February 4th, 2009 
T.C. I think it’s interesting that over the last few weeks we’ve seen a major divide develop among those who cover this sport. The divide exists where people take their stance on whether to acknowledge the tough times the sport has had, or not acknowledge them.
During the normal Daytona testing period, we saw where some TV folks (ie SPEED) almost pretended like things were completely hunky dory. They gave us several shows of regurgitated press releases and “fluff.” And the only time we got any straight talk was on a commercial break screw up. Are they living on the same planet we are?
On the other side of this divide we’ve seen a lot of writers who, if you didn’t know better, would lead you to believe the sport is dying. And I’m going to single out many of the internet writers here. Whether professional writer or amateur, I’m getting tired of reading the same article from these folks about how the Truck Series is dying; the only difference between these articles being the byline. The Truck Series, just like the two other series, is not dying. Are times tough? You’re damn right they are. But is the sky falling? No, Chicken Little, the sky is not falling.
What I don’t understand about all this, is why can’t we have a happy medium? Lets keep the fans educated about the state of the sport AND lets keep them up to date on all the driver, sponsor, and team news. The fans are smart enough to know that we are struggling just like they are, but they aren’t dumb enough to believe their beloved sport is on the brink of complete failure.
So I’m going to do right here what more folks should have been doing these last few weeks. I’m going to give you the complete rundown in a few sentences. Here goes…
Right now the economy sucks, a lot of people are out of work (not just in racing), and times are tough. But guess what? Come Saturday night at about 8:10PM the Budweiser Shootout will take the green flag. And just a little more then seven days later, on a Sunday afternoon in February, the Daytona 500 will officially kick off the 2009 Sprint Cup season. And for many of you, by the time you read this post, cars will already be on track at Daytona. The Cup haulers made their exodus en masse from Charlotte today (Wednesday) and the track opens tomorrow (Thursday) for ARCA RE/MAX Series practice.
Racing is back folks. Despite all the lost jobs, broken hearts, and tough times.
The show must (and will) go on.
Now don’t be afraid to enjoy it. It’s okay.
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Amen brother!
TC Good job, Call it as you see it. Times are tough for everybody, business is even tougher. But all of us will survive. It not all peaches and cream nor is it all doom and gloom. The show will go on and we will keep moving forward.
That what I like about this site the straight talk you get from the inside.
Being accountable to no one, because no one knows who you are is a powerful thing. Both of you do a great job of giving outsiders….the insider perspective. Most importantly “with class” and credibility. I don’t get the impression that The NASCAR Insiders will report news, just to be able to say they are the first to report news. We already have too many other media types hang their hat on that. I like the “perspective” (both technical and personal) nature that your site is based on. Thanks!
Great job. Happy to say I’m looking forward to being in Atl in March, snow or no snow. Now if I can just find my list of who’s driving what!
Seriously, the economy could help the slumping NASCAR ratings since more people are staying home and getting their entertainment from television.
Ratings increase = sponsorship dollars, right?
What about rumors that no more than fifteen trucks and twenty Nationwide cars will be running a full schedule when the trek ends in California after the initial deluge of entries at Daytona? Can the truck series survive with only fifteen full time contenders? Ditto for the NW series? With sponsors so hard to find, and Cup cars begging for every scrap from them, can the “lower” series come up with the wherewithall to keep the tires on?
Your assessment of the Speed coverage from Daytona is spot-on. What a waste of time. Nascar Now at least addressed the issue of the economy and its effect on racing.
I think all media lately is heavy on the doom and gloom or overdone on the fluff trying to hide the doom and gloom. Your clarity, honesty and realistic (yet optimistic) writing is much appreciated. Love reading the inside scoop and know you guys will have some support in the stands in California!
For the last five years, NA$CAR has blamed falling TV & attendance numbers on everything from the economy, to people under the stands shopping, to NFL football, the price of gas or the deterioration of the ozone. But they have ignored the fact that this decline started w/ the village idiot (B. France), the chase for the chumps points scam, and the killing of THE Southern 500 & Rockingham for such a useless pc. of real estate as Cal. and the like. As usual… TVI will not admit he screwed up by staging the most boring events at the most boring facilities w/ the most conived & blatantly disasterous changes in sports history. TVI has taken what was the best racing in the world and turned it into the biggest joke of the century. And this geneus can’t figure out why his TV numbers have been going south like a duck in the winter since 2003??? After 45+ years as a die-hard fan, I won’t give this silly little series the time of day anymore and I sure won’t give my time or money.