NASCAR in the Next Decade: The Storylines that will Shape the Future
… drug testing policy where they refused to provide competitors a list of banned substances. And in 2009, long time driver Jeremy Mayfield, was the first driver to face a suspension for use of a banned substance. The drug was later identified as Methamphetamine, or more commonly known as Meth. (See my blog post in the summer of 2009 for more information – NASCAR in Peril: Victory for Jeremy Mayfield in Drug Testing Legal Battle ). What NASCAR didn’t anticipate was Mayfield fighting back …
End of an Era: NASCAR Scene Ceases?
2009 was a dreadful year for the print publications and it appears a mainstay in the NASCAR industry is also on the brink. It’s no secret that after the boom years of NASCAR earlier this decade, advertisers and sponsors have left the sport in droves – but until now the primary victims were racing teams. But on Monday, this time it was NASCAR Scene and its website, Scene Daily.
According …
NASCAR Teams – Take a Stand!
… is Ask.com, which spent about $4 million on its team deal with Hall of Fame Racing for the 2009 season and likely won’t spend more than that on the next deal, if indeed, the search engine decides to stay in the sport. Big name sponsors Allstate, DeWalt, Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam will leave after this year, choosing to save that money or spend it elsewhere.
And of course, we are all aware of the market forces pushing the automakers to reduce their financial exposure to NASCAR – …
NASCAR in Peril: Victory for Jeremy Mayfield in Drug Testing Legal Battle
Mayfield leaving the U.S. District Court: Source AP
Earlier today, Jeremy Mayfield was granted preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court in Charlotte, NC – lifting his suspension levied by NASCAR – so he will be allowed to race this weekend at Daytona. This initial victory for Mayfield presents potential challenges for NASCAR and their credibility.
For those who are …
The Death Spiral Continues….NASCAR on Fox
… Cola 600, 12 NASCAR races averaged a 5.1/11 rating and 8.5 million viewers on FOX during the 2009 season, down 11% in ratings and 9% in viewers from a 5.7/12 and 9.3 million last year, and the lowest rated season ever for NASCAR on FOX.
Last Sunday’s Autism Speaks 400 drew a 4.0/10 final rating on FOX, down 11% from a 4.5/11 for the same race last year.
Every single, solitary NASCAR Sprint Cup telecast on FOX — all twelve races, the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 …
NASCAR’s Business Model Hits the Wall
… Center. Just back in December, NASCAR issued a statement stating that NASCAR heading into 2009 was “strong”.
This outlook is a rather quick reversal, but perhaps the gravity of the current economic climate and mass sponsor deflections is making an impact.
Doing more with less? Working with teams to develop new business models? I apologize, but in my humble opinion, it’s a little too late for a half-baked plan. But even worse and what is frustrating is NASCAR’s continued …
NASCAR’s Statements Require a Willing Suspension of Disbelief
RE: NASCAR Says: Sport looks strong heading into 2009
Quoting the former Presidential Candidate and Senator Hillary Clinton, NASCAR statements on Friday truly requires a “willing suspension of disbelief” if they want us to think the “sport looks strong heading into 2009.”
Nothing could be further from the truth and it pains me to see the sport I love destroyed by in-action and failure to comprehend the gravity of the economic …
The Failing NASCAR Economy: A Time for Action!
… impact on NASCAR teams and the sport as a whole – but does it really need to be this way? In 2009, there will be significantly less Sprint Cup teams competing on a weekly basis – and yet, in economic downturns other sports such as the NFL or NBA do not have reductions in teams. Why is this so? The answer is rather simple – other sports operate as a democracy with all teams participating in the economic benefits of the television contracts; while NASCAR on the other hand, is …
Survival of the Fittest? – NASCAR Teams Look to Consolidation
… indication that Dodge is saying “bye bye” to NASCAR.
It’s rather apparent, that in 2009 the pit lane of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series will be dominated and owned by just a few organizations. One must wonder – will NASCAR reverse their policy to limit teams to just 4 cars? – Because in 2010, Roush Fenway Racing will be required to “sell” one of their teams which is expected to be transferred to Yates Racing. However, NASCAR may reverse or postpone plans to prevent any …
Dodge Exits the NASCAR Truck Series
… to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series which has yet to find a title sponsor to replace Craftsman in 2009 and beyond. In 2009, Dodge will not provide any financial support to any teams in the series. Dodge Motorsports senior manager Mike Delahanty said,
“We’ll have no factory-funded teams.”
Delahanty told ESPN.com,
“When times are tough, there are certain things that are lower on the priority list than others.”
This leaves us to ponder: Are the other series next? For …
BMW Sauber F1 Eyeing Alonso
… seen any real drama or excitement with driver swaps and changes as the paddock prepares for the 2009 season. But is that about to change?
As many F1 enthusiasts know, Fernando Alonso is calculating and plotting his next career move in order to place him back with a championship caliber racing team. Most motorsports’ analysts have assumed Alonso would stay at Renault for another year and then head to Scuderia Ferrari in 2010. But this may not happen – at least that is the opinion of …
Joe Gibbs Racing 2009 Teammates Could Make Interesting Brew
… receive the nod from Joe Gibbs to replace Tony Stewart in the #20 Home Depot Toyota Camry for the 2009 season.
The Joe Gibbs Racing plans call for the 18-year old to make his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Richmond International Raceway on September 6th, with additional races to be announced within the next 2-3 weeks.
Logano has had an impressive racing career over the past several years as he moved from ASA to the NASCAR ladder system. But one most wonder if he is moving to Sprint Cup too …
Stewart Haas Racing Taking Shape
… Haas Racing. Is this just a mere coincidence? Or will the two Indiana natives be teammates in 2009? All signs point to a Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman duo which ought to light up the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2009.
The 2008 Daytona 500 Champion career win for Ryan Newman failed to live up to the potential of his early years in NASCAR. Would a new team be the answer to reignite his career? Perhaps, but I suspect that the spark needed for Ryan Newman’s career may simply be to reunite with …
The Verdict is In –Tony Stewart’s 2009 Season
… about his plans to race under the rebranded Stewart Haas Racing (formerly, HAAS CNC Racing) for 2009 and beyond – I posted a poll question asking my readers about their predication for Tony Stewart’s success in 2009.
Personally, I am shocked by the overwhelming predication of more than 5 wins for Stewart. While I personally agree with my readers, that Tony Stewart will find more success next year than this – 5+ victories would be a tremendous achievement.
The most intriguing …
Team Consolidation on the Horizon
… of the two organizations; a talented driver like Juan Pablo Montoya should perform far better in 2009 than any of the organizations’ current teams and drivers.
In early 2007, I recall many NASCAR insiders suggesting that the 43 car field needed to be expanded to accommodate all the “new” teams and the “growing” enterprises which make up the Sprint Cup Series. Boy, haven’t the times quickly changed? In 2009, 43 competitive cars in the field will only be a sweet memory. …
Success for Tony Stewart in 2009 @ Stewart HAAS Racing?
View Poll
Share and Enjoy:
…
The Nationwide Series Will Live Another Day – COT on Hold
… and it would be financially inconceivable and ultimately would devastate the Nationwide Series in 2009.
Back in May, I wrote an article Car of Tomorrow (COT) – Friend or Foe for the Nationwide Series ; where I foretold of the impending disaster of the COT for the Nationwide Series and quoted Dale Earnhardt Jr. about his race team’s future plans and the viability of the Nationwide Series with the COT:
And they’re going to bring a COT in and we won’t be able to race in the …
Survival for Some – Playground for Others
… control of their family’s storied racing team in order to ensure the team’s survival in 2009 and beyond.
This week Petty Enterprises became a part of the growing trend of NASCAR teams who have sought partners for necessary investment capital. Petty announced that Boston Ventures – a media and entertainment private equity firm – has acquired a majority position of the historical racing team.
With this announcement, Petty Enterprises adds its name to the list of racing teams …
Car of Tomorrow (COT) – Friend or Foe for the Nationwide Series?
… Series Team Owners to take a stand and demand financial assistance from NASCAR to adopt the COT in 2009. If Dale Jr. can’t afford to- who in the world can?
Share and Enjoy:
NASCAR Silly Season 2008
… enhanced expectations of corporate sponsors, drivers must be careful to choose the right team for 2009 and the future. Just look at DEI, Michael Waltrip Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Hass CNC Racing, Richard Petty Enterprises and Yates Racing – all are in dire need of sponsorship. And yet, you must give credit where credit is due – Travis Kvapil (my former driver at Bang! Racing) is doing an exceptional job for Yates Racing – but honestly, I don’t believe that sponsors are lined up at …
-
Latest tweets
