NASCAR, Tracks Look To Attract Fans Amid Struggling Economy
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NASCAR Looking For Ways To Keep Fans
Coming To Track During Lean Economic Times |
NASCAR is “feeling the impact of tough economic times, and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better,” according to Jerry Bonkowski of YAHOO SPORTS. At last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 at Michigan Int’l Speedway there were “gaping holes in the grandstands, less-than-full campgrounds and the ridiculously easy traffic in and out of MIS, where three-hour gridlock is the norm. If there ever was a sign of the times, this was it.” Also, by now most hotel rooms "within 50 miles of Daytona Beach would have been reserved" for the July 5 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. But as of Wednesday, “hundreds of rooms remain empty from Daytona to Orlando -- and will likely remain that way.” Meanwhile, NASCAR teams “have seen their fuel budgets spike as much as 40[%],” and those “struggling the most are smaller teams with the leanest budgets.” While ticket and concession stand prices “remain the same, tracks have tried to follow NASCAR [Chair & CEO] Brian France’s suggestion earlier this year to work with local businesses to give fans a little more bang for their buck.” But NASCAR “can’t demand that hotels, rental car companies and other businesses radically reduce their prices.” NASCAR Managing Dir of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston said that NASCAR as of now has “no plans to shorten any events” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/19). NASCAR Senior Advisor Ken Clapp said the current gas prices "are going to have an effect to a degree" on the sport. But he added, "At the level of racing of Sprint Cup, I'm not terribly concerned. I think we'll continue to have wonderful crowds" (Fox Business, 6/20).
STEP ON THE GAS: In L.A. Jim Peltz wrote some tracks have “rolled out promotions in hopes of preventing even steeper drops in attendance.” Infineon Raceway is offering a $195 family package for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 that includes four race tickets, hot dogs, soft drinks and a $10 gasoline card that "represented a $100 savings off normal prices." Also, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, cite of the June 29 Sprint Cup Series Lenox Industrial Tools 301, will pay one fan’s mortgage for the rest of the year, up to $2,500 a month, while 20 others will receive $500 gas cards (L.A. TIMES, 6/19). Additionally, SMI Chair & CEO Bruton Smith and Bristol Motor Speedway GM Jeff Byrd are “close to an agreement with a major oil company to supply ticket holders with affinity cards, where fans who drive to [the track] will be able to buy gas at a reduced price” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/19).
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