21 replies to this topic

[longtimeracefan101]

At least 50000 empty seats I attended both nights at the dirt trackas I've done the previous 10 years the worst Crowd I've ever seen there. The racing at the dirt track is actually fairly good especially the wingless and the IMCA mods.

[Skull]

I got a chuckle out of D.W. and Larry Mac at the beginning of the race when they raved about the size of the crowd. Reminded me of Bob Uecker and his color guy on the radio in Major League trying to convince the listeners that their was a large and enthusiastic crowd at the Indians home opener.

[LM63]

Look around you. There are not many people at any race tracks anymore. Nascar tracks over built when going to a race was the "in" thing for casual sports fans. Those people were never really race fans of any kind.  Face it there are fewer and fewer people interested in watching cars go around in circles. Just the signs of the times I'm afraid. People would rather sit on there couch and stare at there phone, TV, tablet, or whatever.   I know there are a few exceptions to this and there is blame to go around plenty.

[Skull]

Look around you. There are not many people at any race tracks anymore. Nascar tracks over built when going to a race was the "in" thing for casual sports fans. Those people were never really race fans of any kind.  Face it there are fewer and fewer people interested in watching cars go around in circles. Just the signs of the times I'm afraid. People would rather sit on there couch and stare at there phone, TV, tablet, or whatever.   I know there are a few exceptions to this and there is blame to go around plenty.

#1, economy, #2, NASCAR's product flat out sucks. I get that there are many other entertainment options today than a decade ago, but nice race tracks with an entertaining program still draw profitable crowds. Those are the venues I choose to patronize.

Since NASCAR doesn't need all of the cookie cutter mile and a half tracks that seat 150k plus or all the luxury boxes anymore, they should consider smaller, tighter tracks that are conducive to better racing. Loosen the cars up and put them on harder tires so that the art of driving a race car takes precedence over micro engineering. They might, at least get more tv viewers interested.

[vinnydock92]

10-4 Skull, north wilkesboro, rockingham, just 2 name a couple

[Racer17L]

Skull +1 for the Major League reference haha!

[Squirrely Hilly]

If you think local raving is in any better shape just look around. Plenty of empty seats that used to be taken even at precious Lernerville on Fridays. Too many other more comfortable and interesting entertainment options. Most racing that's days including dirt tracks are not that interesting. A few guys with money dominate. No new fans to replace the old ones. What happens in NASCAR trickles down so don't be too happy to see NASCAR on the decline!

[The Legend]

Just look at the " big P " their " hay day " was in the mid to late 90's .....

[TEAM29]

JMO I thought that race was boring just like the other "cookie cutters"....can scrap everyone of those tracks and would not hurt my feelings...

[The Legend]

18 races at Bristol with the old configuration and 18
Races at martinsville would be more interesting. And run heat races and b mains and only the top 24 race the feature .... That would be interesting

[Crusty1]

JMO
I don't think the overall product is that bad the mile and half tracks are what they are.
The Legend might have something with the heat races,Skull the hard tires and some of the good old tracks would be good.

But, what I think kills a cup race weekend is all the extra cost, it's just out of control.
The hotels charge 2-3 times the normal rate the food cost is high,parking.....
Add the great TV coverage why spend all the money?
For years I have gone to 4-5 cup races per year now maybe 1, I would rather spend the money at local dirt track in Western & Central Pa.

I'm a diehard race fan that still like all the NASCAR series along with local dirt and asphalt racing.

[racer111]

Skull is correct...wait til they are at Bristol or Martinsville...place will be packed...I am a NASCAR fan, but even I don't sit and watch these 1.5 mile tracks...no competition on this size of a track.  NASCAR needs to wake up and add more smaller tracks and get rid of some of these 1.5 mile deals.

[longtimeracefan101]

Skull is correct...wait til they are at Bristol or Martinsville...place will be packed...I am a NASCAR fan, but even I don't sit and watch these 1.5 mile tracks...no competition on this size of a track.  NASCAR needs to wake up and add more smaller tracks and get rid of some of these 1.5 mile deals.

[longtimeracefan101]

Bristol wil be only I'll bet 3/4 full.

[jo73]

Bristol, packed ? We went to both races last year. The spring race, the place almost looked empty. The fall night race, we actually went over to the front straight and sat in open seats. We moved twice, just to get a different view and never where we asked to move. Mostly people in groups sit across from there favorite driver to see pit stops. I agree they need to get to tracks they have not run. Dear nascar, please go to eldora and look how they PACK the place for the truck race. ARCA, I think runs Duquion, 1 mile dirt, Do you think they would come if nascar went there ? It would be insane. Nascar better look at something. msnbc to televise the second half of the season. Be like indy cars soon, nobody watching from TV either. There ratings must be tanking also.

[Skull]

If you think local raving is in any better shape just look around. Plenty of empty seats that used to be taken even at precious Lernerville on Fridays. Too many other more comfortable and interesting entertainment options. Most racing that's days including dirt tracks are not that interesting. A few guys with money dominate. No new fans to replace the old ones. What happens in NASCAR trickles down so don't be too happy to see NASCAR on the decline!

With that attitude, why bother?

You don't get, do you? Back gate doesn't work anymore, and neither does what NASCAR is currently doing.

[racer111]

Well whatever, they better do something...someone mentioned bringing the old tracks back...maybe that would work...but I also agree there are a lot of factors working against racing...people now have many more options for entertainment then they did 10 years ago...NASCAR at Syracuse, think about that one, can you imagine them funneling into that back stretch?

[Skull]

Skull +1 for the Major League reference haha!

Hey Taylor, hows your wife and my kids?

[Chad's Dad]

Since somebody mentioned North Wilkesboro, here is a long but interesting read...

 

http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar 

[Skull]

Since somebody mentioned North Wilkesboro, here is a long but interesting read...
 
http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar 

Thanks for posting the link. Great read.