Reader Responses and Random Thoughts
|
|
Note: My articles are based solely on my thoughts, observations
and sometimes experiences. Normally I do not offer statistics, although at
times I may reference what different broadcasters, among others, have said or
alluded to.
I
remember many times, when I was living in Orlando, in February and July, that
no matter what else was going on, I would go to every single event at Daytona,
if and when there was any action on the track. These days, it saddens me to see
so many empty seats during practice and qualifying, culminating with less than
sold out attendance during the actual races. I really thought I would never see
a day or night when there were empty seats at Bristol. Sadly, that day has
come…
The
truck race at Bristol, as well as the Xfinity race had very few fans in the
stands and TV viewer ratings were also down. But, we had faith that these
numbers would improve for the Cup race. Although there were more fans in
attendance, the stands were not full and the ratings were down – again.
While
watching the Bristol Cup race on 8/18/18, a thought came to me. Listening to
the announcers and thinking about everything they say, I mused about whether or
not they are enablers where the behavior of drivers is concerned. What do you
think? Do they encourage the behavior of the drivers when they spend so much
time showing us when a driver behaves in unacceptable ways, or when they brag
on them constantly while they ignore some of the other drivers?
One
thing I have heard from fans is in reference to an incident at the end of a
previous race. They tell me that it's a total turn-off every time they see the NASCAR commercial
where Kyle Busch bumps and knocks Kyle Larson out of the way to pass, and then
says after winning, “If you don’t like that kind of racing, don’t even watch.”
So, tell me, was he saying if you don’t like me or the way I drive, don’t
watch? Doesn’t this play a part in why fans leave and no longer watch?
Personally, I think it does. What do you think?
I
had an email from a friend about drivers and makes of cars, and possibly NASCAR’S
desire and/or favoritism of certain drivers and makes of cars. This is an
excerpt from that email. Like many other fans, this particular one is not
necessarily a Toyota fan. She is also like many fans today, and has lost faith
in NASCAR.
Cali
wrote: “WHY did the announcers of last night’s race exalt Shrub’s
"epic" run when they themselves SAID the first wreck had made his car
aerodynamically BETTER than the rest of the field? He had an advantage; that
was CLEAR. All we heard was his domination of the evening. NASCAR is nothing
BUT nascrap. Sure, he wrecked but with all the new
rules he EASILY got back on the track WITH the advantage. Methinks nascrap was hoping for a Toyota win.” This was only 1 email of several on the same
subject.
I
also think the way the races (or shows as some people call them) are broadcast
has an effect on why we see more and more fans leaving the sport. We hear much
bias and favoritism during every broadcast, regardless of the NASCAR series we
are watching.
During
one of the recent broadcasts of a Cup race, they said they would “go through
the field” for the fans. Berra, one of our members here at RFF, said afterwards
when they finished: “This is ridiculous. They said they got through the field, but only got
through the top 10.” Adding to
his remarks, I would like to say that many times the only time some of the
drivers get mentioned is when they do their through the field segments.
Something
else I have always wondered about is what some drivers say during interviews
after races. Normally when the driver has not won, he will say “We’ll take
that.” Can someone explain that remark to this old fan? Gee, they didn’t win
and they have officially been given a finishing spot, so tell me, how could
they do anything but accept it? I just always shake my head when they say that.
Just something else I have always pondered… What about you?
Many
of us here at RFF truly feel the history of NASCAR is slowly being lost and
forgotten. Most of us try to keep the history alive by writing articles of the
past, which we hope will also encourage readers to write their thoughts,
experiences and memories of auto racing.
One of our readers wrote the following comment in response to the
latest article by Tim Leeming.
Mr.
Clause (mrclause) wrote: “Right after reading this effort
of yours a thought hit me. I guess it’s run through my
feeble mind before, but it actually resonated this time. Have you ever really
considered how much racing history is going to be lost forever when our
generation is no longer? We are the generation that is left to tie the entire
history package together. When we are gone all that'll be left are the cold
dark shelves of museums, of halls of fame; the personal touches, the stories
that we hold so dear, those will be gone, no longer to be shared. A simple fact
in the cycle of life, but sad, none the less. I cannot begin to tell anyone how
much pure joy and happiness I get from our stories from yesterday. To those
contributing here, just know that at the very least there is one fan that soaks
up your memories as a sponge would. Please keep them coming!”
I
would like to thank our fans and members for their contributions and for
allowing me to use them in this article. Each of us has something to say or add
when we read something someone else has written. In the recesses of each of our
memory banks, as others remind us of things from the past, we sometimes reach
in and smile – or cry – as we remember our past. Then we choose to add those to
the ones someone just reminded us of so they can be passed down as part of
history.
Thank
you for reading and commenting here.
Your thoughts, ideas on the subject and opinions are very welcome. I
remind you to keep them clean and no bashing, please. You may also email
comments to me.