WHAT IS WRONG WITH NASCAR?
How many times during the last few months have you read or heard that NASCAR is worried about falling tickets sales? How many times have you seen a poll asking what NASCAR can do to get the fans interested again? Some have come to the conclusion that the problem is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He has only won one race in the last three years and there are some who still question that win. This year has been the most disappointing. More often than not he finishes in the lower half of the field. He misses his pit stop or makes some other outrageous mistake. All to the horror of Jr. Nation. As of late they are not rushing to the track or leave early after Jr. fades to the back. And they are not spending all those dollars on Jr. gear.
Something has to be done and done fast. The future of NASCAR is hanging in the balance. Rick Hendrick has called for an all out assault on the problem. He has everyone at Hendrick Motor Sports working to get Jr. back in victory lane, including giving him a new crew chief and his best engineers. Jr.’s problems and the changes to fix it are all NASCAR and the sports media have talked about for weeks.
Now here is my take on the NASCAR problem. I don’t know what Jr.’s problem is and quite frankly I don’t care. To be truthful, I am sick of Jr. It is all Jr. all the time. NASCAR.com should be renamed Jr.com. Even though he has not performed well in three years, all the announcers want to talk about is Jr. Commercials advertising NASCAR and NASCAR merchandise feature Jr. When the cameras are panning around the garage they show Jr. During the National Anthem they make sure to get a shot of Jr. While the cars are going around the track they always get Jr. There has not been one race that at least one commentator has not picked Jr. to win. And I can’t begin to count the number of interviews done and articles written on why Jr. can’t win.
I happen to be lucky. My driver gets his fair share of attention. Mostly for the wrong reasons, but also because he wins a lot. I feel bad for the other drivers. There are 42 others out there on the track every week. Jimmie Johnson won his third championship in a row and didn’t get as much press as Jr. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart get a little notice, but not what they deserve compared to a driver who has never won a championship. Mark Martin is having a great year, so some have actually suggested Hendrick give Jr. his crew chief. What about the young guys who are just getting started? Don’t they deserve a little air time? How can they build a fan base if no one ever hears their name? Heaven forbid another driver dares to criticize Jr. One ventured into those waters last week and two, yes two, commentators had the nerve to find fault with his comments. Why should he say something like that? After all, they only asked him his opinion on the crew chief change for the 88 team? They didn’t mean for him to give an honest answer. However, when Tony Stewart mentioned that it is annoying to spend most of their interviews answering questions about Jr. none could muster up the same backbone. It’s easy to come down on a twenty-four year old kid, but not so when they are dealing with a hot headed, yet well liked, two time champion.
Here’s your fix NASCAR. You want to sell more tickets? Spread the wealth around a little more. Throw the fans of the other drivers a bone. Show all those swearing, liquored up, beer can throwing, one finger saluting thugs, better known as Jr. Nation, the path to the parking lot. Make the race more enjoyable for the fans who love the race. Allow fans to bring their children to the track without worrying about what they will see or hear. Make sure these people can wear their Jeff Gordon hat or M&M’s t-shirt without fearing for their safety. Send the message loud and clear that drivers are allowed to pass, bump, out drive, beat and criticize Dale, Jr. without repercussions. That is unless Jr. grows a pair of cajoles and actually stands up for himself.
NASCAR should be for all the drivers and all the fans. It has not been for a long time. In my opinion that is what is wrong with NASCAR.
