Rubbin' is Racin'

Here at J&K we are big fans of racing. We follow all kinds of motorsports at all levels. Today we are going to talk about the state of Nascar.

While we absolutely love to follow the sport, we feel it has begun the downward spiral. Nascar has become more about pomp and circumstance than actual racing. Nascar is no longer your gritty, let it all hang out races anymore. This is a big money game where image is everything. There are only a few organizations that consistently win and it isn't coincidental that these are the high roller teams.

We watch Nascar almost every week and have come to the conclusion that it's merely a high speed parade lap until there are about 50 laps left. I believe if that's the way it is going to be then let's just have a 50 lap dash every week. This won't happen because of one thing: money. Less sponsorship exposure and less TV time. I realize Nascar needs sponsorship money now more than ever but they also need fans. Even the legendary Bristol shrine had trouble selling tickets this year.

Another reason Nascar is on the decline is the lack of true racers. Car owners and sponsors choose the most marketable people and not the most talented. Personally, I could care less what the guy looks like as long as he can drive it like he stole it. There are only a handful of true racers on the circuit while there is a laundry list of primadonnas. These guys are making so much money doing cartwheels on Allstate commercials that on Sunday they ride around and collect a check. The most popular driver in Nascar, Dale Jr, has yet to win a championship. While he is likeable, he is lacking that winner's edge. Many blamed it on his inferior equipment but now he is on a top notch team and still can't get it done.

My dad is involved in miniature motorsports. I know of guys just in this local area with a ton of talent that never even get a shot at the big show. Then you have guys like Casey Mears who with the combination of his family name, likeability, and marginal skills gets multiple opportunities. He couldn't cut it at Hendrick as a research and developmental driver and then gets a shot with Childress on a great team. I firmly believe this was a sponsor's call. Once again money talks.

Nascar needs a shot in the arm right now and the answer is good racing. You put a good product out on the track and believe me, people will come. Shorten the races a bit. Put more emphasis on leading laps and not riding around. One simple solution: for every lap led, get a point. Come on Nascar ...we are throwing the lack of competition caution on you!