NASCAR's Elite Feeling Economic Pinch

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- I went to the race track Thursday and an economic forum broke out. NASCAR Chairman Brian France addressed reporters during the annual season-opening Media Day at Daytona International Speedway and reiterated his concern that his sport be "sensitive'' to the tough economic times.

Drivers were talking about testing restrictions, marketing cutbacks, team layoffs and the future of Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota – before getting to the usual nuts and bolts of championship favorites and drafting Daytona -- site of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.

Greg Biffle considered the plausibility of racing hybrid cars one day (good idea, but no time soon).

And four-time Cup champ Jeff Gordon shared that he'd been flying commercial when practical instead of using his private jet – joking he may need to borrow his dad's frequent flyer miles for the upgrades.

Gordon paid $69 for a one-way ticket from New York City to Charlotte last month, the day before the same U.S. Air flight ended in the Hudson River.

"I was like, I'm flying commercial more often," Gordon said. "They just landed in the Hudson and everyone walked off. That's impressive."

Unlike Gordon, France didn't offer up a lot of specifics. He's NASCAR's big picture guy trying to manage the family business that is literally fueled by the country's biggest economic worries – automobile manufacturers, corporate support and consumer (fan) spending.

"Our business models are changing, that's what's happening," said France, who took the helm of the sanctioning body from his father Bill France Jr. in 2003.

"We will try to earn everybody's business. ... but we'll have to adjust to what the economy gives us."

That's meant slashing the price of some Daytona 500 tickets in half and offering cheap hot dogs and free parking. Still, NASCAR's version of the Super Bowl isn't a sellout yet and races that come later on the schedule in places like Las Vegas and Los Angeles may be harder sells. NASCAR is a tough draw in those venues anyway, so this year's races will be important tests. And the drivers know it too.

When's the last time a sport's biggest stars voluntarily offered to take a pay cut or forgo a luxury Lear jet in the name of doing "the right thing."

Americans won't have the same kind disposable income to spend on sports fixes. Groceries or a Laker game? Doctor bills or Spring Training? Think Kobe Bryant or Alex Rodriquez feel the pain? These NASCAR guys get it and that's what has always separated them from other pro athletes. Yes, they own private jets, huge homes and big boats – but most of them came from the same kind of modest roots as their fans.

They know that NASCAR's gold rush is still fresh and tenuous -- even 10 years ago it was a different, more humble existence around here. No need for a national media day.

"We've all gotten pretty spoiled over the last several years and with good reason," Gordon said. "The whole sport has grown and you know I've been successful and my salary has been incredible – something I never dreamed it would be.

"But you know, that doesn't mean I couldn't live with less. I could. I'll do whatever it takes. It's tough when you get adjusted to a certain income and lifestyle it isn't an easy thing to do, but it doesn't mean it can't be done."

"Everyone's trying.''

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-05-2009 @ 10:18PM

newcome family said...

they forgot who made NASCAR who they are today.i think they are starting to remember

2-06-2009 @ 12:41AM

jjones said...

Jeff Gordon has it right. Too many have taken the good times for granted and overlooked the american stock car uniqueness. Foreign cars are a great disservice to the spirit of NASCAR.

2-06-2009 @ 12:17AM

darrellnbetty said...

I am a NASCAR nut but...
I have tickets to the Bud shootout, the truck race on the 13th. and the Saturday the 14th. race also. But even though I want to go to the Daytona 500 they dont have specials even though I have all these other tickets and all the other extras that I bought with each ticket. But I will not pay $99 for a Daytona 500 ticket. Come on Brian give a better deal for those that have already spent a good dollar for all the other tickets and extras.
Yes it is very hard these days but come down on the prices.

2-06-2009 @ 5:07AM

whtwasithinkn said...

So glad Jeff is real...we all love races, but not over feeding our family. For him to admit he can live on less is a nice change. I used to think he was a bit of a snob, no longer! He has remembered without the fans, he is un-employed like the rest of us.

2-06-2009 @ 9:37AM

Chrissy said...

I think now that he has a family of his own he has realized a lot of things.

2-06-2009 @ 8:26AM

Gregg Wells said...

I had season tickets to the 500 for years. Two years ago they sent me a letter telling me that if I wanted my seats, I'd need to purchase the weekend package. I didn't renew. Bet they wish they didn't pull that crap now. Brian France has no idea who his customer is. The sport was built on loyal fans. The same loyal fans he's pushed aside for the unloyal corporate america. I say let it fall and we (the fans) can rebuild it from the local tracks where it started.

2-06-2009 @ 2:54PM

david said...

Hi Gregg, I just wanted you to know that I totally agree with you. Wish more people would send that message to NASCAR.

2-06-2009 @ 9:23AM

ejhilf said...

I've been saying it for two years, NASCAR should have cut the laps down by 25% just as a good will to save fuel, show the American people they are in it too. Instead they pulled the same old crap. The France family must have dropped out of school in eighth grade to think the way they do.

2-06-2009 @ 10:05AM

kbplumber said...

Nascar- back in the good old days
Daytona 500 1985 Barney Oldfield Grandstand
$30.00
Firecracker 400 $20.00
Economic Pinch! Its Here

2-06-2009 @ 10:26AM

basman1234 said...

I went to the 500 last year with 3 other guys. Backstretch seats - $200 each, parking $40, food during the race another $40-$50 and not great food, hotel $225 per room if you can get one. After the race, we waited 4 hours for a bus to take us to the back side of the track (the other side of the airport) to the parling lot. We could have walked (distance-wise) but the police/security said we could not walk. I have to admit, the race itself was exciting but the hassle and cost of going was not worth it. I'll watch it on TV for free and save on the gas (4hour drive to GET to Daytona), hotel, food, parking and the ticket. Wake up NASCAR.

2-06-2009 @ 10:38AM

mockwh said...

Narcar has become predictable, in the begining they said know one would watch TV and watch race car drivers turn left all day. Today you can predict the winner within 10 cars. Thirty three cars are just fillers. They better go back to the roots and race off the show room cars and use national products. No one can afford to buy a nascar, but we do buy fords dodges and chevies. Win on Sunday sell on Monday

2-06-2009 @ 11:34AM

PIMP DADDY said...

I miss going to the track but I won't miss paying 115 just for a good seat and all that motel expense, etc etc. when there's always a chance it might rain. No gurantee's with Nascar. I can rely on my LCD tho. and if it rains out, I can either watch something else or do something. Nascar is a hard sell these days. I had been going since 1991. Too much has changed and it's not nearly as fun to watch boys instead of Men do battle. Nascar had to go and ruin that side of it too. Brian France has no one to blame for loss of ticket sales but himself.

2-06-2009 @ 1:28PM

DAPRIL17 said...

everybody needs come together drope gate prices and drivers need to take a pay cut also

2-06-2009 @ 1:31PM

grinchgrinchme said...

I agree with all of your comments, but lets give them a chance we are doing it with the heads of the U.S.A. arent we?

2-06-2009 @ 1:44PM

castcutters said...

Maybe people are tired of watching 250 left turns.

2-06-2009 @ 1:52PM

Yankeeeesfan said...

It is not the driver's fault...Jr, Jeff, Jimmy, Carl, Stewart, etc have said NASCAR is going in the wrong direction. They were the hottest thing going & their seats were packed so they thought they could do whatever they wanted.

Hopefully, now, they take into consideration what some of their drivers have been saying & make things more reasonable & accessible for the fans & stop with the prima donna attitude.

Brian France, Mr Hair Helmet & the rest need to realize we are in an era of economic problems & not everyone can afford to drop big bucks for 3 hours of going around in a circle.

2-06-2009 @ 2:27PM

car17fann said...

I think nascar,is getting old, boring watching it threw. people can watch it on LCD. AND SEE IT, BUT FOOTBALL IS BETTER!

2-06-2009 @ 3:28PM

rebasfl said...

NASCArrrr.... ha, ha. It is a joke

2-06-2009 @ 4:32PM

ldf4evr said...

I agree with Gregg Wells. Let the greedy Brian France and the greedy corporate Nasscar he and his family have created. The real nasscar fans will rebuild it the way it was intended for the average joe. Larry

2-06-2009 @ 6:15PM

foferrets said...

I say we all should boycott all major sports. No ONE is wort millions of dollers a year. If the FANS stop paying the price and quit going to the events they will have to drop the prices.

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