December 17, 2008
The New Face of NASCAR
By: Dennis Terry
No one really knows what lies ahead in their future. We all have our goals and our expectations concerning the paths we choose to travel, but those most always change in one way or another. Many times those changes are for the best and many times we are left stagnant in disappointment.
In NASCAR, the future is about as uncertain as a debris caution. Even in the best of times, the path you travel is only as solid as your last pit stop or where you finished the last race.
As I see it, the 2009 NASCAR season is eventually going to be recognized as the season that redefined the sport. We have already felt some of the effects of the COT, NASCAR “Super Teams” and the arrival of Toyota.
In 2009, I predict the following issues will change the face of NASCAR for years to come...
1 - There will be no Petty driving and no Petty Enterprises car in the field. Even if a Petty merger does materialize, Richard Petty’s role will be reduced to that of a iconic P.R. front guy. He is no longer an owner, leader or guiding force behind Petty racing.
2 - The future of GM, Chrysler and Dodge is in jeopardy. If all three are able to survive and stay in business their participation in NASCAR is almost guaranteed to change in a very big capacity. Monumental changes to the “Big Three” will most certainly open the door for more forign manufactures to capitalize on NASCAR’s appeal to automobile lovers.
3 - Economic pressures are forcing sponsors to cut spending and some are even leaving the sport all together. On that same note, sponsorship cost are making it prohibitive for many new sponsors to fill those vacancies. Fewer sponsors equals few teams. Plain and simple math on that one. Look for the 43 car field to be reduced as a result.
4 - Layoffs by just about every team in the business has flooded the NASCAR community with employed mechanics, fabricators, P.R. reps., tire changer, etc. No positions have been immune. Many of those unemployed have, or will be, finding jobs in other fields making NASCAR just another page in their photo album. I predict that teams will struggle finding experienced talent to fill future positions as they begin recovering.
5 - TV Broadcast are surely to suffer from a loss of advertising and reduction in media positions. I look for less TV cameras, fewer specialized announcers, reduced coverage of practice and qualifying and most definitely and reduction in the number of racing shows covering the sport during the week.
No Petty on the track, fewer American manufactures, more foreign manufactures, decreased sponsorship, a 43 car field reduced, less employees per team and scaled back TV coverage are all going to change NASCAR as we know it.
Of course, I’m no Nostradamus, so you’ll have to speculate for yourself, or just wait and see the old fashioned way.
DT
The news Wednesday from Chrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., was grim — the company will close all 30 of its manufacturing plants for a month beginning Friday because of sagging sales — but indications are the company’s involvement in NASCAR will not change.
An individual with knowledge of the situation said the closings will not alter Dodge’s involvement in NASCAR. Dodge has contracts with Gillett Evernham, Penske Racing and Petty Enterprises. All will be honored next season.
“Dodge will be back next year,” the official said.
Chrysler said in a release Wednesday that tighter credit markets are keeping potential buyers from the showrooms. With a slowing demand, the company said it must match production and save cash.
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=3776677&campaign=rss&source=RPMHeadlines