If automakers get a bailout, should NASCAR die?
A columnist over at Slate.com is recommending -- and not lightly, he wants you to know -- that with the domestic automakers enduring "Detroit's version of The Troubles," now would be a good time to "euthanize" NASCAR. He makes a long argument, but the crux of it is simple: if the domestics get a heap of money from the government, should that money really be used to sponsor a specialized race series that arguably doesn't have the national pull or the return it once did? His supporting arguments are sometimes disingenuous and occasionally slightly off-base, but the question is worth considering. If the public loans money to the automakers, who decides where that money is spent? Yet, if Ford, GM, and Chrysler were to do the same thing to NASCAR that Honda, Suzuki, Audi, and Subaru have been doing, well... that would leave NASCAR as a one-make series featuring, ta-da, Toyota. And wouldn't that be something to see? Thanks for the tip, Josh!
[Source: Slate]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 47)
Justin 6:36PM (12/16/2008)
NASCAR should die regardless...
Reply
hyundaifans.com 6:41PM (12/16/2008)
+1.
Alvin 6:52PM (12/16/2008)
Agreed. +1
exkart 9:14PM (12/16/2008)
I agree also, though the fans and loss of jobs would make me think twice about that.
larry a 4:11AM (12/17/2008)
+1, i want to watch something else on speed besides nascar practice and pinks
Paul 7:29AM (12/17/2008)
And why should it die? Because you don't like it?
I really don't care if it stays or it goes, but if it goes, make a business case for it going, don't act like a baby that thinks everything they are not into should disappear.
BoneHeadOtto 1:14PM (12/17/2008)
it should die if its fanbase cannot support it. But it should not get a single cent of our tax money.
Rich 2:17PM (12/17/2008)
There's no question that racing drivers are athletic. The relevance of NASCAR? Now that's another question entirely.
Car racing is a useful tool for developing automotive technology for consumer vehicles. I don't believe any developments have made their way from NASCAR to the consumer, beyond upping the power of V8s. Right now, it's a team-oriented endurance race, with zero (or less) interest for the casual spectator.
First, I think they should send them round the other way. Just to see what happens.
Then make it relevant. Introduce some arbitrary rules to make it a valid testing ground for fuel efficiency (by using more realistic fuel tanks), tire longevity and effectiveness (by using commodity products), suspension technologies (by making the track less "perfect"), etc.
And for crying out loud, put some turns in.
Justin 3:04PM (12/17/2008)
Yes Paul,
My comment was stated because I don't like it. It's known as having an opinion, and the beauty of a blog is I can share it.
I didn't act like a baby, I just made a comment. If that's too much for you to handle, then you should probably just stop using the internet. Pot, meet kettle.
I think NASCAR should die. It's boring and wasteful. Other boring/wasteful things should die too. I'm not going to sit here and disparage the fan base because that isn't constructive.
Dennis 7:08AM (12/18/2008)
And then we can go after CitiGroup and the 400 million for Citi Field for the Mets...?????
JACK 8:35AM (12/18/2008)
NOT A GOOD IDEA ,THAT WOULD PUT ALL OF SPORT LOVING FANS REGARDLESS OF YOUR FAVORITE IN DANGER.MANY GOOD THINGS HAS COME FROM THE CARS,DRIVERS,THEY WILL CARRY ON REGARDLESS OF TAX PAYERS MONEY.AND THE DRIVERS DO NOT MAKE NEAR THE MONEY ONE BALL PLAYER DEMANDS TODAY IN OTHER SPORTS,PEACE.
big deal 8:36AM (12/18/2008)
hey all you have to do is change channels, you mean you did,t no that ?
sharon 8:40AM (12/18/2008)
NO NASCAR SHOULD NOT DIE YOU ALL ARE PUTTING DOWN SOMETHING AND NOT THINKING ABOUT THE OUR'S THAT WORK IN THAT BUSINESS LIKE THE VENDORS THE PIT CREWS THE RACE TRACK EMPLOYESS FOR GOD SAKE ITS A FEW HOURS FOR PEOPLE TO GO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND FORGET ABOUT THINGS ITS CALLED A SPORT DEAL WITH IT PEOPLE
kelly 9:21AM (12/18/2008)
Well, I don't enjoy basketball... I think it's pointless... So, Basketball should die. Isn't that your theory? If you don't like it and you think it's pointless it should just be ended?
How many people think football is a waste? baseball? hockey? soccer? the olympics even... That's why there are so many sports... Everyone has a different opinion.
And, no... Nascar is not just uneducated rednecks. Not to mention, so-called redneck sports (Nascar, UFC, WWE, btw, I hate all but Nascar!) tend to be some of the largest supporters of the military. That's a pretty big plus to all of them, for me and my AF husband and family.
Lisa 9:25AM (12/18/2008)
NASCAR is a huge money maker, look at all the NASCAR merchandise everywhere you go! People ARE going to races and they are buying the merchandise! It must keep some people in jobs!
jack 11:27AM (12/18/2008)
Justin,
Just say "NO". With hundreds of channels to watch, you aren't compelled to watch NASCAR. I am not a fan of water polo either, but I don't give opinions on something that others enjoy.
NASCAR should face a lot of facts in that it has gotten so politically correct that it has gotten away from its roots. Maybe this crises will put them back where they belong.
HARRY 11:34AM (12/18/2008)
I THINK NASCAR CAN SURVIVE BY THEM SELVES . THEY ALREADY MAKE THEIR OWN CARS AND MORE IMPORTANT THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN MOTOR AND CAR SHOPS AROUND THE COUNTRY . IF ANY ONE THING CAN SAVE THE """ BIG THREE """ IT JUST MIGHT BE NASCAR
Dan 12:18PM (12/18/2008)
Ignorant people like you are the reason this country is failing. You relish in others plight and waller around in your own self pity like a filthy pig while the country your ancestors helped to build is falling apart and all you can do is tug on a few of the already loosened bricks in the foundation with your fat little fingers while you sit in the dark in your sad little life. I am amazed at how short sighted people like you really are.
Jeanne 12:17PM (12/18/2008)
Amen...
FoxRacingMom 12:42PM (12/18/2008)
What a lame comment. Just because you don't watch it doesn't mean Nascar should end. There are millions and millions who watch the races on tv and attend the races at tracks all over the country. IF Nascar is dissolved, the trickle down effect with hit so many industries with layoffs, etc. it will just make a bad situation worse. Do yourself a favor and pull your head out of the sand and look at the big picture instead of the tiny, self-absorbed world you seem to live in.