Three Themes: Change, Safety and Recession
Other than the welcomed sunshine of Texas, there appear to be three themes
emerging in this young season.
1. Change:
Driver changes and team changes have finally begun -- and in my opinion some
drivers seem to be on the decline (Petty, Sauter) and I really can't say how much
longer survival is guaranteed.
Strangely, the most exciting racing is among the few drivers trying to acquire at
least the 35th rung -- strange because it is somewhat exciting, also strange
because this rule should not live another day.
2. Safety:
Despite other COT issues, real or perceived, Texas showed the positive side of
research -- namely the safer barriers (perhaps time for them to be used on other
walls as well) and the overall COT safety. After all, we just have to ask those who impacted them.
3.Recession:
Not what you are expecting. I'm sure that plans are being bent (to some degree)
by those fans (and near fans) as to race attendance, but I am more curious over
logistics/fuel costs for NASCAR teams as they haul cars, etc. around the country.This
will have a telling marginal effect on the "bottom line"-- of course without more
hard data that effect is hard to calculate; but we know it can't be good. I estimated that to travel to all 36 events is around 56000 miles of driving -- and that is just a 'straight' round trip from Charlotte.
So let's see where these themes take us. Hey,you never know TV viewership may go up.After all, some may be staying home.
-- Michael