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Because of all the misconceptions in the other NASCAR Dad posts, I feel a separate post is necessary to clear the air on some issues.
NASCAR is not just a southern sport. It was until CBS and ESPN started broadcasting the races in the 1980s. Back then, the only tracks located outside the south were in Pocono, PA, Dover, DE, Brooklyn, MI, and Riverside, CA. Today, FOX and NBC broadcast the races and the popularity has spread all over the country. New tracks seating 100,000 or more have sprung up in places like Kansas, New Hampshire, and Chicago. Existing tracks in Indianapolis, IN, Phoenix, AZ, and Watkins Glenn, NY now host races. The majority of NASCAR fans are no longer southerners. In fact, I saw a marketing survey a few years ago that had Pennsylvania as the number one state in the number of NASCAR fans. Michigan and Indiana now have more NASCAR fans than Alabama or Mississippi.
NASCAR drivers once were all southern good ole’ boys. That too has changed. Most of today’s top drivers come from Indiana, California, Wisconsin, and other non-southern states. Last year’s champion came from Wisconsin. Many of these drivers came from the sprint car and Indy car ranks.
The landscape has changed dramatically, and that’s also true of the fans.
While you still encounter a few “good ole’ boys”, the vast majority of the fans are just regular middle class working people. Ticket prices are often $100.00 each or more, so chances are ole’ Bubba working down at the Goodyear store won’t be taking his family to many NASCAR races. I know many, many democrats that are NASCAR fans, including a university professor and a lawyer. Many NASCAR fans are union members, and the majority of them vote democrat. Yes, the repubs still have the edge overall, but for the democrats to totally ignore over 50 million NASCAR fans would be a huge mistake. This group needs to be educated on why so many of them are losing their jobs to free trade and outsourcing.
The racial issue relating to NASCAR is a touchy subject and quite difficult to explain to someone not involved with the sport. Most of these drivers have 10-15 years experience in lower divisions before they make the big time. Many of the best drivers never made it until they reached their 30s.
Even the new young guns started racing midgets when they were about 10 or 12 and made it big in their mid-20s in NASCAR. These guys grew up in racing families, which leads to........how many African-American racing families do you know? How many African-Americans do you know who are even interested in racing? With the new TV package, more will be attracted to the sport and you will eventually see more involved in the sport. It’s happening to an extent today as you see more working as crew members or in marketing. One day, a Tiger Woods of racing will come along, and the sport will be changed forever. As it stands now, the talent pool of African-American drivers is minuscule, and it’s not just NASCAR. It’s the same with Formula One, Indy Racing, USAC Sprints, and all the others. Why is it that NASCAR is constantly hit with the “racism” charge when they’re the only sanctioning body spending significant amounts of money on diversity? They and their sponsors would love nothing more than to attract a few million more fans to the sport.
As for NASCAR being boring, well I use to think that myself. Then one day a friend gave me a free ticket to a race. It’s a different world when you’re at the track and learn the lingo. I’ve also enjoyed Indy races and sprints, but the NASCAR events are more of a “happening” than just a race.
Hope this helps. Harvey says hello.:)
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