NASCAR and Its Declining Attendance
For those of us who are and have been dedicated NASCAR fans for years (or even decades) the question we sometimes ask is: Why is attendance declining in NASCAR? I have been wondering the same and and as a result of my curiosity I searched for possible reasons as to why attendance continues to decline in NASCAR.
According to an article on Forbes.com, a few reasons are: high price of gas cutting back travel, cost of hotel rooms and food, bored by lack of drama, and ticket prices at the track. Joe Baumann of Erie, PA "thought that races with boxier and safer cars were not as exciting as they used to be." In response, NASCAR is looking to make improvements to regain interest from those fans who lost interest in the sport.
The Washington Post stated that NASCAR Chief Executive Brian France is looking for ways to make NASCAR's car more "racey after NASCAR mandated a single body shape for all of its cars in 2007." In addition, France recently decided on making the races start earlier and on at a more consistent start time.
NASCAR is aware of the declining attendance and is working on making changes to address the issue. We will not find out whether these changes will be successful until racing starts next year. However, for those who have decided to attend fewer races or not to attend any races at all, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons as to why each person has made that decision. On the other hand, for those of us who remain NASCAR fans, we can only hope that these changes will bring about a positive effect for the future and for the betterment of the sport.
And that's the view from here.
LK
Comments
I must have missed something in this article...you really didn't say anything we haven't heard before..over and over. The race times are the least of NASCAR's problems..the cars are a MAJOR issue, the constant "changing of the rules" (or lack thereof) are a MAJOR issue (i.e. "debris cautions" wave arounds, lucky dogs, start and park. wishy washy tolerances, WAY to long of races, too long of season, the "contrived" chase to a championship (if they want 10 races to crown a champion they should have a ten race season or take the other 31 cars off the track and let the 12 duke it out man on man) cookie cutter tracks etc. etc.. AND why have 12 in the Chase..but only 10 go to the banquet..after all that work ALL 12 teams deserve the accolade at the end of the season. NOW..this said..I love racing..all forms..and I try NOT to miss a race,,albeit I do "channel surf" during the "slow boring middle" parts of the races. With this being said..I am an avid fan..and I see all these problems..how does NASCAR hope to get new fans..and keep them interested and involved when a long time fan like me has trouble staying awake and alert and involved with the racing?
Posted by: lydia | October 24, 2009 8:27 AM
Been a NASCAR and David Reutimann fan for years. I go once a year to Atlanta because of the race prices.
Posted by: zhills fan | October 24, 2009 9:49 AM
I know my wife and I stopped attending Dover after 10 straight years. There were multiple reasons. Parking, the croud, lack of any action on the track. The COT finally killed it though. We never liked the IROC series, and that is what Cup racing is now. We went to just watching it on TV. However, even now that is getting harder and harder. Cookie cutter drivers, tracks, and horrible coverage by all networks. What is the mole all about on fox? Digger, lol. I don't watch Nascar to watch cartoons, trust me. And ESPN? They don't even cover the race, just to busy patting themselves on the back all race long. They never stop talking about themselves, especially Dale Jarret. So, Nascar has multiple issues to take care of in my opinion.
Posted by: JohnP | October 24, 2009 10:14 AM
One more thing.
Lower the banking in turns 1&2 at Talledega and Daytona and lose the restrictor plates.
Posted by: tom1194 | October 24, 2009 11:55 AM
I am a long time NASCAR fan and season ticket holder. Has anyone considered the effect of high definition TV. Even though I attend two races a year it is diffult for me to justify paying $100 to see the race in person when i can see it so much better at home in front of my High Def TV.
Posted by: Mike Sonke | October 24, 2009 12:02 PM
As a long time fan, it's been hard watching the sport I've loved become a boring parade of follow the leader. The fact that one organization dominates also hurts the sport. There are those of us that have other favorite drivers that we never get to see on tv if they're not amongst the chosen. I've quit watching races, but if nas$car makes some drastic changes I would come back. I'm not holding my breath on that one as long as Nero France is running the show.
Posted by: midasmicah | October 24, 2009 1:05 PM
I have grown tired of NASCAR's bias for certain GM Teams. This appears in the race, in the broadcast and in NASCAR's advertising. I no longer watch pre or post race shows and when I watch the race on TV I pay little attention to the play by play but follow the racers progress on the internet.
Posted by: Yurko Penner | October 24, 2009 1:28 PM
I agree. Very well written. You know what you are talking about. I hope you plan to write more on this topic.
Posted by: best consolidation loan student | October 24, 2009 5:10 PM
I think have slowly given up my tickets to races because the racing has over time become boring. Why? I believe as the speeds have become faster the beating and banging have become less and the racing is no longer as exciting. Double file restarts have made the racing much better.
Posted by: Lee Pepin | October 24, 2009 5:41 PM