Armchair Quarterback: NASCAR No. 1 with Americans
Why is it NASCAR has flourished into a multi-billion dollar industry with over 75 million fans, while other modes of racing can barely make it — especially in America?
I was reading on the ESPN Website about comments made recently by Ron Dennis, head of the McLaren team in Formula One racing. Dennis said he is puzzled how NASCAR is able to generate so much revenue and interest despite the fact it is “boring” and Formula One is the superior product.
Well, we can stop right there, because it’s obvious Dennis has inhaled too much exhaust from his pompous McLaren engines over the years.
He, along with Formula One, the IRL and all of the European-based racing outfits, has missed the marketing boat and has also missed the key to what attracts 200,000 fans to Daytona for the Daytona 500.
I think the number one thing which attracts and keeps fans in NASCAR is its group of drivers. If you know a NASCAR fan then you likely know a rabidly loyal fan who refers to his favorite racer by a first name like Rusty, Dale or Jeff. People are able to identify with their favorite driver, making it somewhat akin to a Warren countian rooting for the Titans on Sunday, using words like “we” when referring to their favorite driver.
This is because they look like us, talk like us and act like us. They drive cars that, although admittedly are nowhere near street-legal stock, are car models we can all go out to the showroom and own. You’ve got to remember the old adage, “win on Sunday, sell on Monday.”
Formula One and the other European circuits cannot offer such identification with their fans. Heck, you can barely understand the winning driver when he’s interviewed on the podium because of the thick foreign accent. Face it, Americans have very few foreign heroes. That’s just the way it works here, right or wrong. Add this to the fact Formula One runs just one American race, and what do you expect?
The same goes to a degree to IRL even though there are more American drivers and the races are held mostly in U.S. and Canada. The IRL drivers seem to have this condescending tone about them and aren’t as approachable as a Bill Elliot or Jimmy Spencer. This, with one notable exception in the person of Paul Tracy, who is arguably the most popular open-wheel racer in the country. He’s kind of the Jimmy Spencer of open-wheel and he does have a loyal fan base. Tracy’s popularity goes to show a racer outside NASCAR can have success if he connects with the fans.
In addition to the personalities, we, as NASCAR fans, also have a thing for the beating and banging. We enjoy it when the drivers swap paint and play a little dirty. Face it, you get even a few feet from one another in an open-wheel vehicle and someone is going to get hurt bad. It takes an entire facet out of the race entertainment. Come on, we all know rubbing is racing.
And lastly, while road courses may bring out the best in drivers, they are painfully boring to watch, both in person and on television. There’s very little passing, the crashes leave a lot to be desired and the field tends to get spread out meaning there is less racing action. Watching a road course race is basically like watching one big time trial.
While it’s difficult for me to envision open-wheel ever achieving the popularity of NASCAR, it would be a good idea for them to study the success of stock car racing rather than criticize it.
As for NASCAR itself, we go into Rockingham today with Little E leading the points race for the first time in his career after his historic sweep at Daytona last week. However, holding the lead will be difficult since he is yet to post a top 10 at the Rock.
He will be starting seventh today behind the Rocket Man, Ryan Newman, who took the pole with a 23.398 lap. A couple of his fellow youngsters, Jamie McMurray, second, and rookie Kasey Kahne will be joining him near the front of the field after they were able to bump early fast times by Rusty Wallace, looking for his first win since 2001, and Jeff Gordon.
Given his qualifying and his track record last year, it’s hard to bet against Newman this week.