Fan Commentary

Fan Speak - Part Two (Going to Races)

by Grandstand Bob

In last week's column, I asked fans to send me suggestions about what NASCAR could do to quell fan discontent and to bring back fans who are feeling alienated. I intended to write a column based on this feedback, but the responses were so overwhelming and well stated, that I really couldn't say it any better myself. Thus, I'm turning over the next six columns to the fans.

I would put this all in one column, but it would take 24 pages to do that. Instead, I've separated the comments into different categories. First, I'll list the general comments. Following that, I'll list comments related to attending races, Internet broadcasts, rules, television and tradition. These comments will appear in successive days, so make sure that you keep coming back to ARS Racing Outlet to check.

All of these are straight from fans. I didn't edit a word, but I did cut out names and addresses to protect fan privacy. If I didn't list your comments, please don't be offended. I tried to avoid repetition, so I couldn't include everyone's writing, though I did read each and every message. Thanks for your participation, and make sure that you check back each day this week to read what fellow fans are saying.

Going to Races

-- I suggest that NASCAR remember who made the sport what it is today - the fans. Lower the ticket prices at some of those venues! Lower the beer prices! Make it easier, and less expensive, for a family to enjoy the entire race weekend. I don't mind them making an honest buck at any track, but gouging the wallets of the very people that make NASCAR profitable is biting the hand that feeds - and not good business. I see advertised prices for race tickets at southeast venues as low as $15 (obviously general admission) and cringe at the $60 charged by Sears Point Raceway for their Winston Cup race. Six dollar beers are ridiculous, as are four dollar sodas and three dollar bottles of water. I can buy a six-pack of the same for the price of one drink, if I could get the damn things inside the track in my banned cooler! (coolers that the vendors sell, by the way). Excessive charges for camping, parking, water hookups - the list goes on. We're not the NFL, with outrageous ticket prices for the nosebleed sections of a stadium. We're real, hometown folks with a "need for speed", loyal to our sport and our drivers. Give us a break, NASCAR!

-- I agree that NASCAR is not being very "fan friendly" in all the things they have done lately. It is so expensive that I can not afford to attend a race. I live in the state of Oklahoma and I have to travel 4 hours to Texas or 4 hours to Kansas to see a race, when you throw in the price of tickets, souvenirs, drinks, food, etc. I can't afford to go. I think NASCAR is being greedy in charging the fans so much. The vast majority of race fans are your everyday, middle class person who can't afford to spend that much for a race
weekend. It is just me that I have to worry about, I can't imagine trying to take a family of 4 to a " family friendly" NASCAR race, I would have to take out a second mortgage.

Well, the answer is easy - STOP GOING!!!!  Now I've been following since 1966 (Tiny Lund, Beltsville MD, June 1966), scored all through college (geez, saved $9 !!!), but you know what?  That money goes a heck of a lot further at a local track.   I had freebies to Richmond last fall ($85/seat, backstretch) and took a friend who loves racing, never been to a WC event - at the end we looked at each other and came to same conclusion - we can go to Williams Grove 5 times ($14/night) and have $15 left over for food (2 large pizzas & sodas), and see 6 - 12 races a night depending on the card.   No debate.  We go there, the sodas are cold, and we're in the pits.

So take the money elsewhere - lots of local racing (and good, no forced "parity"), little traffic, nice people, low prices for everything.

Oh - people are starting to notice another trend - the link between a race sponsor and the winner.....Darlington/Carolina Dodge, Atlanta MBNA/Gibbs.  Check back over the years at Richmond and see how many times Rusty Wallace happened to win a Miller or Pontiac (when he was driving those) 400.

-- I agree with you on all issues concerning how greedy NASCAR has become. We used to go to NHIS ,and it`s not the worst place. Racecast used to be our way to get the races that were not on the networks. Now we have to search the web for MRN affiliates that carry the races.

As for Daytona, NHIS and the rest of the tracks, we`re going to stay home. The prices are unreal, the parking problem is unbelievable, the drinks and food prices are pure theft. The souvenirs are so expensive it`s a shame. I`m a crewmember of an ACT(American-Canadian tour) Lms team. Winston cup was our pro-sport to enjoy. We now spend more at the local tour tracks, stay overnight(free camping), and buy the souvenirs that help the local racers. 

Canada is hockey country. But the NHL has gone the way of Nascar. The price of tickets is outrageous, food and parking expensive, we won`t talk about souvenirs. But you know what? There are empty seats at Montréal Canadians games..... Maybe the fans are not so dumb after all.                                                                                                                 

Oh yes you will get $1.60 for a $1US in Montréal if you tourist here. We have to shell out $1.60CDN for a $1US while at WC races...... Get gouged on top? Not anymore.

-- I'd like to see, before each race, in the pre-race ceremonies where "celebrities" are acknowledged, that time be taken to recognize and thank the fans. Without the fans, there'd be no sport!

-- I read your column about how NASCAR is putting the screws to the fans. I can't agree more. My wife and I attend both Bristol races each year and one race at MIS. The new cooler sizes are bullcrap! 9-11 was just what some of the tracks needed to excuse their greed in the name of safety! I am getting to the point where I am not enjoying NASCAR like I used to. It is not as exciting because I wonder what kind of a crazy call NASCAR will make during any given race. They need to make rules and enforce them for EVERYONE! No more "competition yellow" for invisible debris when someone has an exceptional lead on the rest of the field, just to give the fans a good show. I can go to the circus for a good show! Part of my lessening interest is due to the fact of losing Dale E. last year. My wife and I were both big fans of his. Now I cheer for aroung 20 drivers, none of which can take Dale's place.