Dec 23, 2007 | 4:57 PM
Category:
Sports
The Curse of Earnhardt
This was the most disappointing year for NASCAR ever. Did you all hear Ricky Rudd's interview? He seemed to be thoroughly disappointed with NASCAR and the paths that they have chosen lately. Basically saying that NASCAR has changed so dramatically that it would never be the same again ... and I agree.
Ricky talked of a time back in the 80's, when he and a group of people ... I think Harry Hyde was involved ... got a car together, went to Charlotte and qualified the car up front and drove to a top five finish ... on a very limited budget. Here my friends, is where NASCAR will never be the same.
As we older race fans remember, the thing that made NASCAR so popular was the fact that simple men like Ricky Rudd and Dale Earnhardt could break into the sport, with limited means, and become superstars. NASCAR, until recently, has always been "blue-collar".
Well ladies and gentlemen; NASCAR has robbed us of those days. NASCAR has made decisions in the last few years that have severely restricted their sport to the "rich and famous". NASCAR is no longer "stock car racing" ... but big business commercial advertising ... and, as a race fan, I despise it all!
NASCAR has left its roots and decided to play the "rich boy game". NASCAR has become a big Sunday "Price is Right" show. They are all about corporate advertising and dollars. And as the advertisers drive the sport, NASCAR simply plays the role of "puppet-master". My fellow race fans ... NASCAR shall surely suffer for their mistakes ... their greed.
Friends, I would bet you all that ten years from now, NASCAR will not be able to sell TV time. This year, at more than one track, NASCAR was begging people to get into the stands for TV purposes. And I do not know of anyone personally that watched the last five races of the season.
Let's face the facts. The IRL, CART, and Formula 1 races do not sell a tremendous amount of TV time. And they do not enjoy the stability of a strong fan base. Why? Because they are not blue-collar, main stream America ... and their rules make it impossible for the "average-ol'-Joe" to break into their brand of racing.
Having said that ... what makes NASCAR think that they will succeed at playing the rich boys' game? My friends ... I truly believe that NASCAR cannot see the forest for the trees.
Bottom line ... NASCAR is practically dead for all of the blue-collar people that helped build the sport. And as NASCAR has betrayed us and left us behind, NASCAR too will waste away.
I heard a story the other day, about a fellow race fan. The race fan told of a recent dream. In his dream, this fan met Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Dale appeared to be very unhappy in this dream ... and spoke of how he had built DEI for his family. And, as a slight tear rolled down his face, he talked about how Dale Jr. had left DEI ... and is scheduled drive for Hendrick Motorsports next year. Dale, apparently feeling betrayed by both NASCAR and DEI, sadly stated that was not meant to be.
As the race fan eagerly listened, Earnhardt continued to discuss family, friends, racing, and loyalty ... and eventually said that Teresa, DEI, nor NASCAR will prosper, but instead shall continually weaken, unless they return to their roots.
My friends ... NASCAR has "taken a bulldozer to their foundation" ... and their building will not survive.
-real-race-fan
