The hard-working NASCAR press corps has been trying to focus on building the excitement of The Chase this season. Topics from Greg Biffle's resurgence to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s struggles have been all over the radio, TV and Internet. Now, the media's hard work may simply not matter.
The crisis on Wall Street may be hard to understand for those without portfolios or a stockbroker. It gets a little easier to grasp when your local bank goes under, local restaurants close and another friend loses his house to foreclosure.
Suddenly, priorities change. NASCAR and sports in general begin to fade into the background. Many families have simply switched to "survival" mode.
ESPN, SPEED and NASCAR go into the Kansas weekend on the heels of President Bush's televised news conference about the economy. Bush did not mince words on the impact of this crisis when it comes to regular working Americans. What Bush did not mention was that lots of those Americans are NASCAR fans.
There have been times during a crisis when NASCAR has served as a rallying point to restore confidence and faith in the country and the American way of life. Somehow, the current situation does not have the feel of something that can be fixed in this manner.
Across the country on this weekend there is the very real possibility that people are going to be concentrating on putting the financial pieces of their life back together. Many folks simply seem to be shell-shocked over just how fast this financial crisis has taken the country to its knees.
Both ESPN and SPEED are going to have to be very mindful of the new financial reality of many NASCAR fans as both networks roll-out the usual schedule of practice, qualifying and racing.
This weekend, perhaps more than ever before in NASCAR history, there are a lot of fans looking at deep changes in their lives that they cannot control and unfortunately cannot escape. None of those changes are pleasant.
ESPN2 is first-up at 12:30PM ET with Sprint Cup practice. Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree will call the action. This trio hands-off to SPEED at 2PM when John Roberts will host NASCAR Live. Hermie Sadler and Randy Pemberton will be the reporters handling the interviews for this thirty minute show.
The TV coverage goes back on the track at 2:30PM with SPEED covering the Nationwide Series practice session. Steve Byrnes, Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds will have the call with Wendy Venturini and Bob Dillner reporting from the garage area.
The "big show" is next at 4PM when ESPN2 rolls-out Sprint Cup qualifying. Punch, Jarrett and Petree will again call the action. ESPN has struggled with this coverage and will try to put the emphasis back on the cars on the track as opposed to interviews and features while cars continue to qualify in the background.
ESPN2 winds-up its Friday Kansas coverage with the Nationwide Series final practice at 6PM. The day ends with a 7PM edition of NASCAR Now from the ESPN studios.
SPEED also ends the day at 7PM with the one-hour Trackside show that will feature Clint Bowyer and Michael Waltrip as guests. Byrnes, Hammond, McReynolds and Elliott Sadler make-up the panel as this show continues to be a fan favorite.
With many Americans glued to the TV and radio for continuing news of the American financial crisis, both SPEED and ESPN certainly have their work cut-out for them. Commentary this weekend is going to have to be put in a much broader perspective in order to keep the TV viewers. Depending on what happens with the economy during the day on Friday, this weekend could be one to remember in more ways than just one.
This post will serve to host your comments about the Friday NASCAR TV coverage.
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79 comments:
Hyperbole.
This didn't just happen yesterday and it isn't going away tomorrow. So I say, "Let's go racing boys!"
Bill H
JD...wonder what effect this will have on the NASCAR business model (a/k/a fishing for deep pocketed sponsors, whose pockets have just been cut out through no fault of their own)? One can only tap the savings, credit cards and home equity credit lines just so much to pay for tickets, travel, meals and souvenirs. If interest rates go through the roof, then there goes your disposable income.
The people who lent money for those risky motrgages forgot about the three C's--character (history of paying loans), capacity and capital (to pay back loans). (Sorry to stray off topic.)
I'm thinking the analyst ESPN/ABC needs this weekend is Dr. Thomas Sowell (an economist/educator at Stanford who explains economic theory as simply and clearly as Tim Brewer explains what goes on withh the cars).
As if this isn't bad enough...gas shortages in North Carolina are giving the team members fits...because of short supply. I wonder if that would have happened had there been more supply of fuels (gas/diesel, E10, E85, bio-diesel) in the pipeline from other locations.
Just my .10 (.02 adjusted for inflation)
If you had to wait for a presidential address to tell you that the economy is in trouble, you are way out of touch.
There is nothing different from last weekend. Carry on.
I for one use racing as an escape from the troubles of our world today as we know it. There are many things we can't control, and many people to blame for them. But the joy of watching cars race (when they actually show them to us) is a nice way to get away from reality for me.
the economy is just as bad now as it was a month ago, a year ago, 2 years ago....the only different is the president made an address because he finally woke up and smelled the money loss.
Saying there is "nothing new" with this situation is a flawed comment.
Those who know what has been going on and pay attention to these things are aware of what's going on and probably are able to go on with everything, but there are a lot of uninformed people who see and hear these things from the media and the president and go into panic mode or start to actually think about things that they normally don't care to pay attention to.
This is definitely something for networks and fans alike to consider heading into the weekend and from here on out.
I'm all for people's own opinions, but there are people out there who have to think about not buying tickets to next season's races, worrying about what to do with the mortgage payment they can't make, and who need to pay closer attention to what is happening and what they should do.
To say things like 'Hyperbole' or that all people already know about this and don't care is incorrect.
ESPN, SPEED and NASCAR go into the Kansas weekend on the heels of President Bush's televised news conference about the economy. Bush did not mince words on the impact of this crisis when it comes to regular working Americans. What Bush did not mention was that lots of those Americans are NASCAR fans.
Should he have? That last sentence is one of the most bizarre things I have ever read. I don't understand even the most die-hard NASCAR fan to expect Bush to mention that a lot of Americans hurt by this economic crisis are NASCAR fans. This one really has me stumped.
Methinks JD made the President Bush comparison to illustrate that even though NASCAR is its own entity, it does not exist in a vacuum.
Speaking of vacuums:
Some suggest that the racing in NASCAR resembles a vacuum; and its subsequent television coverage as well--those issues should not be forgotten here.
Nature, as you doubtless remember, abhors a vacuum.
Personally, I haven't quite figured out how or if this will affect me or many of the neighbors around me. We're a bit strange. We don't buy houses we can't afford or sign documents that we can't read. The company I work for is strong and continues to grow.
But apparently I'm supposed to be wallowing in self pity. Or pity for those who got caught up in policies that triggered this mess, namely, lets give loans to people who can't really afford them so that they can have a slice of apple pie too.
Sorry, I don't plan on crying over it. I plan on watching racing.
In a broadcast studio somewhere this weekend:
"For you fans of the number 700 AIG car, NASCAR has penalized them one lap for pitting outside the box. Jamie, how is DNC Racing handling this?"
"Jerry, they are up on the wall, their spotters think NASCAR will call a caution for debris soon and the AIG #700 car will get the free pass."
"I see, Mike, how is GOP Nation handling this turn of events?"
"Jerry, GOP Nation is.."
"Sorry Mike, we have to go to break. We will return to the AIG Bailout 700 shortly."
[Key bumper music, Pink Floydd's Money] as we go to a promo for "Deal or No Deal"...
Bill H
While everyone is concerned about the economy and the bailout, I don't know a single person who will be glued to the TV this weekend to watch coverage about the economy. In addition, people watch sporting events to be entertained and to escape from the stresses of everyday life. As others have noted the economic issues are nothing new so there has been worry about all of this for many people for quite some time. I watched multiple baseball games this weekend and I didn't hear any discussion of the economy, I'm not sure why Nascar's TV partners should be making it part of their coverage, unless there's a specific way that the state of the economy directly relates to some of the news of the weekend such as with ticket sales or sponsorship issues.
Count me as one who is glued to or is paying close attention to what is happening this week/weekend related to our nation and the struggling economy.
They don't have to make it part of their coverage. They should just be aware of the weekend's situation.
These are things a network, program director, etc. have to think about and consider (probably more than the fans themselves). But, after all, this is a site that focuses on the ins and outs of the television networks and what goes on behind-the-scenes. Excellent topic for this forum, JD.
Anonymous said...
Personally, I haven't quite figured out how or if this will affect me or many of the neighbors around me. We're a bit strange. We don't buy houses we can't afford or sign documents that we can't read. The company I work for is strong and continues to grow.
But apparently I'm supposed to be wallowing in self pity. Or pity for those who got caught up in policies that triggered this mess, namely, lets give loans to people who can't really afford them so that they can have a slice of apple pie too.
Sorry, I don't plan on crying over it. I plan on watching racing.
September 26, 2008 5:45 AM
Wow,
You really don't have a clue or have not been using your company's 401K or any other savings program for your life after work. For me with a job and safe mortgage, I still have soo much to lose in my investments. While traveling this week....CNBC has been on in my room for most of the time.
This will end up hurting all or saving all. Bailout is such the wrong word for the plan.
This all said, I will watch this weekend, but if they can get the Baseball games played here in the NE I will be peeking there.
Really looking forward to the night F1 race!
Anon 3:50AM,
You are tying two things together that were never intended to be connected.
JD
JD,
Since you know what goes on behind-the-scenes in these cases, what are some things that the networks can do or what do they consider when trying to broadcast during a situation like this?
I'm sure most of the things are subtle and they may just be considerations more than anything they have to do or say, but it would be interesting to hear about those.
Thanks!
My husband and I will be happy to have the distraction of the race this weekend to take our minds off the economic crisis. Does this mean we don't care?--NO! It just means we need a little break from the constant gloom and doom now and then. We will go to our weekly race party, have fun and a few drinks with our friends (friends may be all we have left after all this!), then come home and resume our lives of working, paying bills, and hopefully saving a bit.
The economy will continue to be at the top of the news. I think the commentators and directors should make sure it is mentioned in context with NA$CAR but not overdone. NA$CAR TV coverage might increase with people staying home to save money and their desire to escape reality. I think the impact of the economy will really show up next year. The fans have already bought their tickets for this year and might use them but I think ticket sales for next year will be far lower and the stands will be emptier.
Economy sure isn't hurting in Singapore, what a course! Even this practice session is amazing under the lights. They have a continuous light system on a grid running the entire course. I can't wait for the race Sunday morning.
Should every sporting event remind us of this? I really don't want to watch NASCAR, the NFL, etc this weekend and hear talk about the economy and the "bailout". If I want to listen to talk about that, there are a ton of channels I can turn on and seemingly a billion different websites I can visit.
The 1st car one lap down doesn't get his lap back or the "Aaron's lucky dawg" when the caution comes out anymore, he now gets "The Bailout, sponsored by AIG".
Bill H
i'm a political junkie and a nascar fan. i want the american public to put some very serious thought toward this current fiscal moment and to work to understand the overall plans and consequences.
yet, as many before me have stated, i watch nascar -- and other sports -- as my escape from these realities for just a while. i look forward to my "nascar time" and i appreciate that it takes me away from the unrelentingly bad news of late.
i am more than capable of multi-tasking in my life: spending time and effort to stay informed on this crisis, working for and keeping an eye on the campaign in its larger life, staying engaged with my family and friends and allowing myself some "down time" in watching the trucks, n'wide, and cup races.
that being said: i'll likely miss the cup race b/c i'm accompanying our younger daughter to a national college fair in philly on sunday. life, after all, takes priority over racing and i suppose that's the point of your column today. but if i didn't have that responsibility on sunday, i'd absolutely be watching all the racing i could set my eyes on! i have no problem with stating that my racing committment is a means of escape from life's reality for while and i, personally, see nothing wrong with that.
I think seeing gas lines upsets a lot of folks. My son in Atlanta says that so many service stations are out now that is depressing to people and Nascar fans trying to get to the race. I'm sure the bailouts will hurt us financially but the US will bounce back. However, I'm thinking that maybe the teams will need to watch their spending like all of America is doing now - there aren't a lot of sponsors with big pockets to keep on giving to the teams and giving to the teams. There might be some who won't sponsor teams that will hit nascar most - especially in the truck series. Looking forward to a little distraction this weekend too from the seriousness of the situation.
I'm sad to see so many people so far who totally missed the point and tone of Mr. Daly's entry. Then again, it's not surprising considering how many people are not seeing the forest for the trees when it comes to this financial crisis.
At this early hour on Friday as I write this, what I hope to see is some acknowledgment of the situation, a small amount of discussion on how it might affect NASCAR (small because nobody knows how this will all pan out, even Secretary Paulson), and then complete focus on the actual racing (which has been hard enough for ESPN to do most of the time anyway).
Yes, some will want or need to focus on financial matters, and I would not be surprised to see that add an additional hit to the ratings for the races. On the other hand, others will want and need a good diversion from today's troubles, so any lengthy dwelling on the subject (especially once the green flag drops) will not be welcome.
Signed,
A Former Washington Mutual Customer. ;-)
I got it JD.
This crisis hits everyone & everything, NASCAR included.
It may not have happened yesterday(we are retirees depending on our pension from Ford) we have already lost a lot of $ during the stock market "correction" a few years back. We switched banks last month,bye bye WAMU, & after much soul searching we have cut our race attendance to ZERO none not even Daytona 09.
Do I want to hear about the newest crisis during the races?
Not really. I need a break. Even if its only a few hours.
Theres an article online about Jim France buying majority control of a bank! So the France family isn't hurting. I need a break!
espn can't cover NASCAR adequately
how could they cover this mess?
kohoso said...
"I'm sad to see so many people so far who totally missed the point and tone of Mr. Daly's entry. Then again, it's not surprising considering how many people are not seeing the forest for the trees when it comes to this financial crisis."
-------------
I didn't miss the point (and I don't think anyone else posting did either, they all made perfect sense to me), and I work in one of the world's financial centers that's on the news right now.
"At this early hour on Friday as I write this, what I hope to see is some acknowledgment of the situation, a small amount of discussion on how it might affect NASCAR (small because nobody knows how this will all pan out, even Secretary Paulson), and then complete focus on the actual racing (which has been hard enough for ESPN to do most of the time anyway)."
---
But why? Are the baseball games this evening (if they don't get rained out)going to be discussing the economy (or the presidental debate)? Or are the college football games tonight and tomorrow going to mention it? It goes without saying this will not be discussed by the NFL on Sunday. Come on, folks.
Why, then, should NASCAR specifically feel a need to discuss - especially when nothing has been finalized in terms of a bailout? Are the manufacturers, owners, and team managers really going to have an idea -today- of what this is going to do to their teams? Are they going to have that info this weekend? I think not.
Silly to ask NASCAR TV to do that if you ask me, and I hope they ignore the "pressure" coming from some here to do so.
we were struggling for gasoline for days in Ohio a couple weekends ago..many still do NOT have power restored though the majority do or just got power back in the last 3 days.
Gas stations either had no power for the pumps, and those that did were packed with 60 cars in their tiny lots of employees directing traffic in the smarter stations,and folks idling 90 minutes in others. Not a panic just a little thing like NEEDING TO COMMUTE to work or the store!
Charlotte had CRITICAL gasoline shortages which I expect to be brought up at least in passing on one of the SPEED shows. but who knows.
I might watch some of the racing but honestly, with my dwindling interest will be out tonight with sister and 88 year old mom who LOVES the Cajun/Gypsy music/Dixieland Jazz band. And maybe tomorrow.
Doubt I will tape the race but see the highlights and READ about it here.
But music is a great therapy as well. If home I would be listening on MRN.
I also hope to catch F! under the lights in Singapore on tape. :)
After taking two weeks off from watching ESPN's practice/qualifying junk I decided to give them another chance to see if something changed. What a mistake that was.
For those of you that DVR'ed practice with plans of watching it later, don't bother. Just press the delete button the second you get home if you were hoping for on-track practice coverage and not the following:
- multiple replays of last week's Dover finish
- videos of Junior's blown tire at Dover
- replays of the '03, '04, '06, and '07 Kansas Cup races
- a replay of a Denny Hamlin practice crash from 2005 (not a typo, they really did flashback to a simple one-car incident from a practice session in 2005)
- Google Earth videos
- multiple full-screen Tech Centers
- multiple "generic" driver videos
- long, sustained shots of drivers and cars sitting in the garage area doing nothing
- replays of the old David Ragan honorary sheriff and Casey Mears "My Heroes" videos
- and the cherry on top, bringing back the Jimmie Johnson "Who Knows Me Better, My Wife or My Crew Chief?" from LAST YEAR out of mothballs
And yes, as usual they left the air before the session was over.
What a joke. ESPN, if you're not going to cover the on-track session you're contracted to cover then stay the hell away from the track and let someone else cover it. There is no excuse or justification for this. Absolutely none.
I think its important to remember that what we are talking about is putting sports in perspective when other things in the world are taking priority.
"Framing" the commentary just means that the announcers and the Producer make choices that keep things balanced at a time when many folks are dealing with other issues.
They are not debating these issues or even raising them, just working very hard to keep the hype and the perspective that might have been correct a while back in balance.
JD
@stricklin - I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the practice "coverage" there was maybe 10 mins. of practice on the track or pertaining to it. the rest was junk.
I too, decided to see if they had listened, & again the answer is No!
Daly Planet Editor said...
They are not debating these issues or even raising them, just working very hard to keep the hype and the perspective that might have been correct a while back in balance.
JD
--
I hope they actually do keep it in perspective - I doubt they will. Especially during the actual race. If espn has shown anything to us this year its not caring about anything outside of their own little obliviot world.
I never turned on the tv today.
Strick, thanks for telling us what we missed. What a sham ESPN is. Ouch.
Jo was this a typo or a new word? :)
"obliviot world." Oblivious did you mean?
Or a combo of Olivious-idiots!! The latter fits, sadly.
I want SPEED ON FRIDAY's please NASCAR.
PeeSPN is NOT interested in delivering the goods.
@sophia - no typo ;) word has been widely used to describe oblivious idiots. Its a short form thing!
Here's a question to strick, sophia, etc.
What is the goal of the company you work for?
To make money!
How do TV networks (cable and local) make money?
Getting the most people to watch as possible to increase ratings which in turn creates more ad revenue which increases money earned by the company.
How long has ESPN been on TV?
over 25 years.
Who is the most watched sports network on TV?
ESPN
Which Sports network makes the most money?
ESPN
Apparently, they, not you, know what they are doing.
it's a business, first and foremost.
I just want to see Mikey and Clint on stage together on Trackside!
Mary
Anon 3:11 - So do I.
I am wondering if they were going to overlap drivers, like they sometimes do, or if they will keep them seperate.
I think that Mikey and Clint need to hug it out.
@Anon 306 if they knew what they were doing - people would be happier with the "coverage" -they have contracts but not our eyes & hearts.
Biggest ain't always best!
Anon at 3:06pm: What an oblivious statement! Because ESPN makes money means that they know what they are doing and what is best for the viewer? That's insane.
Just like the end of last year, when they were called out and had to make several changes to "try" and improve their product, the same thing will likely happen this year.
Practice includes cars on the track. Not videos and fluff pieces not related to it. Just because ESPN sees fit to do whatever they want, doesn't make them correct to do so.
Or were you happy with the practice coverage? You never even stated your opinion or that you even watched it.
Anon 3:06, you make some good points about why we go to work. Thanks for the reality check.
The purpose of TV is to put as many eyeballs and earlobes in front of the screen and speakers as possible, in hopes those earlobes and eyeballs will be touched by a selling message. Anything that distracts from that, and irritates those earlobes and eyeballs does nothing good for the sport...and more importantly the advertisers.
We certainly have our opinion on how the coverage ought to be structured.
The opinion that counts the most, however, is that of the advertiser. Reminds me of the Golden Rule: "They who have the gold make the rules".
Will Disney teach Shannon how to read her numbers and script??
Standing next to the Bass Pro Shops car, she says that Martin Truex Jr is "in the eight car" ...
Yeah, Shannon ... You keep on with that belief and maybe some day it will happen ... or not ...
I'm with the rest of the majority ... Disney needs to let News Corp re-bid on the contract for all of the practice & qualifying sessions ... If you're busy & trying to multi-task, it's a pain in the little red caboose to have to keep changing the channel from the Deuce to Speed to the Deuce to Speed ... Luckily, they're right next to each other on my cable system (surrounded by the Uno and Versus) ...
Speaking of the financial situation ... Congress needs to force the failed financial institutions to cancel ALL of the golden parachutes of execs that are bailing or getting the boot ... Put that money back into the banks ...
I've seen this whole thing coming for almost the past two years ... There are forces at work that are set to do real bad things to the USA and the financial markets are just one of them ...
Enjoyable Nationwide practice coverage on Speed. It was definitely nice to finally see some sustained on-track for the first time this weekend. It was also something for a veteran fan like me to see Bobby Hillin back in a racecar. I can think of another driver that drove for the Stavola Bros. in Cup the 90's that I would love to see get a chance in that car as well. If Randy MacDonald is listening, think 1996-1997 :)
Anon @ 3:06, that's certainly an "interesting" perspective that no ESPN employee can do anything wrong simply because their network has been on the air for over 25 years. Following the same logic, had you been around in 2007 you probably would have suggested that hiring Doug Banks and Erik Kuselias to co-host NASCAR Now was a great idea and ESPN knew better than the fans did in that instance as well, right? Following that logic you would probably also agree with the ridiculous notion that Rush Limbaugh should have never been fired for his racist comments on ESPN a few years ago... after all, ESPN never makes any mistakes right?
In those cases and many others I'm definitely glad ESPN didn't take your "burying your head in the sand because ESPN can do no wrong" approach and corrected their mistakes. Hopefully they will do the same in this case as well.
The more I think about it, the more I think the subject of this blog is misplaced.
I believe this sentiment should have been used back on 8/31, "Pepsi 500 coverage suddenly a second priority", when Gustav was making a mess of New Orleans,
or on
9/13, "Sylvania 300 coverage suddenly a second priority", when Ike wiped out Galvaston and southeast Texas.
I have no pity for people who live beyond their means and rack up debt like it is going out of style (as my Dad used to say).
If AIG and the rest go under, so be it, if Congress in it infinite wisdom (insert sarcasm here) decides that my Grandson should pay for peoples bad judgement, so be it.
Nascar.com has a policy, no politics in Chat, I believe it should be the same here. Icome here for Nascar broadcast information and to be able to giver my opinion on it. If I want to talk politics, there are millions of other places to do that.
Theres my 2 cents, now we only need to bailout AIG by 699,999,999,999.98 dollars. (count those decimal places so you see how much this REALLY is).
Bill H
Did JPM "borrow" one of Dixon's engines??
Stop with the Logano overload ...
He's been in what 2 Cup races?? I'm more than tired of him ...
Does Nascar / JGR / Disney / News Corp have any clue that they've created an Anti-Logano movement because they've promoted that kid to the hilt??
JPM needs to slow down when he talks ... It's easier to understand him that way ... Same with the guys from NC/GA that didn't take elocution lessons ...
On Wednesday, a major Chevy dealership closed its doors. Will auction off used cars and trucks and ship new inventory back to Chevy. On Thursday, a Pontiac dealership did the same.
JD, how can this not affect NASCAR eventually especially with Dodge pulling their trucks out of the NCTS? These owners and drivers who own dealerships must be hemorrhaging money.
Looks like the track has gotten faster ... all of the sudden ...
Karen - Where was the dealership?? I know some dealerships will get sold & then the new owners have trouble ... But, where I live, there are a bunch of established owners, opening new dealerships & buying others ...
I'm not exactly sure that this is what Karen is referring to, but I do know that Bill Heard Chevy here in the Atlanta area closed its doors. I'm also hearing that 12 other Chevy dealers associated with Bill Heard are closing soon, or have closed within the past week.
All remaining Bill Heard dealerships in 5 states are closed. Go to Fox news & in the auto section it has the story.
Anon - 5:16
"Bill Heard Chevrolet is based in Atlanta and has been operating for nearly 100 years. It was one of General Motors' largest automotive groups. Nationwide, some 3,500 employees are affected."
This one I was talking about is in the Orlando area and Courtesy Pontiac is, also. Courtesy's been around as long as I can remember. I didn't really know Bill Heard was as large as it is nationwide.
Couldn't even make their payroll for most employees.
Thanks. I was just reading about the Courtesy dealership after I hit publish for my last post.
Daggone it for MMcD. What a bummer.
I think I know how this is going to play out...
Instead of saying "There is the 99 car, Carl Edwards and there is the 00 car, Michael McDowell", Jerry Punch will instead say:
"There is the 99 car, Carl Edwards. Boy, I sure do remember when Freddie Mac was $99 a share. Now it's been reduced to 00. Speaking of 00, there is Michael McDowell, driving the projection stock price of Washington Mutual!"
Come to think of it, this economic crisis might be the catalyst Jerry Punch needed to spice up his announcing.
Montoya's time was disallowed and he starts sunday 43rd, anyone know why?
Bill H
JPM time was disallowed because his car had exceeded the max allowed gas pressure in the shocks. That bites for him.
Count me as someone who uses Nascar as an escape from reality. While I am generally financially stable because I have always tried not to over-extend I may also have to work until I die at my desk with what's happening to my 401K etc. I need Nascar to stay around and help keep me sane but I wonder how it will look in a few years with the significant economy decline. I hope Nascar/tracks/hotels, etc do something so people can still afford to come to the races. I attend Dover because I can make it a day trip, I would love to attend more but I can't afford tickets and a place to stay and some how I think I am not alone.
I've been oblivious about a gas shortage it must not be a problem in PA at this point.
JPM's time is being disallowed due to illegal gas pressure
newracefan - It appears that the gas shortage is basically only in the southeast / gulf area ...
There's no shortage in the Pacific Northwest and prices are dropping below $3.65 / gallon ...
Karen - Wow! on the car dealerships ... I think there's only been one "big" dealership in the Seattle area that's shut down recently ... and that was because of some shenanigans that employees of the new owners were doing ...
I think it is very important for NASCAR to address this issue of the economy especially as we are taliking about cars... that use GAS. This hits our sport on so many levels not just sponsors and fan attendance.
I don't necessaraly think the booth should talk about it during the race. I DO think that ESPN should be the ones that take the lead on programs like NN with its more professional style. Regardless of where, I do think NASCAR needs to get out infront of this. Especially in regard to the TV coverage as it will increasingly be the fans' only link to the sport. Or sponsors' exposure to the market place.
Speed is having serious audio problems. Team ? radios are able to be heard over the Trackside audio feed - plus reverb/ feedback. Sheesh
they just can't win!
Anyone having audio problems with Trackside, major bleeding from somewhere else, talk about annoying, everytime I think it's fixed it comes back
Jo I guess we posted at the same time, sorry it's them but glad it's not a problem I have to try and fix because it's me
In our family, we are not exactly mourning AIG's problems, but with one of my sisters working there, it's just bad news for her 401K. Luckily we have instilled in her to diversify and she's not as upset with the situation as she could have been or even some of her coworkers. Our Senator, Ted Poe, was on the radio this morning saying he's gotten a thousand calls against these bailouts - and can count on one hand, the folks that agree with it. It'll trickle down to Nascar, I think and folks won't attend races or support sponsors, etc. Just my 2 cents in.
@newracefan - I'm glad it wasn't just me!! I was worried the voices in my head had escaped! LOL
Thanks for all the great comments, it certainly showed the very different opinions on this issue.
JD
jo / newracefan - It's not just SPEED that is having problems today ... I have seen problems on other channels ... Possible solar flares / storm issues ...
The gas crisis is pretty bad here in Atlanta. I drove around for half an hour looking for gas, and when I did, had to pay for $4.35 for regular.
I've got race tickets for Charlotte in a few weeks, but I may not make the trip if they don't have gas either. It's just not worth it to deal with all that drama for a race.
Anon - 6:57
Pretty sure Bill Heard had major problems with the IRS last year, too, so coupled with every other thing going on, he was pretty much screwed.
Can't mess with the IRS.
Karen - This is what the Fox News article says ... about Bill Heard's company ...
"Late last month, the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs said in a court filing in Georgia's Fulton County that the company has participated in deceptive and misleading business practices. The company denied those allegations."
Alex - I think the fuel shortage in the SE is just temporary ... And once they get the refineries & depots back up & running, the fuel supply should be fine ... It seems like people are also stockpiling it because they were in a panic with Ike and Gustav ...
"Nothing new?"
My bank just failed Thursday.
That's new. And bad. However, racing is a welcome distraction.
ESPN
Apparently, they, not you, know what they are doing.
it's a business, first and foremost.
With the failure of banks as well as Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros., and others, you picked the wrong week to suggest that making lots of money means you know what you're doing!
@jo--yes that was odd! Weird having the radios/audio over the guys. It's hard enough most weeks to hear them with the crowd as it is, so you really had to listen carefully.
My room mate now has to pay his mortgage to somebody else. His company disappeared. This is hitting lots of people.
Even the Drudge Report had an article about Charlotte have a CRITICAL gasoline shortage. did any of the NASCAR partners bring this up? glad I miss the shows today.
I missed nothing.
Hasn't the dwindling attendance at races been indicative of the state of the economy? Nascar fans especially have been affected by our economic collapse. It's hard to justify $1000 for a weekend when you don't know what's coming next in the economy and your 401K.
Wow. Thanks for the downer. If I want this negative stuff I'll listen to the donkeys. I don't come here for politics, I come for racing and TV news.
Yep, our 401K is not good, but what the heck can I do now?
I must say, this prior comment was worth noting because I am in the same position:
Personally, I haven't quite figured out how or if this will affect me or many of the neighbors around me. We're a bit strange. We don't buy houses we can't afford or sign documents that we can't read......
But apparently I'm supposed to be wallowing in self pity. Or pity for those who got caught up in policies that triggered this mess, namely, lets give loans to people who can't really afford them so that they can have a slice of apple pie too.
Personally, I haven't quite figured out how or if this will affect me or many of the neighbors around me. We're a bit strange. We don't buy houses we can't afford or sign documents that we can't read......
If you think these are the only people affected by this situation, well, just wait. When it ctaches up to you, you're gonna wonder what happened to all your money, your job, etc.
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