Day Darlington Southern 500 tradition.
B) The small cooler rules.
C) Not allowing fans in Richmond to fly Confederate flags.
D) Ticket prices out of control
E) The  mutant Chase points system
F) Allowing Toyota into Cup
G) The Car of Tomorrow being rammed down our throats

Yeah, I'd say the evidence is compelling the powers that be don't care a flying fig about the long time fans. They'd rather replace em with younger, hipper, richer fans of the sort who stay away in droves at Fontana. Brian France is just one of those folks who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.

[AfterShock]

You make some good points Matt.

W E L C O M E  to Frontstretch!!!

[Tyyrus]

Ummm, let's see....

A) The loss of North Wilkes and Rockingham and worse yet the Labor Day Darlington Southern 500 tradition.
B) The small cooler rules.
C) Not allowing fans in Richmond to fly Confederate flags.
D) Ticket prices out of control
E) The  mutant Chase points system
F) Allowing Toyota into Cup
G) The Car of Tomorrow being rammed down our throats

Yeah, I'd say the evidence is compelling the powers that be don't care a flying fig about the long time fans. They'd rather replace em with younger, hipper, richer fans of the sort who stay away in droves at Fontana. Brian France is just one of those folks who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.

I don't mind the Safety Related Smaller Cooler Issue , to many air heads drunk and disorderly before they started regulating the amount of alcohol a fan could bring in his personal carry in. Most tracks I've visited all have the same
form of cooler restriction. As far as the Confederate Flag ..assume that Political Correctness initiated this due to lack
of personal respect by Redneck Behaviour , by the minority..unfortunate but True .

Welcome to Frontstretch..Matt..Hope you enjoy your stay..Eh !

[flamehothead]

I can still say that I am proud to be a Nascar fan, At least for now anyway. Their are only two thing's that really bug me about Nascar right now and that is:

1. The COT.
2. The Chase Points System.

The Chase let's drivers take a 5th place instead of winning and not really effect where they are in the point's. I seen this happen time and time again in 2006. A driver running in 5th or even further back will just stay there and take what they can get. And for some reason I thought this was racing. I actually had someone tell me that they were point's racing. And just to think that I thought racing meant you drive your a$$ off until the Checkered Flag was waving.


As for the COT, It look's like a Cup car that went thru a Time Warp a little to soon. I guess they will have to change the logo from Nascar to Nascot because this is NOT a car. I just can't figure out why B.France and everyone at Nascar just change the nose of the car they have now. If you go back before they started the Common Body CRAP you can see that the racing was Exciting.  If you take any racing series and make the cars Identical them guess what's going to happen, Their all going to stay together and when a crash happens they are ALL going to crash. I know I have been talking alot about the Cascar series but they have their stuff together. If you put a Chevy next to a Dodge then you can really see a difference. To me watching Cascar is like watching Nascar a few year's ago and I mean some real good action. I think Tyyrus would agree with me on this one. Maybe B.France doesn't like Stock Car racing. Maybe he is trying to make it like his favorite racing series. I just wish someone would give him a GOOD reality check or maybe if someone gave him a Hockey check that would work too.


Welcome to Frontstretch Matt.
Glad to have Ya.

[Chris]

Being a LONG time CUP race attendee... Heck I can remember when they had WHOLE SECTIONS in the grandstands what were "No alcohol" allowed.
SO If they run low on tickets and that was all they had left,.. you couldn't drink during the race at all.

I don't have a problem with small coolers.  I never had a problem getting in what I needed to eat and drink for a 500 mile race.

As far as "allowing Toyota into CUP".  Not much can be done about that.  They are a ligitimate auto builder... ONLY rules that there is that X number must be made, and be available for sale to the public,.. certain wheel base, etc.  NOTHING about it being ONLY American Made.  And in fact many are now made in America.
I look for other Foreign "owned" cars to come into the series in the coming years.

As far as the rest of it... It's like the Golden Rule.  He who owns the gold.. makes the rules.  If we don't like it.  Too Bad.  We aren't going to do anything to change it.

[AfterShock]

Silver Threads and Golden Rules will not change this mind of mine.

So I'll just sit right down and pout, as I continue to whine.

[Tyyrus]

Good Post Chris....I agree 100% I'am really tired of all the whiners..if you don't like Nascar , then quit complaining
and go watch beach volley ball or some other Sport. Hey Flammer yeh Cascar is ok , but most of the racing
is short track primarily. There is good competition..but nothing in comparision to Nascar.

P.S. Nascar is still the Best Form of North American Real Stock Car Racing on the Planet..Man !

[AfterShock]

Good Post Chris....I agree 100% I'am really tired of all the whiners..if you don't like Nascar , then quit complaining
and go watch beach volley ball or some other Sport. Hey Flammer yeh Cascar is ok , but most of the racing
is short track primarily. There is good competition..but nothing in comparision to Nascar.

P.S. Nascar is still the Best Form of North American Real Stock Car Racing on the Planet..Man !

Well,Tyyrus, I'm a tad slow, but I've finally taken the hint and suggestion.

No more NA$CAR for me!
Nope!

I'm headin' for the beach for some other sport like volleyball.
Thanx for the suggestion.

Cheesecake and whine. That's the life for me.
And the weather is perfect.
Nobody at the beach ever whines for snow.
Why would they anyway? It's only about a two hour drive to the snow. Then, it's whineski and cheeseski and babes in bikinis. Just a downhill run away.

See ya!

[Tyyrus]

Well,Tyyrus, I'm a tad slow, but I've finally taken the hint and suggestion.

No more NA$CAR for me!
Nope!

I'm headin' for the beach for some other sport like volleyball.
Thanx for the suggestion.

Cheesecake and whine. That's the life for me.
And the weather is perfect.
Nobody at the beach ever whines for snow.
Why would they anyway? It's only about a two hour drive to the snow. Then, it's whineski and cheeseski and babes in bikinis. Just a downhill run away.

See ya!

Don't forget your Sun Screen..Eh !