Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

Earnhardt's Retirement Leaves NASCAR With Questions As To Where Series Goes From Here

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s announcement that he will retire from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series after the '17 season "could provide a brief stimulus to the reeling series, as fans tune in to catch their final glimpses of the 14-time most popular driver behind the wheel," according to Jim Ayello of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. However, it is likely that NASCAR has "more body blows to endure, as many of its remaining stars are nearing retirement age," including 41-year-olds Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, as well as 45-year-old Matt Kenseth. There are some "young faces who could step into a larger spotlight," such as Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski. The question is whether any of them can "fill the massive voids left" by the recent retirements of "enormously popular" drivers like Earnhardt, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/26). NBCSPORTS.com's Dustin Long wrote it is now "time for all the young drivers to make their mark on the sport, reach out to the fan base and become the leaders who will guide NASCAR for the coming years." No single driver "can replace Earnhardt," and no one can or will be "asked to shoulder so much of the sport as Earnhardt has throughout his career" (NBCSPORTS.com, 4/25). YAHOO SPORTS' Nick Bromberg wrote there will be a "massive personality void" next season, and the pressure is "now on the series' 20-somethings to fill it." The "good news for NASCAR is that they’re already handling the performance aspect of it." Three of the top four drivers in the points standings through the first quarter of the season -- Larson, Logano and Chase Elliott -- "are all 26 or younger." However, it is "not going to be a seamless transition," as a fanbase "takes time to develop" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/25).

LEAVING A HUGE HOLE: In Norfolk, Harry Minium writes Earnhardt's retirement is "bad news for NASCAR, which is desperately trying to tap the brakes on an alarming decline in attendance and TV ratings." NASCAR is "safe for now" due to its 10-year, $8.2B TV deal that runs through '24. But when that deal "runs out, the sport clearly is headed for trying financial times." Officials can "only hope that a new generation of racing stars will emerge, and in a hurry" (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 4/26). In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg wrote the news leaves a "gaping hole for a series already reeling from significant downturns in TV audience and ticket sales." Even with Earnhardt still racing, NASCAR has "endured a steady drop in fan interest during the past decade." Earnhardt's departure is the "last and largest step in a generational shift" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/25). ESPN's Jackie MacMullan noted Earnhardt "appeals to the everyman and the everywoman that probably doesn't follow NASCAR that closely." MacMullan: "This is a huge loss for that sport." ESPN's Kevin Blackistone: "It's a very tough time for NASCAR because ratings have been going down, down, down for the last three years. One of the reasons they were optimistic about this year was because Dale Earnhardt Jr. was coming back” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 4/25). In N.Y., Juliet Macur writes NASCAR "should be worried about its future" without Earnhardt, as he was "able to transcend his series and his sport." He "bridged NASCAR eras, from the days of men like his father -- products of the South who drove fast but looked and sounded as if they could rebuild the cars they frequently broke (because they often could) -- to a new generation of professional racers who at times seemed like corporate pitchmen who couldn’t tell the difference between a carburetor and an alternator." Earnhardt's popularity has "buoyed NASCAR as it struggles to preserve its relevancy as a major sport" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/26).

DALE IS IRREPLACEABLE
: In DC, Liz Clarke writes NASCAR has "always been driven by the cult of personality," which is "why the retirement of Earnhardt is so profound." NASCAR's appeal has "never resided in the rule book" nor is it "under the hoods of the racecars." It "resides in the drivers" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/26). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote Earnhardt has "become the face and voice of everything NASCAR wants its drivers to be -- funny, engaged, competitive, honest, respectful and above all, true to himself." NASCAR is "going to miss the hell out" of him when he leaves. Busbee: "You could make a strong case that he was more popular -- or at least more universally beloved -- than his father ever was" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/25). In Orlando, George Diaz writes Earnhardt "will be irreplaceable, no matter what marketing plan NASCAR has in mind" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/26). In Greensboro, Ed Hardin writes NASCAR now "has no face." For the first time in the history of NASCAR, there is "no apparent heir." The question now is "who can carry it after he's gone." Hardin: "The bigger question is whether anyone will care" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 4/26).

STICKING AROUND: Earnhardt said that he will "stay in the sport as a NASCAR Xfinity Series car owner and help Hendrick Motorsports in various capacities." He added that he will "compete in two Xfinity races" in '18 (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 4/26). SPORTING NEWS' Reid Spencer wrote Earnhardt will "maintain a higher visibility as a car owner and as a go-to spokesperson for the sport" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 4/25). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said Earnhardt is "going to be in the game, he’ll own a team.” He is "not going anywhere.” ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser asked, "You’re not going to be surprised if he walks right into the television booth as an announcer?” (“PTI,” ESPN, 4/25). ESPN's Blackistone noted Earnhardt has "transcended the sport" and there is "so much more he can do" in retirement ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 4/25).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/04/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Dale-Jr.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/04/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Dale-Jr.aspx

CLOSE