Comments on: NASCAR Perception and the Media http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/ A blog by insiders for outsiders Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:16:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Richard in N.C. http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18606 Richard in N.C. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:13:32 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18606 I'm sure my memory is probably faulty, but I really don't recall anyone writing that the seasons had become boring when Cale was winning 3 in a row. It also seems to me that the media complaint that the season is too long is a recent phenomenon. I believe it has been 35 or 36 races for the last several years, but suddenly it's too long. Could it be because the media folk are tired, or their travel budgets have been cut back? In any event, no matter how much media complaining there has been about the season being too long, I have yet to see any of the media so-called "experts" explain how to cut the season back and just whose ox is going to be gored. How many jobs would be cut if the season were cut by 2 races or 4 races? Which communities would lose jobs and tax revenue by cutting back on the number of races? Many in the media seem to love to complain ( because it's easy?), but know they don't have to be responsible for the hard decisions, which is not limited to just the media covering NASCAR. I’m sure my memory is probably faulty, but I really don’t recall anyone writing that the seasons had become boring when Cale was winning 3 in a row.

It also seems to me that the media complaint that the season is too long is a recent phenomenon. I believe it has been 35 or 36 races for the last several years, but suddenly it’s too long. Could it be because the media folk are tired, or their travel budgets have been cut back? In any event, no matter how much media complaining there has been about the season being too long, I have yet to see any of the media so-called “experts” explain how to cut the season back and just whose ox is going to be gored. How many jobs would be cut if the season were cut by 2 races or 4 races? Which communities would lose jobs and tax revenue by cutting back on the number of races? Many in the media seem to love to complain ( because it’s easy?), but know they don’t have to be responsible for the hard decisions, which is not limited to just the media covering NASCAR.

]]> By: MS http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18476 MS Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:43:53 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18476 That some are attempting to recast the debate as "should announcers state the obvious" as opposed to having insiders discuss "the obvious" and fix it, is symptomatic of a much greater problem. Sure, it's stupid for those calling the race to actually say it's boring. But the bottom line is they said it because it's true. And until the insiders come to grips with that reality, they are going to continue enjoying the current trajectory of declining popularity of the sport. So in my humble opinion, the insiders need to ask hard questions that directly address the fundamental issue - which is that many if not most races are boring as viewed on TV - and that the chase format is boring when one driver dominates, all the more so when they dominate for several years on end. First, broadcasters should have a true race person as producer. It is so painfully obvious that the producer knows nothing about racing when watching the televised event. Some networks are not as bad as others, but the chase network is not included among the "not as bad" in my opinion. Second, the race format should *not* include fuel strategy. Change tank capacity on a per track basis if needed to avoid this. If I want to watch fuel economy I'll watch Lance Armstrong, OK? I do give props for instituting the double file restarts. Third, the car specs. This business of leaders checking out due to clean air has to end. People don't want to watch a 180 mph parade. Fourth the chase format. Adjust the points awarded to tighten up the points awarded spread. If you want twelve drivers to duke it out in post season, why are the points awarded relative to all drivers on the track? Why not award relative to the twelve only? Sure Johnson would probably win in that format too, but at least it would keep the others in it for a longer period of time... Restrictor plate races...cap the top speed with gear ratios, not carb restrictors. If someone wants to over-rev and float a valve while trying to gain an advantage in the straights that should be their choice. Just let the cars with the best setup for the turns and the strongest engine for exit duke it out for the win. I'd rather see a bunch of blown engines on the final straight than a bunch of cars flying thru the air as if they've been clobbered by the mother of all bowling balls... So here are some suggested items as food for thought. Maybe they lead to some better ideas or maybe some can help as-is and maybe they're no help at all. But NASCAR please start thinking about how to fix the fundamental problem before it's too late. You have a viable product, it just needs some tweaking to keep up with the current times in my opinion. That some are attempting to recast the debate as “should announcers state the obvious” as opposed to having insiders discuss “the obvious” and fix it, is symptomatic of a much greater problem.

Sure, it’s stupid for those calling the race to actually say it’s boring. But the bottom line is they said it because it’s true.

And until the insiders come to grips with that reality, they are going to continue enjoying the current trajectory of declining popularity of the sport.

So in my humble opinion, the insiders need to ask hard questions that directly address the fundamental issue – which is that many if not most races are boring as viewed on TV – and that the chase format is boring when one driver dominates, all the more so when they dominate for several years on end.

First, broadcasters should have a true race person as producer. It is so painfully obvious that the producer knows nothing about racing when watching the televised event. Some networks are not as bad as others, but the chase network is not included among the “not as bad” in my opinion.

Second, the race format should *not* include fuel strategy. Change tank capacity on a per track basis if needed to avoid this. If I want to watch fuel economy I’ll watch Lance Armstrong, OK? I do give props for instituting the double file restarts.

Third, the car specs. This business of leaders checking out due to clean air has to end. People don’t want to watch a 180 mph parade.

Fourth the chase format. Adjust the points awarded to tighten up the points awarded spread. If you want twelve drivers to duke it out in post season, why are the points awarded relative to all drivers on the track? Why not award relative to the twelve only? Sure Johnson would probably win in that format too, but at least it would keep the others in it for a longer period of time…

Restrictor plate races…cap the top speed with gear ratios, not carb restrictors. If someone wants to over-rev and float a valve while trying to gain an advantage in the straights that should be their choice. Just let the cars with the best setup for the turns and the strongest engine for exit duke it out for the win. I’d rather see a bunch of blown engines on the final straight than a bunch of cars flying thru the air as if they’ve been clobbered by the mother of all bowling balls…

So here are some suggested items as food for thought. Maybe they lead to some better ideas or maybe some can help as-is and maybe they’re no help at all. But NASCAR please start thinking about how to fix the fundamental problem before it’s too late. You have a viable product, it just needs some tweaking to keep up with the current times in my opinion.

]]> By: Jon http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18456 Jon Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:26:54 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18456 When I first started watching NASCAR in the early 90s you never heard much negative from the announcers or writers. It seemed that they were all excited about the sport and that excitement carried over in their telecasts and articles. The sport never was and never will be perfect; it is live and unscripted and that is a good thing. The negativity from the people covering the sport now is amazing when you consider that they make their living (and probably a pretty good one) covering it. There was an article by Jay Hart Tuesday in which he stated that NASCAR should cut the schedule to 30 races and only have six 500 milers. I sent him an email pretty much asking him why he is covering a sport he apparently is sick of. The other thing is perception. With the internet and sirius radio any one with a computer or a telephone can prove to millions of people just how ignorant they are. Unfortunately negative people tend to want to voice their opinions more than positive ones. Love NASCAR, won't miss a race and wish they still had a 500 miler at Dover. Go Martin. When I first started watching NASCAR in the early 90s you never heard much negative from the announcers or writers. It seemed that they were all excited about the sport and that excitement carried over in their telecasts and articles. The sport never was and never will be perfect; it is live and unscripted and that is a good thing. The negativity from the people covering the sport now is amazing when you consider that they make their living (and probably a pretty good one) covering it. There was an article by Jay Hart Tuesday in which he stated that NASCAR should cut the schedule to 30 races and only have six 500 milers. I sent him an email pretty much asking him why he is covering a sport he apparently is sick of. The other thing is perception. With the internet and sirius radio any one with a computer or a telephone can prove to millions of people just how ignorant they are. Unfortunately negative people tend to want to voice their opinions more than positive ones. Love NASCAR, won’t miss a race and wish they still had a 500 miler at Dover. Go Martin.

]]> By: West Coast Kenny http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18360 West Coast Kenny Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:10:25 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18360 MPM, do you remember Don Meredith singing "Turn out the lights, the party's over!" Journo, I know that I didn't like Dega and for that matter all the races since it became a more or less done-deal that the 48 was going to clinch. Despite the crash in Texas, I still think he's going to win big. I didn't like watching the peloton go around and around Dega. I give Dale Jarrett a lot of credit for calling the race the way it was. I thought it was dull, and if he had tried to ignore that, I would have thought he was a NASCAR shill. West Coast Kenny Alameda, California MPM, do you remember Don Meredith singing “Turn out the lights, the party’s over!”

Journo, I know that I didn’t like Dega and for that matter all the races since it became a more or less done-deal that the 48 was going to clinch. Despite the crash in Texas, I still think he’s going to win big.

I didn’t like watching the peloton go around and around Dega. I give Dale Jarrett a lot of credit for calling the race the way it was. I thought it was dull, and if he had tried to ignore that, I would have thought he was a NASCAR shill.

West Coast Kenny
Alameda, California

]]> By: Richard in N.C. http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18354 Richard in N.C. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:59:02 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18354 If the race broadcast is mediocre, as EESPN's has been most of the time, and then some supposed media experts write that the race was boring, some fans are going to be convinced that the race was boring, especially those fans who did not get to see the race - and of course the broadcasters can made a race boring if they cover it poorly. If the race broadcast is mediocre, as EESPN’s has been most of the time, and then some supposed media experts write that the race was boring, some fans are going to be convinced that the race was boring, especially those fans who did not get to see the race – and of course the broadcasters can made a race boring if they cover it poorly.

]]> By: MPM http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18352 MPM Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:13:13 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18352 I seem to recall several Monday night football games when Frank Gifford would sing-song, "Put ou the fire and call in the dogs, this one is over" indicating to viewers that there was no sense in staying up any later, the outcome was decided. That's not being negative (though I doubt it helped ratings), it was just being honest. A 21 point gap and five minutes to play? It's over. Anyone who actually thinks that the media determines how fans feel about a race greatly overestimates the power of the written word and the intelligence of stock car racing fans. MPM I seem to recall several Monday night football games when Frank Gifford would sing-song, “Put ou the fire and call in the dogs, this one is over” indicating to viewers that there was no sense in staying up any later, the outcome was decided. That’s not being negative (though I doubt it helped ratings), it was just being honest. A 21 point gap and five minutes to play? It’s over.

Anyone who actually thinks that the media determines how fans feel about a race greatly overestimates the power of the written word and the intelligence of stock car racing fans.

MPM

]]> By: Big John http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18347 Big John Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:46:09 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18347 I give ABC alot of credit telling the fans that the racing sucked because that's the truth. That race did suck! Maybe Nascar will wake up and see that their product is going in the toilet if a few high profile people start speaking their mind a little bit. As far as Brian Frances interview with Dustin Long, his answers made about as much sense as Miss South Carolina . "I personally believe...." I give ABC alot of credit telling the fans that the racing sucked because that’s the truth. That race did suck! Maybe Nascar will wake up and see that their product is going in the toilet if a few high profile people start speaking their mind a little bit. As far as Brian Frances interview with Dustin Long, his answers made about as much sense as Miss South Carolina . “I personally believe….”

]]> By: Richard in N.C. http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18343 Richard in N.C. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:32:10 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18343 I am biased. I have been a fan since RP ran the hemi and once tried to convince my now ex-wife that a yellow superbird would make the perfect family car. I love the sport, warts and all. What galls me is that I find there is a substantial part of the media that is always finding fault with NASCAR - everything is at least bad, if not worse. Honest criticism is one thing, but it is another thing to constantly bash NASCAR, apparently to attract attention or satisfy a grudge. I've been a fan long enough that I have learned the writers who I find to be grossly slanted and now I just no longer waste my time reading them. I do believe that the constant negativity of many writers does influence some potential fans, or at least reinforces the negative perception of a certain segment of those that have some interest in the sport. I am biased. I have been a fan since RP ran the hemi and once tried to convince my now ex-wife that a yellow superbird would make the perfect family car. I love the sport, warts and all. What galls me is that I find there is a substantial part of the media that is always finding fault with NASCAR – everything is at least bad, if not worse. Honest criticism is one thing, but it is another thing to constantly bash NASCAR, apparently to attract attention or satisfy a grudge. I’ve been a fan long enough that I have learned the writers who I find to be grossly slanted and now I just no longer waste my time reading them. I do believe that the constant negativity of many writers does influence some potential fans, or at least reinforces the negative perception of a certain segment of those that have some interest in the sport.

]]> By: Charles http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18337 Charles Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:14:57 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18337 I totally disagree with Darrell Waltips analogy about! ' if you go to a restaurant and you been going to the same restaurant for years and read in the paper its a bad restaurant even if they change cheif you will stop going to the same restaurant!" Lets put that in Nascar Logic, "If I was going to the same restaurant and was that loyal for years and the food was still great and no problems I would still go back nomatter what the newspaper said!!!!!!!!!!! Now if the food and service started to get bad then I wouid stop going, or if the cheif "Nascar" started to tell me the food was great even though I didnt like it as before because somthing was different and I was using the same taste buds as before then I would stop going!!!!!!! I totally disagree with Darrell Waltips analogy about!

‘ if you go to a restaurant and you been going to the same restaurant for years and read in the paper its a bad restaurant even if they change cheif you will stop going to the same restaurant!”

Lets put that in Nascar Logic, “If I was going to the same restaurant and was that loyal for years and the food was still great and no problems I would still go back nomatter what the newspaper said!!!!!!!!!!! Now if the food and service started to get bad then I wouid stop going, or if the cheif “Nascar” started to tell me the food was great even though I didnt like it as before because somthing was different and I was using the same taste buds as before then I would stop going!!!!!!!

]]> By: Lydia http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/2009/11/09/nascar-perception-and-the-media/comment-page-1/#comment-18326 Lydia Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:08:10 +0000 http://www.thenascarinsiders.com/?p=2322#comment-18326 I can't say I have enjoyed the coverage..but I don't see much difference between ESPN ABC FOX or any other... I prefer to watch the race..not gophers, tech shops, fixing a car in the garage to get back to the race for over an hour, not replay after replay after replay, not just the top 3 cars, not the "point update as of that very second". I don't need 6 analysts, commentators or whatever they are. I appreciate the effort put into going to the tech shop and showing us exactly what is happening..springs, valves, drivetrain, potty break..whatever! That's nice..but show it later..make a half hour show and have it as a weekly staple. I would rather see more on track racing...all 43 positions..then all the "fillers" they seem to have to come up with. Did I mind Dega when the commentators were wondering what the heck was this 43 car train running around the track...no..not at all..And TRUST ME..the commentators didn't make me feel this way..I have a brain! I would have thought they lost theirs if they had gone on "OH! What great racing..look DJ..they're running nose to tail..how exciting!" Give me a break! And Texas..hey I was thrilled to see JJ wreck...at least something happened! And why shouldn't the announcers show emotion too? These are commentators of a race on for entertainment...not the 7:00 p.m. hard news. Come on..it's needed to keep us interested. If YOU think the media .. written and TV...sway us fans..you are sadly misguided. Fans have drivers, teams, and manufacturers they follow. I read alot online..but it doesn't change how I look at the drivers or the races. AND trust me Mr. France..it doesn't sway how I feel about the state of NASCAR. NASCAR has it's problems because of ITSELF..not because the fans are being swayed by some "rogue media"! I think most fans are smart enough to read about and watch NASCAR races and form their own opinion.... It seems to me unless we march to the beat of Mr. Frances' drum...we are considered morons. It would be SO SO out of line if because NASCAR doesn't like what has been said or done..that the media change their approach....THEN we do have a problem...a BIG one. I can’t say I have enjoyed the coverage..but I don’t see much difference between ESPN ABC FOX or any other… I prefer to watch the race..not gophers, tech shops, fixing a car in the garage to get back to the race for over an hour, not replay after replay after replay, not just the top 3 cars, not the “point update as of that very second”. I don’t need 6 analysts, commentators or whatever they are. I appreciate the effort put into going to the tech shop and showing us exactly what is happening..springs, valves, drivetrain, potty break..whatever! That’s nice..but show it later..make a half hour show and have it as a weekly staple. I would rather see more on track racing…all 43 positions..then all the “fillers” they seem to have to come up with. Did I mind Dega when the commentators were wondering what the heck was this 43 car train running around the track…no..not at all..And TRUST ME..the commentators didn’t make me feel this way..I have a brain! I would have thought they lost theirs if they had gone on “OH! What great racing..look DJ..they’re running nose to tail..how exciting!” Give me a break! And Texas..hey I was thrilled to see JJ wreck…at least something happened! And why shouldn’t the announcers show emotion too? These are commentators of a race on for entertainment…not the 7:00 p.m. hard news. Come on..it’s needed to keep us interested. If YOU think the media .. written and TV…sway us fans..you are sadly misguided. Fans have drivers, teams, and manufacturers they follow. I read alot online..but it doesn’t change how I look at the drivers or the races. AND trust me Mr. France..it doesn’t sway how I feel about the state of NASCAR. NASCAR has it’s problems because of ITSELF..not because the fans are being swayed by some “rogue media”! I think most fans are smart enough to read about and watch NASCAR races and form their own opinion…. It seems to me unless we march to the beat of Mr. Frances’ drum…we are considered morons. It would be SO SO out of line if because NASCAR doesn’t like what has been said or done..that the media change their approach….THEN we do have a problem…a BIG one.

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