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How about listening to the fans themselves, for a change?
Here are 100,000 voices for NASCAR bosses to listen to: the fans in the grandstands, who deserve a voice (Photo: Dover International Speedway)
By Mike Mulhern
mikemulhern.net
DOVER, Del.
Now that NASCAR's bosses have had their townhall meetings with Cup owners, drivers and crew chiefs, it's time for them to have some townhall meetings with the fans…the people who pay the bills to keep this sport rolling.
In fact, maybe NASCAR executives need a series of such meetings with fans over the summer, at various tracks around the country, to get their input in all of this.
And Las Vegas' end-of-the-season awards deal looks like a perfect place to cap it all off.
Heck, it might even make good TV.
At the moment, three questions are on the table:
1. Will anything really come of this past Tuesday's meeting at the NASCAR R&D center, or was it just PR hoopla, in the face of rising complaints, from disgruntled fans, turned-off TV viewers, frustrated crews and drivers, and financially strapped team owners, increasingly reluctant to change anything that might cost them?
2. What specifically might come of this – better racing through improvements to the car-of-tomorrow, maybe even a time table toward smaller engines, or a switch to plate motors? (How about better traffic control and more asphalt parking lots at tracks like Lowe's Motor Speedway too?)
3. And when will these NASCAR bosses meet the really important players in this game – the fans? A NASCAR-fans meeting should be next on the agenda.
Well, at least NASCAR's France family, which owns and runs this sport, finally acknowledged that maybe some things could be improved. Give Jim France, the real power here, a high-five for that.
Now it's up to Brian France and his sister Lesa France Kennedy to put things in motion.
One thing to consider – a series of tests by a dozen teams or so, at some of the sport's key tracks, like Charlotte's Lowe's and Atlanta and Texas and Kansas City. Monday after those races, have a dozen teams hang around for a day of just testing…and let the crews and drivers decide what to fiddle with. Maybe longer noses, maybe different rear spoilers, maybe different shocks. Set some agendas, let the teams play to the hearts' content, and then assess things.
The first thing that should be done is for NASCAR officials to concede there are major issues with its move to drastically cut downforce on these race cars. That philosophy needs to be scrapped. Drivers like downforce; they perform better, and more aggressively, when their cars have more downforce.
The concept that by taking away downforce drivers would have to work harder is true – so what have drivers done, in response? They essentially wait until the final miles to do all their hard racing. Look at the All-star race just held as example – even with $1 million on the line, the racing was pretty weak until the final 10 laps.
And don't think the fans and viewers don't see it.
Just telling drivers and crews to 'shut up and race' doesn't change the inaction on the track.
For one – there is absolutely no reason that racing at California and Michigan should be so boring.
For two – there is absolutely no reason why the only good racing each weekend is on pit road. (And will somebody tell TV people their coverage of pit stops generally stinks.)
One major PR problem for NASCAR the past two years has been its obstinance. It shoved this new car down teams' throats and then refused to consider any changes.
In retrospect, that was a very bad move.
First, it restrained competition. These cars are now IROC cars, for all intents. And the sport is dominated at the moment by just three operations. The little guys don't have a prayer. And some big players, like Chip Ganassi and Teresa Earnhardt and Richard Petty and the Woods, have really struggled too.
Second, that philosophy runs counter to NASCAR's historic policy of a willingness to change things if what's going on isn't working. Plus, it's counterproductive – just check out the grandstands and consider the TV ratings. NASCAR's policies have turned off a large segment of fans.
Third, it was bad for NASCAR's image. Granted, the no-change decision followed several high-profile controversial moves by NASCAR – like moving the Labor Day Southern 500 from legendary Darlington, S.C., to California Speedway, and dropping North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham from its schedule entirely. But 'no change' has become widely seen as 'head-in-the-sand.'
When Bobby Allison – never one of NASCAR's favorites during his years as one of the sport's big stars – says NASCAR's race cars should more closely resemble what the fans are driving to the tracks.
And he's right.
A clear example -- NASCAR missed a great opportunity to turn around its laggard Nationwide (Busch) series by changing the sheet metal and marketing in that division to a more youth-oriented 'pony-car' image. Mustangs versus Camaros…..that's a no-brainer, in Detroit as well as Daytona.
Four years ago when NASCAR opened its Mexico City venture, officials talked about redefining that tour. But in those four years nothing has changed….except now the promise of expanding the still controversial car-of-tomorrow into that division.
Yes, there is speculation that NASCAR might try to invigorate the Nationwide series by requiring any prospective Cup driver to have at least one year of Nationwide under his/her belt first.
Bad idea.
Good idea: All new Cup drivers also have to run the full Nationwide tour. Think Danica Patrick or Sarah Fisher on Sunday AND Saturday.
Really good idea: piggyback some Indy-car Racing League events with the NASCAR weekend. For sponsors, that's a win-win. Run Indy-cars Friday night, Nationwide Saturday, Cup Sunday.
Even better idea, hire Humpy Wheeler as 'NASCAR promoter-at-large,' and give him a prominent role in making this sport more splashing.
This sport needs fresh, new ideas. Things have simply gotten way too stale.
It's time to ask fans what the next moves should be.
© 2010-2011 www.mikemulhern.net All rights reserved.
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Mike Mike one of the single
Mike
Mike one of the single most thing that Nascar could do to make "raceday" better is start "paying points and or money for leading laps"! Their is no incentive to lead and passing in a race except at the end!
First this would make it better in the early and middle portains of a race, not just the end!
Let each lap count a point, total up and give the winner a bonus! Just because the winner maynot get the most points, he is justified my winning and getting the money! The car or driver fighting for the lead is what is making the race exciting for the fans!
Racing is about passing, under the current system it is about consistency and that is ruining Nascar!
AT least they should try it at selected events, Pocono, Dover, New Hampshire would be good places to try first!
You are so correct, Nascar is talking to the wrong crowd when it talks to owners and big business teams, they want to talk about cutting cost, all the things that make it boring! With all the money in the sport and like the National Guard putting 22 million, and the Army putting 17 million, our taxpayers money in these teams we need imput!
NASCAR would NEVER think
NASCAR would NEVER think about asking the fans....they have made it abundantly clear that long time fans don't matter and they thought we could be replaced...wonder how they think that has worked out for them?
I 100% agree about the Humpy Wheeler idea...Humpy gets it. He has ALWAYS looked out for the blue collar work fan.
I would suspect Humpy might
I would suspect Humpy might rather run IMS and really stick a thumb in Bruton's eye.
From being a fan since The King ran hemi's, I suspect the teams would have been complaining from day one and would not have really made an effort with the COT if they had not been told there were to be no changes.
But then I'm only a fan, and that mean-spirited survivor Lenox Rawlings has made it very clear that NASCAR fans are "ignorant and gullible." Obviously the W-S Journal must agree since the kept Mr. Snide and eliminated your slot.
Brain...eh, Brian France said
Brain...eh, Brian France said he thinks the COT 'puts on a great show'. Since he rarely attends, and obviously doesn't watch the telecasts, it's obvious he has no clue. I suspect that perhaps HE should take a mandatory drug test and see if that's responsible for his ignorance. How can teams 'improve' the COT when they aren't allowed to do anything without being fined? Nothing will come from this, except maybe some more 'gimmicks' that don't make any real changes. Brian France hasn't a clue why fans watch races.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH NASCAR,
WHAT IS WRONG WITH NASCAR, LET ME COUNT THE WAYS. WE AS FANS DO NOT WANT TO SEE KYLE BUSCH OR JIMMY JOHNSON LEAD ALL THE LAPS OR WIN EVERY RACE WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT. IF ONE OF THESE GUYS GET OUT FRONT IS IS OVER. MAYBE THEY DON'T WIN ALL THE TIME,BUT THEY BOTH LEAD MOST OF THE LAPS. WHO WANTS TO TUNE IN TO THAT AND SEE ONE OF THOSE GUYS IN THE LED. THIS COT HAS TO GO OR SOME CHANGE HAS TO HAPPEN TO MAKE THE RACES WORTH WATCHING. DW AND HIS LOVE AFFAIR FOR LITTLE BUSCH AND TOYOTA GETS SICKENING EVERY WEEK AFTER WEEK. BUSCH MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE BUT HIS DEMEANER LACKS SO MUCH TO BE DESIRED. IT IS ONE THING TO BE GOOD {WHICH HE IS} BUT HUMBLENESS WOULD ALSO BE A NICE THING TO SEE FROM HIM. COCKYNESS IS GOOD TO A POINT,BUT HE RUNS IT IN THE GROUND. HE IS NOT THE NASCAR GOD. BUT HE NEVER LEARNS. DALE EARNHARDT IS ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE AT ALL WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE SPORT HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO. NASCAR SHOULD ASK THE FANS WHAT WE THINK, U KNOW WE MADE IT WHAT NASCAR IS, AND WE CAN BRING IT DOWN JUST LIKE WE ARE DOING,NOT WATCHING OR GOING TO SEE A RACE. IF IT KEEPS UP NASCAR WILL BE A HAS BEEN SPORT. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD FOR TONY STEWART AND THE YEAR HE IS HAVING WITH HIS NEW TEAM. AT LEAST WE CAN TUNE IN AND WATCH FOR HIM TO BE A TOP 5 FINISHER AND JR TO SUCK ANOTHER RACE AWAY.
Change qualifying to 20-20
Change qualifying to 20-20 concept.
Quit setting lineup by running specialized setups against the clock, instead force everyone to race for position.
The first 20 is set based on the finishing order of the previous weeks race. Remainder line up and run a short qualifying race (less than a fuel run long). Lineup set by finishing order in previous weeks race, followed by go-homers from previous week, followed by new entries. First 20 across the line take positions 21-40. Last three are provisionals, based on whatever criteria sanctioning body wants to use.
Advantages -
Everyone races. May be in the main, may be in the qualifier, may be both, but if you show up you race. How great would that be for sponsors knowing they have a good chance for exposure each weekend.
Rewards winning - you want a good starting position, good pit selection at the next race, you'd better run good this week. The guys in the top 20 during the race would be racing to make sure they stayed there and those outside would be scrambling to get in so they are assured a spot next week. More excitement than what we have now . . .
Creates Buzz/Builds Fan Interest - No one is talking racing anymore, its all about rainout call, drug testing and Jr. new crew chief. Think of the difference if not only did the 00 win, but he knew he had the pole at Dover and first pit selection? He's sitting 13th, don't you think that would create a buzz on his potential to make the Chase. Don't you think folks would be talking to him. Also, with Jr. rolling off 17th in a qualifier with his best shot is at starting 21st and a chance of not making it at all, do you think he could stand the pressure? Don't you think folks would be talking about that all week? Betcha Mr. Mulhern might even asked Jr. a pointed question or two about his chances. Provides something interesting to talk about, something interesting to report between last Monday and this Sunday.
Cheaper - Eliminates a ton of testing and expense as the qualifying setup is the race setup. Yeah there are few extra laps on the engine, but the qualifier is nothing more than another practice session and hard fuel run with actual competion with someone other than Mr. Timex.
Better Setups = Better Competition - Since race setup is the qualifying setup the teams can put race setups under the cars at the shop and tweak when they get to the track rather than put one setup in to practice, rip it out to qualify, rip that out and put in race setup, etc. Better chance to get the setup right under this scenario.
Enforcement Option - Robby Gordon has an illegal part - sorry. Not only are you penalized and fined but that great third place starting position you earned for Dover, you lose that too - back of the pack in the qualifier to race for 21st starting position. Great deterrent.
Must Race/Can't Ride, Must Run/Can't Hide - since each race builds on the previous, drivers/teams can't slide by one of their bad tracks and pick it up the following week. For example, if you don't like Martinsville and think you'll ride it out . . . think again, cause you may be in a qualifier and fighting for your life at Talladega. Need a good spot for Daytona II, better race good at New Hampshire . . . but wait NH's lineup is set by the finish at Sonoma, so you have to be good on a road course to make it to Daytona. Bottom line you have to race . . . what a novel concept (and something no one is talking abou these days).
Better TV package - What's better viewing, watching some of the potential field race against the clock or race against each other? If qualifiers are good enough for Daytona, why not everywhere else?
Each Race Builds on the Previous Race - mentioned earlier but currently each race stands independent of one another. The only connection from one to the next is the points accumulated and money earned. Under this system, they are all interdependent, woven together to form a true series. You can't talk about Daytona, without talking about NH. You can't talk about NH without talking about Sonoma. Any talk creates more talk about races leading up to this race plus races in the future. Each races builds on the previous and sets up the next.
Increases the importance of each race - NH (hate to keep using them) just got extremely important as it sets the order for Daytona. Likewise throughout the series, just look through it.
Levels the qualifying playing field - every position is set by being on the track at the same time with the competitors. No advantages in the draw and changing weather conditions. Only way to gain an advantage is to outrace the other guys . . . and isn't that what its all about?
Develops New Drivers - Since everyone races every week, new drivers get experience in competition situations every weekend. Even if they don't make the field in the qualifier, they get significant laps in competition under their belt, so they will be better next time around.
Eliminate the top 35 rule - You want a guaranteed spot next week, race into the top 20 this week.
Addresses Start and Parkers - Can no longer put a qualifying setup under it to make the race and pull out early, cashing the check with minimal expense. Here you have to race to make this weeks race and if you want to park it you get to start at the back of next weeks qualifier where you may not make the big show. May want to rethink that early hard left hand turn into the garage.
Cost to implement - $0
The advantages go on and on . . .
Disadvantage - Sanctioning body didn't think of it nor has the guts to give it a try, even in the lower series.
Heck if it doesn't work, you've still got your clocks you can go back to.
But what do I know . . . I'm just a fan
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