NASCAR will survive the economic crisis
NASCAR has been the subject of criticism almost since it’s inception in 1948. I guess that’s pretty much true of any sport that some people just don’t understand. However, the current economic crisis has moved the target from the politics and safety of NASCAR, to the fuel being used.
Bootleggers were really the original stock car racers. However, they were in competition with the police rather than other drivers. The bootleggers needed a way to get their products to the customers and therefore modified smaller, lighter vehicles in order to evade the police. The modifications not only allowed the cars to go faster but they also changed the cargo areas to accommodate their unusual load. After Prohibition, moonshine was still popular with some folks so the drivers now had to evade the tax man rather than the police. Some of the drivers came to love the pursuit and the thrill of driving on the winding dirt roads and began organizing races with their peers.
Eventually the races became major events set up by promoters. One of the popular races at the time was held in Daytona Beach, Florida. The winner of the 1938 event was William France, Sr, who wanted to organize the events in order to protect drivers from shady promoters and standardize the rules and regulations. In 1947 he got together with some other popular drivers and promoters, of the time, and the result was the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR.
The first season of unified series racing ran from January to December of 1947 and included 24 races. The top prize was $1,000 along with a trophy and an additional $3,000 went to other drivers who competed. Today a typical series may include 36 races with prize money of up to $4 million at each event.
NASCAR has been criticized for it’s lack of concern for safety almost since it started. Only in the last few years have they really begun making lifesaving changes. For the most part the safety precautions were not mandatory and therefore were not enforced. It wasn’t until the death of one of the sports most popular drivers, Dale Earnhardt, in 2001 that they began taking safety more seriously. Some of the changes that were made included the seats, seat belts and harnesses and the wall barriers. As a testament to the effectiveness, there has not been a death in any of NASCARs’ three major series since 2002.
The number of NASCAR viewers has dropped by about 18% since it’s peak in 2005 and attendance at the races has dropped almost 20%. Some are saying its because of Chrysler and possibly GM going into bankruptcy and the general collapse of the auto industry. Others say that even the fans are concerned about the waste of fuel and the emissions. I say it’s because even NASCAR fans have been affected by the economic crisis. I think that even NASCAR fans are feeling the money crunch due to layoffs and plant closings. I also think that they will be back. Once we weather the current situation, ticket sales will go up and fans will begin ordering pay-per-view again.
While you are waiting, go to www.nascar.tellmeaboutthat.com and check out the latest news, articles and ads. When things turn around you’ll be ready.
