NASCAR Sprint Cup: Sturgis, South Dakota Is a Great Choice for the Next Track

Over the past few years, NASCAR ticket sales have noticeably waned. The 2011 season has seen some slight improvements, but with a still sluggish economy and slow job creation it is not quite what it once was.

Sponsorships are fewer and far between; many of those companies that do sponsor drivers and race teams have at least constricted some funding.

That said, it is probably not the best time for NASCAR executives to seriously consider opening up new markets and building new facilities.

The Sprint Cup debut at Kentucky Speedway went horribly awry earlier this year, thus NASCAR will most likely be hyper-sensitive before committing to another new venue and location in the future.

However, there is at least one glaring weakness on the 2012 schedule that really deserves to be changed in the future.

Currently, Pocono Raceway gets two Sprint Cup races per year. Drivers have noted that this is one of the most boring tracks on the circuit. Speaking strictly as a fan, I concur with their conclusion because watching it is, frankly, not exciting. Three turns and the longest straightaways in NASCAR are apparently a recipe for dull stock car racing.

Even NASCAR itself has conceded this reality, without directly saying so: Both 2012 races there were shortened from 500 miles down to 400 miles.

In no way should NASCAR abandon Pocono altogether. Simply, it better serves the fans to have only one race at the "Tricky Triangle" and try to open up the fan experience to another location.

The second Pocono race is the race that should be nixed. This year, it happened during the first week in August; next year is slated for the same thing.

What if, on the other hand, NASCAR built a track and moved the second Pocono race out to Sturgis, SD? Traditionally, the first week in August witnesses the huge Sturgis Bike Rally in the town.

It attracts anywhere from 400 thousand to 600 thousand people annually, including families. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are forbidden to wear their "colors" in an effort to keep the gathering as peaceful as possible.

The point is, Sturgis, located right off of the interstate in western South Dakota, holds a traditional event that already attracts hundreds of thousands of people during the exact time frame that one of its blandest races is held.

This could be a truly new and great experience. Of course, not all the rally-goers would be attracted to the race. However, all who go to Sturgis are attracted to machinery that goes loud and fast. There is vast potential for community crossover.

Unfortunately, Pocono will continue to get its two annual races. NASCAR would be wise to look at some alternatives in the future to continue to grow and popularize the sport.