In recent years, NASCAR has faced various challenges, from declining viewership to changing demographics and heightened competition from other sports. However, the potential for the sport's resurgence is palpable. By embracing innovation, enhancing fan engagement, and fostering a more inclusive environment, NASCAR can reclaim its status as a premier sporting spectacle. From revamping race formats to investing in digital technologies and amplifying diversity initiatives, the path to greatness is within reach.
NASCAR has been the most professional, entertaining form of stock car auto racing in the country since 1948. NASCAR hit their peak in 2006 with the Daytona 500 being the most watched NASCAR race in its history at 20 million viewers. From 2001-2006 NASCAR experienced their largest consistent increase in viewership. Since 2006 NASCAR has seen a steady decline in fans, attendance, and viewership. The 2021 Daytona 500 set a record-low in viewership for NASCAR with 4.83 million viewers. The sharp decrease year-after-year is clear evidence that NASCAR is dead/has been dying. So that leaves the key question, how can NASCAR become more relevant?
· Get rid of high downforce and reduced horsepower.
The introduction to the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) to NASCAR in 2006 proved to be a large factor in the decline of NASCAR. The newly designed stock cars were denounced by everyone within the racing community. High downforce and reduced horsepower combined with the Generation 6 cars make it extremely difficult to pass the leader of the race and the pack up front. Kyle Busch claimed that it feels like “hitting a wall of air” when you approach the leading (first place) driver. This results in very boring, poor quality races and not much exciting movement. Why would NASCAR want this? This needs to change ASAP, if it does change, watch the viewership, attendance, etc. to improve.
· Shorter Races
The main thing a casual NASCAR fan complains about is the time length of races. Baseball faces a similar situation, in an effort to speed up the game, they started setting up a timer in between pitches. NASCAR races do not need to be 500 miles long, that makes for an excruciatingly long race for the drivers themselves and fans. The drivers are inside 110+ degree cars for sometimes 5+ hours, now imagine that. Also, most of the races take place on a hot sunny afternoon in the middle of the summer. Fans do not want to sit outside for 5-6 hours with the sun beaming on them. Another idea is to add more night races and build lights at all racetracks. Too often are races cut short due to the sunset at tracks with no lights. Races that are short and packed with action are much more appealing to casual fans than a race that simply goes on and on and on.
· Shorter Season
When I say, “shorter season” I am referring to the fact the NASCAR season runs from early February to late November. 36 races seems like quite a lot, not to mention the fact NASCAR playoffs take place on Sunday’s during the NFL season. If NASCAR wants to garner more attention and improve ratings, especially during their playoffs, they should end the season before the NFL starts. The majority of NASCAR fans are also NFL fans who have been waiting 7 months for football on Sunday’s. Can’t get more American than the NASCAR Championship race on Labor Day weekend, who says no?
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