In a sign of the times, it appears that Petty Enterprises will be merging with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The #43 Dodge driven by Bobby Labonte will join the 3 cars already in the GEM stable. Petty's other cars will cease to exist. This will be the first time that NASCAR won't have a Petty organization since the inaugural Cup season in 1949. Richard Petty's role in the new organization is also unclear, although the alcohol sponsorship of Kasey Kahne's Budweiser team could present a potential hurdle. The Pettys never supported alcohol sponsorship in their organization, refusing to run even the small NASCAR-sponsored decals mandated for every car in the field. Sad day.
American Icon bowing out
- Thread starter Buford T. Justice
- Start date
They tried several things and they couldn't get competitive. It was either this or cease to exist as an organization in the near future. I don't care what name is on your building.. you don't survive in a sport that has the overhead and expenses such as that and survive finishing 35th every week and below. With success as limited as that.. if your sponsor bolts.. then it's hard to get another that will be sufficient.
Its been happening for several years now. NASCAR's top division is nowhere near the sport it was several years ago. It began with restrictor plates and has continued slowly over the years. COT, declining attendance at the events, loss of the sport's icons due to retirement, and unfortunately, death. All of these have contributed to a drop-off in overall fan interest, including mine. It has always been my favorite professional sport (yes, it is a sport and for those who say its not, you are an ignorant dubmass and have no idea of what sport is), but I have lost quite a bit of interest in the last few years. However, my interest will return in masse next year as Mark Martin returns to a full time ride with Hendricks Motorsports!
Click hereit has. I think you can trace it even further back than the great points that you made. And I think you can look the enemy right square in the eyes....NASCAR itself.
For me, the decline began way back when Ricky Rudd decided to power slide into his pit on the concrete base of a pit road at Atlanta...and unfortunately rolled a Bill Elliot crew member in his rear wheel well.
How does that figure in? It was the beginning of the NASCAR strong hand. The very core of the sport's popularity in my opinion was that it was unfettered....just show up, pass inspection, and run. More races were won on pit road and racing back to the flag than any passes on a regular lap. That was always exciting. NASCAR slows down pit road to a school zone speed, locks down a yellow flag lap to the position at the drop of the yellow, and in general just over regulates and squeezes the excitement out of the sport.
They used to let them run. Whatta you mean? Half mile tracks, Bumping and running, frammin' and bammin', whatever was just damn fun to watch. The best at it? Earnhardt. The worst? Bodine or Rudd. Either way it was just the freedom and hands off competition that made the sport.
Factor in the influx of the same type drivers that Indy used to suffer with...you know, the ones who are fast, from somewhere out west, and have the personality of ....ohhh, accountants? So far we're calling the area code of "I don't care anymore."
The Car Of Tommorrow? Oh my God, please help me find some interest in a copy of every little wanna-be gangsta compact on the street....all the way down to the raised rear down-force wing. Just put exhaust trumpets on them all and make us all suffer even more. (Actually with the downfall/meltdown of the auto industry, the COT might actually become the model that hits the streets....as GM/Ford/Mopar melt into one. How very accidentally sad for NASCAR.)
Let's make every track look like the others!!! Great idea there NASCAR. Everybody just loves going to a race that looks just like the last one. Build a D shaped 1`1/2 mile track with low banks and the Frances will beat a trail to your track and put it on the schedule. Makes me want to get out of town and spend $1500 for a weekend of overpriced tickets, hotel rooms, and food. Besides, I can watch it on the tube until I want to do something else... and I don't have to drive back 8 hours to get back on Sunday night to get back for work.
You also nailed it when you noted that due to retirement and death, the sport lost a whole generation of history, heritage, skill and character. Back in the day, when you had the Allisons, Petty, Yarborough, Earnhardt, Bonnett, Waltrip, Pearson, et al.... you just couldn't beat the potential show on the track.
Again, NASCAR is it's own worst enemy. Just let em run. Don't squeeze the damn fun out of the competition.
(Sorry for the rant, I think I could write a dissertation on the rise and fall of American Auto Racing in the 20th Century!)
www.gfrracing.com/.../07gordoncot.jpgedited to show
For me, the decline began way back when Ricky Rudd decided to power slide into his pit on the concrete base of a pit road at Atlanta...and unfortunately rolled a Bill Elliot crew member in his rear wheel well.
How does that figure in? It was the beginning of the NASCAR strong hand. The very core of the sport's popularity in my opinion was that it was unfettered....just show up, pass inspection, and run. More races were won on pit road and racing back to the flag than any passes on a regular lap. That was always exciting. NASCAR slows down pit road to a school zone speed, locks down a yellow flag lap to the position at the drop of the yellow, and in general just over regulates and squeezes the excitement out of the sport.
They used to let them run. Whatta you mean? Half mile tracks, Bumping and running, frammin' and bammin', whatever was just damn fun to watch. The best at it? Earnhardt. The worst? Bodine or Rudd. Either way it was just the freedom and hands off competition that made the sport.
Factor in the influx of the same type drivers that Indy used to suffer with...you know, the ones who are fast, from somewhere out west, and have the personality of ....ohhh, accountants? So far we're calling the area code of "I don't care anymore."
The Car Of Tommorrow? Oh my God, please help me find some interest in a copy of every little wanna-be gangsta compact on the street....all the way down to the raised rear down-force wing. Just put exhaust trumpets on them all and make us all suffer even more. (Actually with the downfall/meltdown of the auto industry, the COT might actually become the model that hits the streets....as GM/Ford/Mopar melt into one. How very accidentally sad for NASCAR.)
Let's make every track look like the others!!! Great idea there NASCAR. Everybody just loves going to a race that looks just like the last one. Build a D shaped 1`1/2 mile track with low banks and the Frances will beat a trail to your track and put it on the schedule. Makes me want to get out of town and spend $1500 for a weekend of overpriced tickets, hotel rooms, and food. Besides, I can watch it on the tube until I want to do something else... and I don't have to drive back 8 hours to get back on Sunday night to get back for work.
You also nailed it when you noted that due to retirement and death, the sport lost a whole generation of history, heritage, skill and character. Back in the day, when you had the Allisons, Petty, Yarborough, Earnhardt, Bonnett, Waltrip, Pearson, et al.... you just couldn't beat the potential show on the track.
Again, NASCAR is it's own worst enemy. Just let em run. Don't squeeze the damn fun out of the competition.
(Sorry for the rant, I think I could write a dissertation on the rise and fall of American Auto Racing in the 20th Century!)
www.gfrracing.com/.../07gordoncot.jpgedited to show