The View from Here: The Business of NASCAR

I remember as a youngster that we had to come up with games to play (especially during summer vacation when it rained). One of those was taking a deck of cards and building a “house of cards”. Of course, the foundation was very strong–often several cards long. But as the “house” was built, tensions mounted. Ultimately, the house collapsed, not because of a weak foundation but because of trembling hands as we added to the levels of the “house”.

I’m struck by how much NASCAR might be experiencing the “trembling of hands”. First, the fall-off of attendance at races. Then, the diminished TV viewership (albeit, better this year–Gas Prices?). Then, the lawsuit brought by a NASCAR official for sexual and racial discrimination and unlawful employment termination. Now, the economy, which has affected so many aspects of NASCAR–attendance at races, gas prices for teams traveling here and there, termination of the Nationwide series race in Mexico City in 2009, loss of sponsors–including auto manufacturers of races at a couple of tracks. And the list goes on. Add to it the debacle at the Brickyard (those in the “know” are still writing about it).

So, is the “trembling hand” perched above NASCAR? Is the “house” about to crumble? Or worse, for NASCAR to lose its ability to say it’s the “second most popular sport” in the Usof A?

I don’t agree with “Chicken-licken”–the sky’s not falling–YET. And that’s the view from here. Jon