Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
DILLNER: Schedule Shake-up
The novelty of an event is what draws NASCAR fans in droves, some tracks with two dates have lost their distinctiveness...
Bob Dillner  |  Posted March 12, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Bob Dillner is a reporter for SPEED. (Photo: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

There is no denying the tough economic times the entire country faces, so it is incumbent upon the NASCAR community to explore ways to bolster the health of the sport.

One initiative should be an in-depth analysis of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule to determine which tracks should lose or gain a date. To that end, I recommend the formation of a committee made up of reps from NASCAR, ISC, SMI, teams, sponsors, TV and the media, who will forsake their personal agendas for an open dialogue concerning the best utilization of the schedule for the betterment of the series.

At the top of their list should be Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.), which hosts two Cup weekends. Take one away. The track doesn’t draw strong crowds, due in part to the addition of a second race a few years ago, and its events are positioned on undesirable weekends that pit NASCAR against the Oscars and college football.

The novelty of an event is what draws NASCAR fans in droves, so some tracks with two dates have lost their distinctiveness. Back when we went to Texas Motor Speedway only once a year, the crowd was unbelievable but it has diminished somewhat since because the opportunity now exists twice a year.

Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway were new markets not too long ago and both draw great crowds, partly because they are a once-a-year novelty for which many designate the track as their family vacation destination. Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts only one race a year but brings in a fantastic crowd, in part because the city is a renowned tourist attraction but also because NASCAR comes to town only once.

By the same token, it would be great for both NASCAR and Auto Club Speedway to scale back to one race a year in Fontana. Sure, it would tick off a lot of people but I think both parties would benefit and the stands would fill up.

I also think the Cup Series should compete at Kentucky Speedway because it’s a good facility in a market NASCAR hasn’t cornered. Even though SMI and ISC are involved and butting heads, I would love for them to put aside their differences and consider what’s best for the business health of the series, as well as what the fans would prefer. I think fans would love to see a race at Kentucky instead of two at California.


Page 1 of 2
Prev
12
Next
bob_dillner's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Dillner

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.