Fear and Loathing: Nascar '05

[insane]

Is Nascar scrambling to recoil from the shock of sideways driving? I dont know... but, the fact that they have recently expanded to Canada and will soon do the same in Mexico, kind of gives that impression. Maybe its all a coincidence that they decided to do this at the same time that Formula D is gearing up for its second season, but why is Nascar going to have a 1 or 2 hour long special on the preview channel featuring a beautiful young blonde who is given a nascar for the day? Can you guess what she does with it...?
Every tire smoking trick you can do with a car, except for drifting, then she exclaims something to the effect of "Nascar gives you such a huge rush and is the coolest form of racing...Ever". It is clear that Nascar feels they need more spectators, what isn't clear however, is why.

[CrazyHawaiian]

In all honesty, drifting means nothing to Nascar. Until a drifting event draws the kind of crowd a Nascar event draws, I dont think drifting will affect Nascar in any way.

[UberSpeed]

With all due respect, I dont think you understand how huge NASCAR is, and how small drifting is right now. NASCAR is not very exciting at all to watch, yet thousands upon thousands of people sit outside on their lawnchairs with a case of beer and a few friends everytime there's a race and watch the whole damn thing. Not to mention the near sold out crowds at just about every event. Drifting is gaining popularity, dont get me wrong, but I dont think NASCAR has anything to worry about just yet.

[Octagon]

NASCAR is the 2nd most watched sport in America. That's not 2nd most watched motorsport. That's 2nd most watched SPORT. The only sport that consistently draws in better ratings than NASCAR is the NFL.

However, the NFL doesn't pack 240,000 fans at $50 and up a ticket into its events. Also, the NFL doesn't have as fanatical a fanbase when it comes to merchandising and endorsments.

This year's Daytona 500 scored a 13.5 in Nielsen ratings at its peak, and averaged 10.4, a 17% gain in ratings from the past five 500's. And what's most incredible is where the gains were made. NASCAR is growing in Northern and Western metropolitan areas. The rating in New York (5.5) improved 17%, Detroit (11.6) 47%, San Francisco (5.8) 32%, Atlanta (20.4) 28%, Dallas (9.5) 23%, Washington (11.9) 19%, Philadelphia (10.4) 11% and Chicago (9.0) 10%.

Sorry folks, NASCAR doesn't have anything to worry about as far as its fan count is concerned. The NFL is one players' strike (way to go, NHL), one steroid scandal (good one, MLB), or one player gone wrong (way to go NBA).

[insane]

NASCAR is the 2nd most watched sport in America. That's not 2nd most watched motorsport. That's 2nd most watched SPORT. The only sport that consistently draws in better ratings than NASCAR is the NFL.

However, the NFL doesn't pack 240,000 fans at $50 and up a ticket into its events. Also, the NFL doesn't have as fanatical a fanbase when it comes to merchandising and endorsments.

This year's Daytona 500 scored a 13.5 in Nielsen ratings at its peak, and averaged 10.4, a 17% gain in ratings from the past five 500's. And what's most incredible is where the gains were made. NASCAR is growing in Northern and Western metropolitan areas. The rating in New York (5.5) improved 17%, Detroit (11.6) 47%, San Francisco (5.8) 32%, Atlanta (20.4) 28%, Dallas (9.5) 23%, Washington (11.9) 19%, Philadelphia (10.4) 11% and Chicago (9.0) 10%.

Sorry folks, NASCAR doesn't have anything to worry about as far as its fan count is concerned. The NFL is one players' strike (way to go, NHL), one steroid scandal (good one, MLB), or one player gone wrong (way to go NBA).

Well Here it is years later and do those who have previously posted here still think that Nascar has nothing to fear from drifting??? I'm not asking if Nascar has better ratings, I am asking if Nascar has something to fear from drifting??? I would be grateful if the previous posters in this thread would come back and honestly answer this question.

[Bebop]

Cool throw back thread

One thing nascar has that drifting does not is respect for tradition, even though the sport is so young here in the states it lacks the tradition that nascar has and preserved over the years. Better to say the sport in the US is still trying to find that tradition unlike nascar. The car of tomorrow still has technology dating back from the 70s.

Some little odds and ends to touch on, this year irwindale was held on the same day as a nationwide race at Cali speedway. On Friday I heard a few older fans saying they were going to the nationwide race and would try to come and catch the end of the drift event. And I heard the grandstand at irwindale this year didn't sell out....

Hmmmm

Formula D is like HIN having a unwanted baby with Monster Jam, but with 70s F1 raising it....in my eyes anyway

[insane]

Cool throw back thread

One thing nascar has that drifting does not is respect for tradition, even though the sport is so young here in the states it lacks the tradition that nascar has and preserved over the years. Better to say the sport in the US is still trying to find that tradition unlike nascar. The car of tomorrow still has technology dating back from the 70s.

Some little odds and ends to touch on, this year irwindale was held on the same day as a nationwide race at Cali speedway. On Friday I heard a few older fans saying they were going to the nationwide race and would try to come and catch the end of the drift event. And I heard the grandstand at irwindale this year didn't sell out....

Hmmmm

Formula D is like HIN having a unwanted baby with Monster Jam, but with 70s F1 raising it....in my eyes anyway

All I'm saying is look at it from the perspective of a businessman: you own a company(nascar) and already command an established audience that is expected to grow at a certain rate, that has been predicted by people within your own company, however here comes this thing called drifting, and it is cutting into your audience, the fact that people are buying tickets to drifting events is that proof. I mean, seriously nascar is as boring as watching grass grow. If it truly wasn't then any race fan with money and a brain would buy into nascar. and if that was the case then every single race fan on the north American continent would purchase nothing but nascar tickets. however this is not the case, so I can say with absolute certainty that if you were to take an inquisitive survey based on the average intelligence of the nascar fan you would realize just how stupid the average nascar fan is and would come to the same conclusion of those who operate nascar: Regardless of any competion as long as we continue to have races then all the money that can be made will be made.That train of thought is ridiculous. Let's get this straight: Just because you have an established product that makes more money than a relative newcomer, does not mean you have a superior product. Time will tell.

[5150 Cruiser]

Cool throw back thread

One thing nascar has that drifting does not is respect for tradition, even though the sport is so young here in the states it lacks the tradition that nascar has and preserved over the years. Better to say the sport in the US is still trying to find that tradition unlike nascar. The car of tomorrow still has technology dating back from the 70s.

Hmm... What "tradition" does nascar still hold that drifting in the U.S. has lost? While your correct that nascar still retains engine technology that dates back to the 70's (60's really), nascar really has lost alot of what made it what was. Cars used to have to be based on the street versions they represented. Any aero or engine modifications had to be available on the street car. Not anymore. Now cars use full fiberglass bodies, with stickers and headlights, somehow FWD Impala's are now V8 RWD monsters. Doesn't sound like "tradition" to me. At least the cars in FD are still immediately recognizable as Mustangs, Silvia's/240's, Solstice, 350z's, Camaro's, Viper's, Challenger's, Corolla's etc. And while it used every bit of the rule book, Even Sean Carlson's Challenger was still a Challenger.

All I'm saying is look at it from the perspective of a businessman: you own a company(nascar) and already command an established audience that is expected to grow at a certain rate, that has been predicted by people within your own company, however here comes this thing called drifting, and it is cutting into your audience, the fact that people are buying tickets to drifting events is that proof. I mean, seriously nascar is as boring as watching grass grow. If it truly wasn't then any race fan with money and a brain would buy into nascar. and if that was the case then every single race fan on the north American continent would purchase nothing but nascar tickets. however this is not the case, so I can say with absolute certainty that if you were to take an inquisitive survey based on the average intelligence of the nascar fan you would realize just how stupid the average nascar fan is and would come to the same conclusion of those who operate nascar: Regardless of any competition as long as we continue to have races then all the money that can be made will be made.That train of thought is ridiculous. Let's get this straight: Just because you have an established product that makes more money than a relative newcomer, does not mean you have a superior product. Time will tell.

Wow. While i see your point, and can agree with you to some extent, it in no shape or form means its right. Though you and I might think nascar is boring, thats just a subjective statement. A nascar fan could easily say how stupid and pointless our sport is. And you know what? He'd be no more right or wrong than us voicing our dislike for his sport. sorry to say man, but you just sound like a drifting fan boy with no real argument and you insulting the intelligence of nascar fans just backs this up. Lets ask ourselves a question..

Why do we like drifting? the technicality of it all? The tunning? the cars? engines? Diversity? The list is endless. We all have our different reasons for liking and disliking the sport, as will nascar fans for nascar. Personally, i don't see it. I can't fathom watching cars go around circles for 500 laps, but whatever. From a financial standpoint, nascar has nothing to worry about anytime soon. Just because tickets for FD are selling, doesn't mean (and i can almost guarantee) that those sales haven't come from nascar fans. I can tell you with full certainty that if drifting wasn't big in the U.S, that i wouldn't have turned to nascar to full fill my motor sport bug.

As far as which is "superior" to the other, thats subjective as well. I really don't know if there is one form of motor sport that is ultimately superior to the other. Each have there technicalities that differ from the other. While drifting might be growing, so is nascar. On driftings best day, it still doesn't come close to Nascars worst day.

[Linguo415]

Is Nascar scrambling to recoil from the shock of sideways driving? I dont know... but, the fact that they have recently expanded to Canada and will soon do the same in Mexico, kind of gives that impression. Maybe its all a coincidence that they decided to do this at the same time that Formula D is gearing up for its second season, but why is Nascar going to have a 1 or 2 hour long special on the preview channel featuring a beautiful young blonde who is given a nascar for the day? Can you guess what she does with it...?
Every tire smoking trick you can do with a car, except for drifting, then she exclaims something to the effect of "Nascar gives you such a huge rush and is the coolest form of racing...Ever". It is clear that Nascar feels they need more spectators, what isn't clear however, is why.

I dont think Drifting will ever be as big as nascar. Nascar is owned by a bunch of old guys with tons of money that can use that power to bully the new kid off the block. Lame as nascar is it thrives off of middle america. There also must be a ton of politics that go into who would dominate the nations leading racing event. Its all about who brings the most money and im sure that the country it self benefits off of nascars yearly earnings. Sure I looooooove the drift. I love the culture behind it and those who pioneerd it. Its origin is all about improvemnt of driving technique on mountain passes. Not like nascar where little johny was outrunning the cops in his fordilac on the flat american country side running moonshine for his pops back in the prohibition. Why do you think beer and nascar go well together ? Lol. This is what makes Nascar "all american." Its roots are in the middle of the country. Do you think that they/we would allow a foreign sport to reign supreme here? i highly doubt it. Drifting is cooler in my eyes though no doubt. Much more technical than nascar cirlcles and NHRA reaction time combined imo. Nascar is the least athletic of any of the racing sports imo. How much effort is there in going left all day long? The corners arent that sharp. All the sweat is from sitting behind the hot engine. Sit in a sauna you get the same results. Even nhra takes more focus even if it is in a straight line. they have to focus on having a faster reaction time than the other guy then try and keep that beast of a machine under control enough to get down the quarter mile in 4 seconds or less in one piece. The only thing i find Superior to all is F1 and JGTC or super Gt its called now i think (again imo) Oh and Lemans As far as the expansion maybe they were just looking for more money in foreing crouds. Im sure that there are tons of nascar fans all over the world. Why because to them nascar is the import sport. I know that if nascar was to go to the country my fam is from the people would go nuts saying "american racing is comming." Same reason I would take a Spirit R over a shelby mustang any day of the week (if it was handed to me not that i could afford it) and perhaps vice versa. Lol Its not common and very rare. "An american legacy" Its impressive on many levels to someone who doesnt get to see it like we do. I give a tiny rats if nascar was in my back yard. In order for Nascar to look at Fd as a threat it would require FD getting the type and amount of investors that nascar has and while dont i know who or exactly what besides tires and energy drinks are invested in FD I dont think its quite enough. I think for it to even make a dent it would have to become as american as possible. i think that means more if not all muscle cars like chevy and ford and the now extinct pontiac. Im not really down with that. Its a japanese thing and I think it should remain foreing. Who am I though? Just a spectator who is trying to get sidewats too. But dont sweat it yo. FD is growing and will continue to do so. Its a gold mine and the younger generations are deffinatly on board im sure.

[B.Young]

I remember a show on Speed channel called Wind Tunnel where people can call in and voice their opinions on various Motorsports. I think it would be interesting to see drifting and other Xgame type motorsports be discussed on a talk show or even a radio show. I remember one time they held a voting on which Motorsport had the most talented drivers, and WRC came first with Formula 1 a close second, and NASCAR much further down the list. Drifting was not well known at that time either. I think that on a channel that has majority NASCAR fans, they know good drivers when they see them.