Empty seats.

[JohnMickish]

Did you guys see all the empty seats? I also read that the TV ratings are down for all but two races this year. How can a sport have the fan base that NASCAR says they do with a declining TV percentage of people watching the sport?

Whats the problem? Does it cost to much? To scripted? Or is it just that the honeymoon is over and all the new fans arent as loyal as they thought they were?

[LMITOUT]

I'd guess the rain may have had something to do with it.

[Sifty]

Yep. I would say the weather played a big part in this one.

Sifty

[JohnMickish]

I can buy the rain for this one, but what about the empty seats at California that we talked about? What about the TV ratings?

[harvey lee]

Cost of gas and travel could affect some races and the rating can go up and down just like every other broadcasts on the tube.Highs and lows for the average.

[LMITOUT]

California is California. Not near the fan interest as out east and not to mention a notoriously boring race to watch. I think it was super hot there also, but that wouldn't stop people from going to a race in the south. Just those Cali's.

[lawdog]

I for one don't buy rain as the cause. If you go to a race, most people make a weekend of it and won't stay away just because the weather isn't perfect...

[heiman507]

Tv ratings were probably down because it was on TNT. 1. not everybody has cable & 2. i have my opinions of TNT and i'm sure many of you have your own opinions of them.

[TNFL]

GO FOOTBALL!!!

[harvey lee]

TNT stinks for coverage.

[JohnMickish]

Not just the TNT ratings are down, it's ALL BUT TWO races have had lower TV ratins than last year. I didn't buy the rain either because like lawdog said, the people that are there traveled many miles to see it and more than likely are going to go. Heck even the Daytona 500 didn't sell out this year.

Obviously there is a reason for this to be happening and I can't buy the highs and lows for an average because the fan base had been climbing for so many years there where no lows. Is the market saturated with NASCAR stuff and people tired of it? Are the races just to long?

I think they are to long and filled with to many comercials. I sort of wish that they would put a time cap on it like Formula 1. No scheduled distance, just race for "X" time and whoever is leading is the winner. That would put a whole new twist on the strategy one uses.

[harvey lee]

Foe the younger people they may be just tired of it.My son races alot and use to watch the cup races all the time.Now when I talk to him on Monday most of the time he didnt even watch the race.For him its more that there are so many other things to do he just doesnt watch much anymore.He has been to the races and loves races but doesnt really care if he misses them on Sunday.

Too busy with other things and he follows drag racing now more than he ever has.

I think maybe the change in the championship chase has maybe turn him away some.

[OUTDOORNUT]

I'd say Football, race times, hunting season, and the great fall season have a lot to do with ratings!