Posted on 03/04/2015 6:16:54 PM PST by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK, March 4 (Reuters) - NASCAR calls it "right-sizing" but others see it as sign that something is terribly wrong with America's most popular motor sport as thousands of seats are being removed from tracks across the United States.
The sprawling Charlotte Motor Speedway, which once drew a crowd of 167,000, is removing 41,000 seats while tracks in Dover and Atlanta will chop capacity by at least 17,000.
"Right-sizing is the term," NASCAR's Chief Operating Officer Brent Dewar told Reuters after addressing the Sport Business Summit in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday. "It is what you are seeing in all sports properties is the transformation of making the fan experience greater."
With TV ratings on a steady decline the sight of empty seats has served as a glaring reminder of the problems facing NASCAR as the series tries to recapture the glory days of the 1990s.
But Dewar maintains that downsizing is not so much a sign of trouble but a sign of the times reflecting the race experience fans demand and the way they consume sports.
"What you are seeing at a lot of the tracks is widening of the seats, additional suite access, venues that allow a better fan experience," said Dewar. "It is not just going to the race; it is more than the race.
"That is the story you are seeing at many of the tracks, football stadiums and baseball parks. The fan expectation today going to a sports venue is changing."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Buh-bye...
PC infestation can(in the short term)bring in big $$$ to a few, but eventually it's moral corruption(AKA, it's core)leads whatever it touches into ruins.
One need only look at media/"entertainment" or academia as proof.
LOL!
That's also dollar-driven. Personalities must be kept in check, to keep it "family-friendly". That's why Vegas is in decline, why racing is in decline, why football's growth is slowing, etc etc etc. Mommies are wanting happy happy funtime with no real testosterone, adrenaline, competitive drive, or violence for their kiddies.
Sooooul Glo!
LOL!
American Idol contestants just gave the Drivers... command. LOL! Stand by for rioting.
I LOL yesterday when Larry Mac said “I love looking at full stands!” At best they 50% full with people scattered through out. At least now I am doing other stuff during a race. Next year habit should be kicked.
I will check it out. Thanks!
I wish they would just ignore it rather than lie about it. Don’t give up on NASCAR
DROP the prices
FILL the seats
LOOK better on TV broadcast
DOUBLE the amount of consessions sold
INCREASE the interest of others to attend
REMEMBER the roots of NASCAR
I lived in So Calif for 29 years. I followed drag racing quite closely. One year, I think in the early 70’s, they decided to hold a WEDNESDAY night event—a tune up for the coming start of the season.
In those days, entry with a pit pass was about $5. They charged $2.50 for this night. NO prior advertising—only word of mouth. By 6 PM. Calif Hwy Patrol was threatening to close the off ramp to LIONS DRAG STRIP in Long Beach because traffic was backed up over 2 miles. One of the best drag race events I have ever been able to attend.
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