Nascar going downhill?

Question

So is it me or has nascar slowly been declining since the death of Dale Earnhardt, Theres so many rules now, a chase for the cup, the races start later in the day, and nobody seems to have the effect Dale Earnhardt had on racing. I notice every year the stands getting emptier, maybe its because of gas prices.

Answer 1

I just think that NASCAR hit a climax and they may just be starting to level out some.  Also, there are more rules now to help the competition and safety of everyone.  "The Chase" is used to help keep the excitement up for the end of the year championship run rather than a few years ago how if the leader of the points going into last race of the year would just start, he would then win the championship.  That is now very exciting at all.  Plus, races start later so that those on the west coast can have a chance to wake up.  If a race is being run at 1PM on Eastern Standard Time, it would then be 10AM on the west coast where some may still be asleep or they could be in church.  I do agree about no one really stepping up to the plate when it comes to Dale Earnhardt's status but the race attendance, especially this year, are getting fewer and fewer due to gas and ticket prices as well.  It is all too expensive.  And let's not forget the hotel prices too.

Answer 2

Nascar has been going through an evoultion for a while now...They have been picking up new fan base for a while...Yes, they have been loseing their old fan base probably since dale was killed...After this race i,m sure they will lose a few more fans..

Answer 3

i still love racing more than ever and anyone who has stopped watching are dumbass mother f*ckers who want those of us who do like it to suffer as NASCAR loses money and may be forced to shut down in the far future.

But no doubt it is getting less and less popular every year.

The rules suck, yes, but the Chase I think is cool and the reason for no Dale Earnhardts in the sport is because he's dead and no one can replace him.

Answer 4

More room in the stands for me.

Answer 5

it's not going downhill. just going through a rough patch of road right now. Every major sport has gone through this.

Answer 6

YES!!

To days race was just another example! I sure liked it a lot better before all the rules to keep the competition close! Congrats to the #48 driver and team, they earned that one!!

PEACE!!

Answer 7

Idk, but this year it seems has been the worst with the new car, tire problems at Atlanta, and all the new rules with qualifying and stuff. Its just not the same.

Answer 8

I don't know what rock u crawled out from under but nascar races draw larger crowds every week than any three baseball,basketball, or football games combined.Does that sound like a dying sport. What track do you go to.I know i have to buy tickets at least 6 mos in advance to go to the pocono or dover race.So what are u saying ?? Do u really go to races or just have nothing better to do but question america's most watched and attended sport

Answer 9

It's just you.  Lots of changes to adjust to this year makes it seem bad, but it will all level out.  Gas prices and ticket prices in a recession may have something to do with the empty seats......

Go Jr.>>>>>

Answer 10

you could always watch old re-runs of Alice, with Linda Lavin

Answer 11

You've hit the nail on the head. But there's more to it. It's not just the Earnhardt thing it's also that Bill France is gone. Brian France has gotten away from the core fans and sold out to the sponsors and it's going to hit bottom here in about five more years. The racing isn't the same as it was back in the old days either. The drivers have no personality and if they do they lose points/ get fined. Corporate greediness has ruined the show.

Answer 12

Yes, especially after Pontiac was dropped and Toyota entered.

Answer 13

Nope...not down hill...just following the dollar, and not the true fans...which is resulting in the people that like racing looking elseware for their fix.  Between the chase, the canned cars that are nothing like a "stock car", and the commercialization.....it is racing, but not what it was.

It would be a wonderful thing to see production cars on the track.....with the manufacturers doing the R&D to put their cars out front....but that has long since disappeared....sad