NASCAR Woes: All-Star Challenge Needs a Facelift

This format is different than in years past, where there were only 3 segments, with the final segment left up to a fan vote as to whether or not the field would be inverted on the restart (and it always was).  It was exciting to see Earnhardt and Gordon get shuffled all the way to the back of the pack and have to really race their way back into a position to win.

It made for some extremely exciting finishes, like when Kyle Petty and Davey Allison wrecked coming across the finish line on the final lap in 1992.  Davey never even knew he had won, as he was airlifted, unconscious, to a hospital in Charlotte.

These are the kinds of exciting storybook races fans come to see.  The current format may be a new twist, but it is already old and confusing.  Fans don’t like confusion. They want to know what to expect; they want to be informed.  This used to be a driver’s race, but now it has become more of a team event. 

While that may play well to the teams themselves, this is supposed to be an event for the fans, not the race teams.  It is supposed to engage the fans and be a special “thank you” for their continued support.  That is why there are no points awarded for the race.  It is meant to encourage the drivers to go for the money, excite the fans, and leave it all on the track. 

NASCAR officials say it they want to get back to their roots and their original fan base, but so far this season there hasn’t been much proof in their disclaimer.  NASCAR needs to start actually listening to their fans and stop being so concerned with the attendance and the money.  Start being more creative in how the money is spent, please the fans, and the rest will take care of itself. 

A good step in that direction might be to reinstate a second race at Darlington, on Labor Day.  Reinstate the Southern 500 in all its glory, and take away the second California date.  California fans are a fickle lot and probably still won’t fill the stands with one date. 

A second idea would be to stop trying to expand into unknown markets.  Rockingham and North Wilkesboro have perfectly good tracks that used to host events.  Bring one of them back and stop making people drive all over God’s green Earth to see their favorite sport.  Bring NASCAR back to its roots!

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