So at the bottom of my Jerm's Joint Yahoo! Groups page appeared
the following question: "If NASCAR fans weren't so uptight, would
the sport itself be better off?" I re-read this several times, sat
back in my chair and pondered exactly how to answer. Surly this
individual hasn't been a student of NASCAR long, for if they had, it
would be realized why we as fans may be uptight. Maybe a "fair
weather" fan who doesn't follow the sport on a regular basis and has
taken some notice to our discontent? Other than being aggravated
regarding some issues, I was unaware that we, as fans of NASCAR,
were "uptight".
I would have to believe that this person has never attended a
NASCAR event, and if they have, their experience must have been
unpleasant. Personally, I've been to several and have found that
there are no strangers at a race, just people we haven't yet met.
NASCAR fans are the most laid back, friendly, and generous
individuals that you will ever find compared to other professional
sporting events. Rivalries, though intense, still manage to stay
friendly. I love the "my cooler is your cooler" mentality that
entitles one and all to everyone's beer who is tailgating. If the
atmosphere became any more relaxed and festive, it would be nothing
short of civil anarchy.
However, this doesn't go without saying that there are issues
which have many of us disgruntled and aggravated. We're tired of the
phantom cautions for debris that happen to pop up late in a race, or
when a certain driver has a three second lead on the rest of the
field. Certainly in some respects the diversity program which NASCAR
is force feeding us has some raising an eyebrow wondering if other
talented drivers are missing "the big dance". Though popular with
many, road courses don't hold the majority of fans' hearts during the
season, so why is it when NASCAR ventures across the borders, it has
to be a road race? These races are typically boring and uneventful.
Why can't driver interviews be more than a commercial for their
sponsors? Sure, it is true I've stated that sponsorship makes the
NASCAR world go around, but tell us how the car REALLY ran, or what
the driver is TRULY thinking. Bring back the passion that was one of
the many building blocks of the sport. Cut the kickbacks, and let's
talk racing! Wouldn't it be nice to allow racers to do just that,
race? Can anyone remember when a driver actually had to EARN his way
into the elite? Nowadays, you can buy your way into the field if you
drag your teeth in just the right manner. Maybe we're fed up with
the sterility and political correctness NASCAR has enforced which in
turn has disinterested veteran fans. There's also a slim possibility
that the constant increase in prices with no accessibility in return
to the sport's fans might contribute to the puckering anal
sphincter. I would tend to believe that even the fan of a driver who
is on a multi-car team at times becomes exaspirated at seeing those
drivers continously dominate the circuit. What would happen if say,
Tony Raines, Stanton Barrett, or Hermie Sadler won a race? Check the
bible, it might be the second coming!
So indeed, there might be issues we take to heart regarding our
beloved NASCAR. However, we continue to patronize a sport which we
all share common interest. We will keep tailgating, laughing,
meeting new friends, and drinking their beer until they place
padlocks on the gates at the tracks. Without a doubt we are entitled
to express concern over issues we feel could be detrimental to NASCAR
in the long run, especially to its fan base. However, all we can do
is continue to support its roots and hope that our voices are
eventually heard.