NASCAR Reconnecting With Fans

Brian France, NASCAR chairman stated on MondayFrance faced numerous questions last year for the
that chain officials will decrease the changes andreason that the sport's playoff scheme hadn't
clinch the sport instructions of the past during thisformed a seal close since Kurt Busch won
season. He admitted two months ago that NASCARdramatically the title in 2004.
was not connected closer to the nucleus fansAs France hasn't produced big modifications, it
sufficiently, especially after bad TV ratings and adoesn't imply that the sport is not moving forward.
decline in the audience attending the tracks for aFor example: NASCAR top two series have new
second consecutive campaign.names this campaign. Also; the Car of Tomorrow
The newspaper USA Today informed about the bigwas used only in half of the races last year, now it
losses NASCAR had in TV ratings and that thiswill run in every race this season. There will be also
situation arose in the sports followers who profile annew drivers, mostly rookies this year.
age of 55 and older and the constant changesHowever; on Monday NASCAR stated just slightly
meaning the sport's interest has decrease.changes to take place. Some of the changes are that
"Change is good to a certain point and we've got allthe teams will not be assured to classify despite initial
the change that the sport can stand and needs,"good positioning instead the spot will classify them
France said.collectively at the end of the campaign. Moreover;
Some fans commended France's declaration andThe Cup teams will obtain only 200 tires (50 sets) for
questioned to the management of NASCAR last fall,trying at non-NASCAR sanctioned tracks. Also; the
saying: "We're just... hoping something is going toteams can't spin tires back to the pit wall during a
make us interested and happy." "That gives us hope,stop. And the squads can't push a car on pit road
gives us promise, which remained critical of the series.more than three pit stalls. The fines taxed by
We don't see anything more than they can changeNASCAR will go to charity instead of the teams in
right now."the end season fund distribution.