Thomas Bowles · Wednesday November 23, 2011
*Did You Notice?*… Regardless of your opinion on how to fix it, NASCAR’s audience and its business model are heading in two very divergent directions. Clearly, on the heels of Stewart-Edwards it seems the six-year decline NASCAR’s been involved in, through both ratings and attendance may be bottoming out. The ratings for the season finale alone, released Tuesday provided the highest viewership ever seen for NASCAR since it moved back to ESPN in 2007. With a television audience of 6,799,000, it was the perfect capper on a Chase that posted year-to-year increases in seven of ten televised events. Even if you include the rain-postponed Chicagoland event, posting half of its typical audience the ABC/ESPN numbers increased sharply from 2010 lows.
On the attendance front, the trends were mixed with tracks like Bristol posted precipitous declines while others, like Homestead, Fontana, and Phoenix saw their numbers rise. That’s far from perfect, but better than the bottomless fallout we’ve seen since the Great Recession that’s taken place these past few seasons. Certainly, NASCAR enters next season in far healthier shape than its counterpart, open-wheel, while remaining in the mix as one of the top 5 most popular sports in the country.

Some tracks still saw large gaps in their attendance numbers, but others saw increases, leading to hope that there is a light to end of the tunnel of constant decline. Photo courtesy of Rick Lunkenheimer.
With that in mind, explain these two differing sets of news headlines to me. In IndyCar, we’ve seen a handful of teams and drivers – Ed Carpenter, Charlie Kimball (Chip Ganassi ownership), for example – announce long-term sponsor and owner agreements for 2012. By and large, despite a tragedy (Dan Wheldon) and a body-blow departure (Danica Patrick) there’s still money and companies available to bring new teams into the fold. On the flip side, let’s check out the NASCAR new teams entering Sprint Cup next year. Well, we’ve got Clint Bowyer, running the new 5-Hour Energy Car for Michael Waltrip Racing in a full-time effort. And then there’s… there’s…
Yeah, that about describes it. Instead, the headlines this week read Roush Fenway Racing laying off 33% of its workforce, downsizing by a team while Red Bull Racing prepares to shutter its operation and lay off another 150. Add in RCR’s downsizing, from four cars to three and you’ve got a net loss of three “locked in,” top-35 programs entering next year’s Daytona 500.
How bad has it gotten? For another client, part of my job is to rank the top 30 drivers competing full-time in 2012. Four years ago, it took several agonizing hours to organize and then cut down the list to just 30 viable candidates. This year? It took me the better part of 20 minutes. In fact, the hardest part was finding numbers 29 and 30; by my count, there’s just 28 confirmed, full-time drivers running the full schedule without start-and-parking although 24-25 of those are capable of making the Chase.
With those numbers, NASCAR’s top priority entering 2012 is twofold. First, they need to entice new ownership to take the leap similar to the way IndyCar is trying to pull people into their series. Then, they need to work on sponsorship, either convincing new companies to come on board with teams, not themselves while trying to find some way for these private contractors to further cut or limit their spending.
Otherwise, the risk remains that despite a possible upswing, NASCAR as we know it is still in perilous danger. As the NBA has shown us, just because you have a successful product people watch doesn’t guarantee its ability to remain functional each week. The lockout happened because a bunch of NBA owners claimed they were losing money. In NASCAR, it’s more simple than that; if owners lose too much cash, they close their teams and simply go away, removing one more car from the grid. So if a lot of people keep losing, regardless of ratings the sport’s business model will eventually cause the entire industry to fall flat on its face. We’re still waiting for that to self-adjust… will it happen?
*Did You Notice?*… The booing of Michelle Obama by fans on Sunday? Clearly, politics has polarized our public more than at any time in our nation’s history. But isn’t a sports event, glorified entertainment at its finest a place where we leave those opinions at the door? No one goes to see a race to showcase how they feel about the President. They go there, like they did on Sunday to see good, hard-nosed competition and find an enjoyable escape from their lives for three hours.
Here’s the way I view this issue, Republican or Democrat aside. All the time, NASCAR honors military veterans through all types of special ceremonies, charitable initiatives, and sponsorships. Heck, two years ago on Memorial Day they stopped the race for a moment of silence to honor those who have served our country. No one ever boos an Iraq war hero, or a General visiting pit road about to be deployed to Afghanistan, or the wife of a special ops member who gave his life to the cause of protecting our country.
Well, like it or not folks Michelle Obama is part of that military family, too. She’s the wife of the President, who also, last I checked the history books serves as our Commander In Chief. You may disagree with her politics, but why does that matter in the middle of a race weekend where her presence is merely to help honor those who serve? There’s a chance to express your displeasure with the current regime: at town hall meetings, through formal protests, and at the ballot box this coming November. But in the middle of NASCAR pre-race ceremonies? With thousands of impressionable children present, looking how to act at these types of public functions? Wrong place, wrong time. It’s as simple as that.
Did You Notice? … Some quick hits:
- I don’t understand why J.D. Gibbs won’t let Greg Zipadelli out of his contract. (It runs through 2012, but sources tell me Zippy wants out in order to jump over to Stewart-Haas Racing next year). For a dozen years, Zippy has done everything this organization has asked, including taking care of a cantankerous Stewart in the early years while delivering two titles, nearly three dozen wins and propped up Joey Logano for three years.
- This Silly Season, it was clearly the drivers, not the crew chiefs who moved around. Entering 2012, only about 15 crew chiefs will begin the year in the same position and team they were in as of February, 2011 – that’s roughly half of what that number looks like on the driver side.
- Matt McLaughlin mentioned the Kurt Busch rager, so I won’t double up on it here. But here’s another question: who’s gutsy enough to step up and be Busch’s crew chief next year, after the way he’s handled both Pat Tryson and Steve Addington? Who in their right mind would volunteer to take that type of weekly abuse? I think it’s going to be a harder position to fill than even insiders at Penske Racing might think.
And as for Addington… how in the world do you go from Kyle Busch, to Kurt Busch, to Tony Stewart? Is this guy a glutton for punishment? The poor man needs two years with Trevor Bayne, at minimum to regain some semblance of normalcy after all he’s been through.
- Chris Heroy is the new crew chief for Juan Pablo Montoya. Chris who? The same engineer who was responsible for Mark Martin’s resurgence during his 2009, runner-up season and has also helped Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s recovery at Hendrick Motorsports. Assuming he can handle the promotion, look back on this hire in six months; it could be the most significant shuffle we’ll see in the offseason, considering how badly Earnhardt Ganassi needs to retool their cars in order to get back on track.
- And before we take off, a quick note as this column is my last before Frontstretch enters “winter vacation.” (I’ll still pop up every now and then, here and on “Twitter)”:http://www.twitter.com/NASCARBowles/ I want to just take a moment and thank everyone who’s followed my ups and downs this season in what’s certainly been a rather unusual year. Your continued support on here, Athlon, and my work with SIRIUS has meant more than even the best wordsmith can relate.
With that, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, wonderful Holiday Season and look forward to a rebuilding, refreshed start to the year in 2012.
Connect with Tom!

Contact Tom Bowles
NEW YEAR? NEW NEWSLETTER. LOOKING FOR THE INFO YOU NEED ABOUT NASCAR IN 2013 – SENT RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL INBOX?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. The Frontstretch Newsletter gives you more of the daily news, commentary, and racing features from your favorite writers you know and love. Don’t waste another minute – click here to sign up and get all the information you need. We’re here to make sure you stay informed … so make sure you jump on for the ride!
©2000 - 2008 Thomas Bowles and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!

First off: Many NBA owners ARE losing money. It was different in the NFL. The NBA has guaranteed contracts which kill them. Regardless, I hope the whole season gets cancelled. I could care less for the NBA.
Second: The “first lady” was there for votes. And we remember the remarks made by her and Barack Hussein Obama regarding nascar fans and believers in the second amendment. They specifically said that they wanted to FUNDAMENTALLY change the country. Ponder that for a while.
While I’m VERY happy someone other than JJ won….it’s still another Hendrick car. The man and organization with all the money and power. It’s where everybody wishes to be. Just let him field 42 cars and be done with it. The Hendrick Cup.
Oh, look…..Roush Fenway Racing laying off 33% of its workforce, downsizing by a team while Red Bull Racing prepares to shutter its operation and lay off another 150.
And there’s another problem….NO kids that I know of have ANY interest in Nascar. Last week I tried explaining the chase and points system to my cousins teenager and got the “deer in the headlights” look. He shrugged and went back to his playstation.
The fans need to “occupy nascar”.
If you believe the First Lady was there to Honor the Military, I feel sorry for you and better understand why this Country is in the shape it is.
Most Military Members both past and present are PROUD AND RESPECTFUL of this Country. While both Mr and Mrs Obama have shown thier LACK OF RESPECT AND PRIDE for this Country. So why should those of us who are PROUD of this Country show RESPECT for those that are not.
I DO NOT REMEMBER nascar ever STOPPING a race to Honor the Military. Humpy and Charolette Motor Speedway have always done a GREAT JOB of Honoring the Troops on Memorial Day, but stoppoing a race. I do not believe so.
As a DAV I threw up a little in my mouth when I read “…is part of that military family, too.”
No, not at all. The CinC is not part of the Military. His family is in no way a military family.
Every CinC is a civilian. Always have been. They make none of the sacrifices our military personnel and families make.
Why is IndyCar getting new sponsorship while NA$CAR isn’t?
Simple.
It costs around $5-6 million to sponsor an IndyCar team for an entire year. In NA$CAR it costs $25-30 million to sponsor a team for a year.
NA$CAR is pricing itself out of the market. It now takes two, three, four or more sponsors to cover the cost for a season for one team. With the big guys taking up all the sponsorship dollars to cover their teams, there are fewer sponsors to pay for the little guys.
If this trend in NA$CAR continues, they’re going to price themselves rith out of business.
doug from eastern NC
11/23/2011 10:44 AM
permalink
Thomas,Michelle didn’t booed, no the Bush family got booed. Kyle and Kurt Bush, now they get booed.
Yvon, wcfan, & Dennis
It was still a rude thing to do, and dare I say, cowardly. It is ever so easy to boo and catcall inside a crowd. Doing so changes nothing you do not like, but nevertheless shows you for what you are: a yahoo.
My opinion.
I say boo to you AncientRacer-You’ve complained and belittled people this past year in many posts.
My opinion.
AncientRacer
Respect is EARNED
And this family has shown nothing but DISREPECT for the people of this Country.
The First Lady was FAR from the First Non Racer/Celb Booed at the Race Track.
All this was was a Photo Op and they got Exactly what they wanted. A mainly WHITE, SOUTHERN CROWD showing thier displeasure.
doug from eastern NC
11/23/2011 12:55 PM
permalink
I would have booed her even if i was close enough to touch her. Cowardly my @ss.
Ancient Racer,
For the most part I agree with you. But where politics are concerned, we the people are so unimpowered and our choices are limited to candidates that don’t represent us; millionaire A vs millionaire B (and I’m NOT one that thinks the Occupy crowd is accomplishing anything). Sometimes it just seems like our only recourse is to BOO. About right now, from my point of view, I’d boo any member of Congress, Senate or Executive branch regardless of their party because they are not getting the job done and are not representing the majority of their constituents. So, yes, booing doesn’t solve anything but neither does voting it seems.
Regarding the booing of the FLOTUS, you say:
“Wrong place, wrong time. It’s as simple as that.”
Respectfully disagree, sir. (respectfully) Not so simple, I surmise.
The Obamas are pro-abort, pro-sodomy (same-se* “marriage”), pro-euthanasia, pro-fetal and embryonic stem-cell research, etc. etc. (moral issues, not political issues)
NASCAR fans, last I checked, are mostly God fearing folk – and mostly do not support the above issues of morality.
Whereas, if it had been GWB per chance, he would have been received rather warmly because of his stance against said moral issues (now, his wife waffles on some of those, granted).
In my opinion, (just an opinion…granted), this is why those folks booed the FLOTUS.
I would have too.
doug from eastern NC
11/23/2011 02:53 PM
permalink
Give me a break Kevin! I’m a small government conservative and Ive been a Nascar fan for 40 years. My feelings about abortion, gay marriage and religion are none of your god damned business. The only thing that should matter here is racing! The country is in an economic tailspin and you want me to worry about moral issues?? Bullshit. We do need new leadership but leadership that focuses on getting our economy up and running again, so spare me that God-fearing bullshit. You worship your way; I’ll worship mine; privately. As to the booing, I would never vote for Obama in a thousand years but its really classy to boo two women…really really classy. So much for southern hospitality!
Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend
Thank you Chairman Mao and a happy thanksgiving to you and yours!!! Maybe Chairman Brian will lead a new Nascar cultural revolution! LOL
I’m surprised Addington didn’t ask you for a critique of Stewart before he OPTED to go to Stewart Haas. Let’s see, gee…. Stewart doesn’t like the media, probably
all the media Mr. Bowles. That makes him exactly like the rest of us.
Can’t add much to what Don Mei has said, but as one of those liberal pinko’s that Kevin clearly has issues with I might point out that I have attended many, many races and have sat quietly through the years as NASCAR has paraded Republican after Republican in front of me. Sitting quietly out of respect as well as indifference to whoever the politician of the week is. I’m there to watch a race. Booing Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden was classless. But then again, who should be surprised to find there are some classless folks at a NASCAR race?
wcfan — The Coca Cola 600 in 2009 was rained out that Sunday and we lost out generator in our motor home. We debated not holding over for the Monday race (Memorial Day) but did and have always been glad we did. NASCAR honored President Obama’s request for a moment of silence by at 3:00 pm red flagging the race and having all the cars kill their engines. It was THE most moving Memorial Day memory of my life. Sorry you missed it…
Dennis: Forgot about Ike?
Technically, he was out of the military when he was President, but the man was a freakin’ five-star general in WWII. Don’t say that he wasn’t a military man.
It was before NASCAR, but Presidents Teddy Roosevelt & U. S. Grant were military guys, too. Oh, yes, let’s not forget George Washington. History says that he was a military guy, too—you know, the leader of our revolutionary troops and called the “father of our country.”
I probably missed some, but these brave military men who became Commanders-in-Chief come to mind immediately.
Tommy “Booing Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden was classless” Have you been to one of there apologue tours , you must have missed that, have fun in your cloud this is the USA we can BOO if we want.
Love the comments about the booing. why boo any one? i have but they were race car drivers. not someone who was just there to be seen. Remember when President ragan came to the 500 and Petty won that race . that was a great day for all of us that live in the usa. But look at our country then and look at it now. What a mess we are in.[BIGGEST MESS I EVER CAN REMEMBER.}
Tom, would you allow me to address Don Mei, please? (delete if you like, I totally understand)
Don, you say:
Give me a break Kevin! I’m a small government conservative and Ive been a Nascar fan for 40 years. (great! me too)
My feelings about abortion, gay marriage and religion are none of your god damned business. (Did not realize I was trying to make it my business, Don, I was making a hypothetical about Some NASCAR fans to Tom, not you personally)
The only thing that should matter here is racing! (Um, the FLOTUS and SLOTUS are political figures, yes?)
The country is in an economic tailspin and you want me to worry about moral issues?? (you can worry about whatever you like, I suppose – but, maybe the acceptance of such moral issues is the reason our country is in an “economic tailspin,” yes?)
Bullshit. (I call it El Toro Caca – sounds less vulgar)
We do need new leadership but leadership that focuses on getting our economy up and running again, (an opinion I share to a degree but, maybe we should clean up our act some so the Good Lord will continue to bless America, per chance?)
so spare me that God-fearing bullshit. (wasn’t directly addressing you, Don, but may I ask you to spare me your non God fearing El Toro Caca?)
You worship your way; I’ll worship mine; privately. (hmm, so I am not supposed to follow the Divine Commission and “Make disciples out of all nations” [Mt. 28:19-20] then? Oh, right, you said “privately” – since you posted it on the world wide web your way is not so “private,” is it?)
As to the booing, I would never vote for Obama in a thousand years but its really classy to boo two women…really really classy. So much for southern hospitality!
(um, maybe those moral issues they so worship aren’t considered too “classy” by some of those who booed, yes?)
Peace to you!
Let’s face it folks Michelle Obama and the shoe leather taste testing vice president had no business being there. If it were not for an election year coming up neither one of them would have been within a thousand miles of the racetrack. One reader had it right only there to garner votes for her lame blame game husband. The only reason she is part of ther military is because of the empty headed people who helped her husband get elected.
No Spin – Never insinuated that you are prohibited from acting in a classless manner…only that it is classless.
Tommy
Thanks for the info about red flagging the 2009 World 600 to Honor the Military. I missed that and then stuck my foot in my mouth to boot.
“You may disagree with her politics, but why does that matter in the middle of a race weekend where her presence is merely to help honor those who serve?”
Ms. Soetero was there to garner votes for her husband Barry, and nothing else. She was using the Sniper and Children as human sheilds to the inevitable boos.
Boo! She was out of her element, she had no real business being there.Who invited them anyhow? No one who comes to a race wants to be reminded of our horrible political situation on race day.She don’t give a damn about our troops and we all know it.
Contact Tom Bowles
Recent articles from Tom Bowles:
Did You Notice? ... Saturday Night Slowdowns, Clinching The Postseason Early And Quick Hits
Did You Notice?... Penske's Appeal Resolution Still Comes With Unanswered Questions
Did You Notice? ... Silly Season Checkup And NASCAR's Youth Problem
Did You Notice? ... "Cheating" Equals Credibility Crisis, Who NASCAR's Chasing And Dodging Brands
Did You Notice? ... NASCAR Penalties: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
If you want to know more about Tom Bowles or to view all of his articles here at the Frontstretch, check out his archive and bio page.
Want even more Tom Bowles? Check out Tom's archive at SI.com.