CUP: France Calls Town Hall Meeting A Success

Sprint Cup

CUP: France Calls Town Hall Meeting A Success

NASCAR officials met with Sprint Cup team owners and drivers Tuesday in Concord, N.C...

Tom Jensen | Posted May 26, 2009 Charlotte, NC

NASCAR Chairman Brian France recently said changes are coming to the Chase for the Sprint Cup. (Photo: Getty Images)

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France declared the sanctioning body’s Tuesday “town hall” meeting with Sprint Cup team owners and drivers a success and vowed to have more such sessions in the future.

France and NASCAR executives conducted two two-hour meetings at the sanctioning body’s Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., near Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Among the topics were declining television ratings, NASCAR’s drug policy, marketing, fan initiatives and a whole host of competition issues.

“We had a good day today with a good exchange with our drivers and owners on a wide variety of things,” said France. “Going from the rules package we have today to the new car, other issues from sponsorship, across the board. … We had a good day today with a good exchange with our drivers and owners on a wide variety of things — going from the rules package we have today to the new car; other issues from sponsorship, across the board.”

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, called the meeting “well orchestrated by NASCAR. “It wasn’t negative, it was positive, trying to make sure we didn’t do anything wrong to screw it up,” said Labonte.

“We just talked about everything,” added Mark Martin. “About the drug policy, about the marketing, about where the sport is today, about the fans, about the races. Long-range, things we can do to make the sport better. Things we can do to make the sport better for the fans.”

High on the list of changes the team owners and drivers are looking for are modifications to NASCAR’s new-generation Sprint Cup car, which was first phased in two years ago. Teams have complained that it’s impossible to pass at the front of the field and want to see NASCAR modify the cars to increase competition, something that NASCAR officials have steadfastly opposed so far.

France hinted that NASCAR could be more flexible in the future.

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Tom Jensen

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