2008 Sprint Cup Champion's Week Should Be Held In Mexico City

December 4, 2007

By Brian Watkins

Brian Watkins

Okay, not really. But for all the good it does to have the big night in the Big Apple, NASCAR might as well hold it in Mexico City or Moscow or Paris. Actually, holding the event in Mexico City makes the more sense than New York because they actually have a NASCAR event in Mexico.

I can’t continue with this column without first giving a nod to David Poole, veteran sports writer for the Charlotte Observer and co-host of the daily call-in show, "Morning Drive" on Sirius Satellite Radio. He’s made no bones about his feelings regarding the banquet being held in New York City, and listening to him this past week I have to say I agree.

During online forum discussions and on the radio call-in shows, many have commented as to why NASCAR chooses to return to NYC year after year. The only honest answer that seems to have been bought up is the “cool factor”. Yes, NYC has some coolness to it, and given that NASCAR is no longer strictly a “Southern Thang”, it makes sense that the powers that be would want to expand the exposure of the sport.

That’s all fine and dandy, by why expose it in a town that wants nothing to with NASCAR? For all the millions that NASCAR spends each year for its season end celebration, what does it get in return? A few mentions on broadcast morning shows and a bunch of ticked off NYC commuters who can’t drive down town because of the top 10 victory lap. New York put up so much local opposition to a track that even though the ISC owns the land for a track, they can’t even build there. So why bother? Good question.

Some folks have suggested, moving the banquet to Daytona, giving the fans better access and celebrating the season at the future home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Not a bad idea really, but doesn’t Daytona get enough money from NASCAR and the fans already? I’m not knocking Daytona at all. It’s most certainly an icon of NASCAR history and hosts one of the biggest sporting events of the year. But instead of concentrating NASCAR’s cash and fans and celebrations to one location, why not give back to the tracks and communities that made NASCAR what it is but have unfortunately been taken off the schedule.

Places like Rockingham. Why not celebrate what NASCAR is by acknowledging what it was?

Hold the celebration week at Rockingham. Have the “closed” banquet for the champions (Busch, Craftsman AND Cup) all at one time, celebrating the drivers and crews of the championship teams. While giving the teams and drivers a private celebration, you also have a “Fan Fair” like set-up which allows fans to meet drivers old and new, have legends races, have cars from all the current teams as well as displays of cars from seasons long past.

While I’m sure there are a handful of people in New York who appreciate that the NASCAR celebration is held there each year (aside from the hoteliers and other tourist based businesses) I would imagine the Rockingham area would be much more appreciative of a nod to NASCAR’s past and more fans would not only be able to afford to make the journey, they’d also get to experience a bit of history instead of the crowds and cold shoulder that New York provides.

Holding the event in NYC, especially after being told to “take your track and git” makes about as much sense as having the celebration in Kitsap County, Washington.

It’s like hanging out on the doorstep of an ex-girlfriend’s house with an armful of expensive presents. She’s made it abundantly clear that she doesn’t like you or respect you and doesn’t want anything to do with you. But she’ll gladly take your money.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.

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