Posted on 07/04/2008 9:22:01 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A slumping economy is being blamed for keeping as many as 30 percent of NASCAR fans away from the Daytona International Speedway races this Fourth of July weekend.
"Normally this place is packed and we know everybody but now I only see like 20 people I know," a NASCAR race fan said.
The Daytona economy counts on the tourist dollars generated from the Fourth of July races.
However, this year's big race -- the Coke Zero 400 -- is not a sell out and 20 to 30 percent of fans who normally come are staying home over high gas prices and touch economic times, Local 6's J.R. Stone reported.
"It is no where near to the capacity it usually is," a NASCAR race fan said. "You are talking just for a weekend, about $1,000 just for fuel."
Local 6 showed parts of the Speedway campground empty early Friday. NASCAR officials said it is a sign of the tough times, Stone reported.
"I've been talking to people already and some of them come this year -- some friends who normally come -- they didn't come because of the money," a race fan said.
Fans camping at the track said they were also cutting back by cooking hamburgers and French fries instead of steaks and ribs.
People said it is costing them double this year to come to this year's race.
The Coke Zero 400 race begins at 8 p.m. on July 5.
Prices for tickets go up, attendance goes down … especial in an ify economy.
Maybe they saw the news and thought Obama meant he was going to the race today. Heck, he talks about the economy and it tanks, he talks about oil prices and they skyrocket, he mentions going to Nascar races and their attendance plummets.
Obama — Change you can count on, whether you want it or not.
And what ever you do Florida don’t let those nasty oil companies set up those unsightly oil rigs 50 miles off shore (over the horizon from the beaches mind you) so gas might be cheap enough for families to afford the drive south to visit Grandma and Grandpa at El Boca Vista Condominiums - Phase III.
That's 250 gallons of gas. Even if you are driving a huge truck that gets 10 mpg, that would be 2500 miles of driving.
Do 30% of the race fans come from over a thousand miles away?
I don’t believe this race has ever really been a sell-out. The Daytona 500 is almost certainly a sell-out but not the Pepsi 400.
But the larger problem is that NASCAR needs to look seriously at over exposure and the sameness of the vehicles. They have the same car with a different name on the front. Probably the only thing that differs is the engine but they are strictly limited in size. There is only so much you can do with a 358 cubic inch pushrod engine and they have long ago figured that out. The carburetors are metered out by NASCAR and with the restrictor plates they are naturally going to be bunched up which causes all of these accidents when one of the drivers makes a mistake.
My own personal opinion is that NASCAR is a victim of its own success and have over exposed the sport to weekly televised events. What is the point of going to the race and being uncomfortable and paying outrageous prices for tickets and waiting to get in the rest rooms when there is a wreck on the track? I’ve attended four or five races and have pretty much seen it all. It’s become boring. That’s the bottom line.
It isn’t the economy, it’s fuel prices.
Hello, Florida...you’re part of the problem. But, at least drilling off your shores isn’t having a negative effect on tourism.
ping
"I've been talking to people already and some of them come this year -- some friends who normally come -- they didn't come because of the money," a race fan said.
Typical local TV news story -- the only people quoted are the reporter and "a race fan."
I think I'd need some more authoritative sources before I drew my conclusions.
But, then, I'm not a local TV reporter.
I just don’t see Obama as a Chevy man.
Uh, the race is tomorrow night.
I have found other outlets for my speed fix: CORR (off-road), F1, and the dirt tracks.
Bubba finding only 20 friends on the south turn isn’t real scientific.
75% drop-off will be a lot more fun. up yers disney.
This isn’t new, NASCAR is just beginning to notice.
Tracks started advertising tickets for future races about two years ago. Last year, there were some empty seats in the less prime areas. This year there have been entire empty sections.
As a Yankee, I blame NASCAR for moving out of their heartland. They have moved out of great tracks like Darlington in favor of new, cookie cutter tracks in areas where there isn’t a real connection to the sport.
I would rather travel and watch a race in a classic track than watch a race at Joliet - uhm, Chicago.
They aren't driving Hondas. lol
Speed Channel cut away from LeMans to show Sprint Cup PRACTICE. That's just silly.
the reason is toyota
i can't help think gas prices prolly hurt too
I see Barry as being an Audi guy. Real men prefer Audi’s sister brand.
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