NASCAR - Bad economy wins out over great weather at AMS

[6 Shooter]

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) - Big patches of empty seats under the Atlanta Motor Speedway press box on Sunday prompted Jeff Gordon to say he was "a little baffled."

"I know there's a lot of race fans around here," Gordon said. "I've been hearing that they were going to have some empty seats. It's hard to say. It's really hard to say. ... This place should be packed."

Observers estimated the stands were no more than two-thirds filled for the NASCAR event, and total capacity is about 125,000. The listed attendance was 94,400.

There were hopes attendance would be boosted by great weather, but one week after a snowstorm, not even temperatures in the high 70s could fill the seats.

It was more proof of the economic downturn's impact on sports.

"We are far from immune from what's going on in our economy," said Carl Edwards, who finished third.

"It's too bad there aren't more fans in the grandstands, but I feel like my responsibility ... is to go out there and race as hard as we can, deliver for our marketing partners and deliver for our fans, and do the best we can and hope the economy comes back up and those stands get more full. But there's nothing we can do about it. I'm just glad for the fans that are here."

The least expensive ticket for the race was $39.

Atlanta Motor Speedway has two races on the NASCAR schedule, including a fall race that has moved to Labor Day weekend.
"Atlanta has had a tough time," said Dale Earnhardt Jr. "You'd think that this place would do really well. I love it. I love coming here. ... I would hate to see them lose a race, which I ain't saying they will. ... It is a great race track with a lot of history."

FOX Sports Article

Is it the bad economy or are we/the NASCAR fans upset/frustrated with the direction NASCAR is going? ​

 

[vett boy]

I think a lot of folks have become discontent with NASCAR over the last few years.In a down economy they may just pass up a day at the track for womens mud wrestling on ESPN

 

[Tuna]

I watched the race at home and noticed the empty seats. I didn't watch all the pre-race BS and I switched channels right after the checkered flag. I didn't pay as much attention to the race as I used to years ago. Then again I'm fighting a cold and didn't feel like getting out and changing the oil on my cars, so I watched racing.

NASCAR has more than saturated the market with its brand of entertainment with too many races, too many hours of pre-race BS on TV, too many hours of post race BS on TV and too many hours of NASCAR BS on TV each week. "Digger" drives me nuts. The COT sucks.

I can't blame the people for staying away what with the time and cost of attending races plus the economy now. Good excuse to stay away and save some money. Might need that money next week to pay the rent.

I think the empty seats are caused by a lot of both - frustrated with the way NASCAR is going and frustrated with the economy. When times are good, a race fan will put up with the BS just to see a race even if they don't really care for the way the race is run and the cars being raced. Now with times bad for a lot of people, saving money is more important that being at the race.

 

[ScottNoxid]

I think a lot of folks have become discontent with NASCAR over the last few years.In a down economy they may just pass up a day at the track for women's mud wrestling on ESPN

Mr

Vett​

Boy, we need times and places of the

women's​

mud wrestling!

ESPN​

1, 2 etc???? Sc:Wtt

 

[Bill McMorrow]

I have ben a fan for my whole life. The new califonia start times are killing me i have not watched a complete race yet this year. I usually go to Daytona but not this year the cars stink the comentators stink and Brian France stinks.

 

[Dad2BJO]

I watched the race at home and noticed the empty seats. I didn't watch all the pre-race BS and I switched channels right after the checkered flag. I didn't pay as much attention to the race as I used to years ago. Then again I'm fighting a cold and didn't feel like getting out and changing the oil on my cars, so I watched racing.

NASCAR has more than saturated the market with its brand of entertainment with too many races, too many hours of pre-race BS on TV, too many hours of post race BS on TV and too many hours of NASCAR BS on TV each week. "Digger" drives me nuts. The COT sucks.

I can't blame the people for staying away what with the time and cost of attending races plus the economy now. Good excuse to stay away and save some money. Might need that money next week to pay the rent.

I think the empty seats are caused by a lot of both - frustrated with the way NASCAR is going and frustrated with the economy. When times are good, a race fan will put up with the BS just to see a race even if they don't really care for the way the race is run and the cars being raced. Now with times bad for a lot of people, saving money is more important that being at the race.

I have to agree. Economy is part of the problem but the product NASCAR puts out is the other problem. Bad economy and a bad product dont equal revenues for NASCAR.

I went to the first COT race in Bristol 2 years ago and I never thought there could be a boring Bristol race. The COT proved me wrong.

The economy is part of the reason but I bet the NCAA tourny games will be packed. The final 4 will be packed as well. I have been trying to take my kids to a Blackhawks game this year and they are standing room only. People will pay for a good product. I bet come next fall every big time NCAA football game will be packed and the NFL will still sell tickets.

As far as TV goes you are right. Too much "blah blah blah".

I promised to take my 10 year old Daughter to a "big time" race this year since I took her younger Brother to the Brickyard 2 years ago. (I am Soooo glad I did not go last year). I am actualy thinking about the 500 instead of the Brickyard. I dont have any ambition to watch taxi cabs drive around a flat 2.5 mile track. It was marginal what they had the "old car" and it is terrible with the "new" car. The indy races have been more exciting for a few years now.

 

[68Roadster]

I know ticket prices are up for Texas. The fall race last year cost me 102.00 and I paid 120. for the race next month. I used to spend the whole weekend out there, watching truck, Nationwide and Cup but just can't justify the expense anymore. I will say its alot more comfy watching from the couch or garage, eating and drinking what I want. And if ya have friends over its just like being at the track without the cramped seating and some fool dumping his cooler while you are walking under the grandstands.
Suprised me to see Bristol tix being advertised yesterday.

I wonder how much attendance will be down over the whole year. Probably more than NASCAR would like to see.

 

[Dad2BJO]

There was an interview a couple years ago with some big wig from Texas Motor Speedway and at that time, attendence was down for the fall race. I cant remeber who did the interview but they asked him about attendance and if that botherd him. This was with the chase and even with the "old car" (I think) but anyways, he indicated that the speedway would do just fine by advertisment on tarps placed over the seats. He acted very smug as if his attitude was "go ahead stay at home we will just make up the revenue with advertising at the track in place of race fans in the seats".

At that point I knew NASCAR was going down hill. Here was a guy that just did not get it. His attitude was they would get money anyways but guess what? People need to be watching at home in order for companies to spend money on advertising.

The other thing that bugged me about these tracks was California a few years ago offering discounted tickets to hispanics so as to encourage them to come to the race on Labor Day weekend. Hmmmmm I am a white guy and I have to pay full price for the same seat but Juan can go at a discount because he is not a "core" nascar fan. Fine I will stay home and find somwhere else to spend my money. I also heard that that promotion offended a few hispanics and it should.

Like I said on another post. Watching identical cars with different headlight decals make left turns all day is not that exciting anymore.

 

[jrose7004]

I'm on the Texas e-mail list and they've been sendind out some really good deals on some package ticket prices! I'm going but I got some comp tickets from a cup team sponsor.