Some real NASCAR talk:
NASCAR was on life support even before COVID. With the loss of big-name drivers, rising ticket prices, a convoluted schedule, fans have stayed home. https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/04/10/nascar-despite-attendance-woes-nascar-continues-roll/">https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/04/1...
NASCAR was on life support even before COVID. With the loss of big-name drivers, rising ticket prices, a convoluted schedule, fans have stayed home. https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/04/10/nascar-despite-attendance-woes-nascar-continues-roll/">https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/04/1...
Normies might remember Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Gordon, and more, but today& #39;s field (though talented) doesn& #39;t have the same star power. NASCAR fandom differs from other sports because fans follow individual drivers, not teams. When fans lose their driver, interest wanes.
For years NASCAR has tried to reach a wider fanbase with the Drive to Diversity program. The results? Bubba Wallace lost a sponsor thanks to rage quitting during a video game race, and Kyle Larson is a Japanese-American driver who, err well, google him. https://www.sbnation.com/2020/4/6/21209868/bubba-wallace-virtual-nascar-race-rage-quit-blue-emu-sponsor-contract">https://www.sbnation.com/2020/4/6/...
NASCAR is not immune to modernism. A time traveler from 10 years ago would not recognize a race today. Sure there is still bump drafting and a million sponsors but everything from the race format (stage racing?) to "overtime" to bizarre officiating is new.
I can never prove this, but I believe NASCAR acted to better their bottom line and to improve their standing with the woke mob. The Talladega race was rained out, Monday& #39;s viewership was going to be in the toilet, the garage pull-down was a cynical ploy to engender sympathy.