April 10, 2011
By Matthew Pizzolato
Matthew Pizzolato
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It's no secret that NASCAR is in the middle of a slump. The recent downturn in the economy has affected the sport at just about every level. From the amount of money that sponsors have been able to spend on the teams to the fans being able to afford the expense of traveling to the tracks, nothing has been spared the economic crunch.
NASCAR reached its peak in the mid-to-late 90's. It may never reach those heights again and comparing today's sport to that era simply is not realistic. Ticket sales have dropped drastically and television ratings are down significantly. One can't help but feeling a twinge of sadness while watching a race on television and noticing empty seats in the stands. Perhaps the sport grew too big too fast and is now suffering a few growing pains.
Yet regardless of the problem, when viewed in light of today's economy, NASCAR is doing pretty well. NASCAR has grown to become the top racing series in America and has begun drawing international attention. Drivers from all over the world are interested in stock car racing.
It's one thing when an open wheel driver makes a foray into stock car racing, they have been doing it for years with various levels of success, but it's another thing entirely when Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen expresses an interest in racing in NASCAR.
When the news broke that Raikkonen had a deal to race in the Truck Series with Kyle Busch's racing team, many took it for an April Fools joke. However, depending on his schedule, Raikonen is planning on running anywhere from three to five races this season and is bringing his own sponsorship.
Jeff Gordon seemed encouraged by the news that Raikonen will be racing in the Truck Series.
"I think it says a lot about NASCAR that somebody like him is considering coming here. I admire him for wanting to take the step to go Truck racing and not just jump into a Cup car. Obviously the word is out there to the best drivers in the world (that) if you think you’re just going to come in here and jump in a Cup car and be competitive, you’re kidding yourself," Gordon was quoted as saying at a recent press conference. "And I think that’s pretty cool about our sport; and that we’re drawing this international group of talent. That’s awesome. I hope to one day see him in the Cup Series.”
Juan Pablo Montoya made the switch from open wheel to stock car racing a few years ago and in a recent press conference made several positive statements regarding NASCAR.
"The series is a lot higher than people think it is. I think people here are underrated at our level against worldwide," Montoya said. "I think maybe if you would get the numbers of how many people internationally are watching these races not only in America but in Europe and Asia, I think you would shock yourself. I think they are pretty amazing.
"People are watching. Over the last few years when I came over people started paying attention to how I ran and I think a lot of people got hooked on it. I still receive emails from people from Formula One, good luck in the race, great qualifying. It’s like oh, you’re paying attention. That is surprising.”
It is quite surprising that people around the world are watching NASCAR when considering the doom and gloom that has been surrounding the sport in recent years.
Perhaps NASCAR is not in the middle of a slump after all. Perhaps it is right where it needs to be.
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