Let’s get this party started; the Engines are ready to rev it up!
NASCAR is in full swing now, which means it’s time to get the grills out
and the campers ready. Why is this year going to offer more than last
season? What’s in store for NASCAR fans? This year should be a
memorable one for enthusiasts across the nation as drivers compete for
the Nextel Cup.
This is the second year NASCAR is using a new point system, which allows
drivers to position themselves for a final push down the stretch. Last
year, due to the new point system many of NASCAR’s top drivers were left
out of the point chase, but with a year under their belts, more drivers
will know what it takes to win the Cup. Considering that only the
top-ten drivers have a chance at the Nextel Cup, there’s not much room
for error. Drivers have to make sure each race counts in order to
ensure they are not left in the infield at the end of the season.
Most of the
drivers and fans are unsure if they like the new point system; year
two will give them a better idea of its strengths and weaknesses.
If the drivers and the fans continue to complain about the new
format, NASCAR may be forced to make some changes in the way it
awards the Cup. The new format was supposed to make things more
interesting, and although some thought it did there are still those
that like the old system better.
NASCAR fans should enjoy an excellent year in 2006 as most tracks aim to
become friendlier for attendees. Many of the tracks around the country
are adding extra events to get people more involved. One thing the
racing organization is attempting to do is make drivers and their crews
more accessible to the general public.
NASCAR has also accelerated a more family oriented atmosphere and has
more events that everyone can enjoy. In the early years, stockcar
racing was seen as a redneck sport and a place to drink beer. But with
the continuing growth in popularity, NASCAR executives have identified a
more diverse demographic to capture. NASCAR fans include your average
working people, business executives, doctors, lawyers, and just about
any other profession of which you can think.
As NASCAR
continues to grow, the demand for tracks will also increase.
Smaller venues are what NASCAR was found on, but it is hard to
ignore the calling of big markets and the money they bring to the
table. If the smaller markets are not able to capitalize on what
they have, they run the risk of losing one or all of their races to
bigger cities. Hopefully NASCAR will not forget its roots and
continue to be loyal to the communities that helped build the sport
and its popularity.
There have already been instances where a smaller market has lost one of
its races to a bigger one. If the sport continues to grow, it will be
hard to tell the larger markets “no,” because they offer the chance to
make more money and gain even greater exposure. NASCAR may have to look
at expanding the season to satisfy the increasing demand for races.
This is a good problem to have and it is doubtful that you will hear one
NASCAR executive complaining about it.
If all goes
well, NASCAR will continue to grow into a bigger sport and bigger
business. The road is wide open for this sport, because NASCAR is
constantly tapping into new markets. As long as NASCAR is able to keep
the fans happy, it will continue to grow. Thus far, NASCAR seems to have
run the popularity race with aplomb; let’s see if they can keep it up
without any unnecessary pit stops.
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