[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

In case anyone missed this little tidbit of info, the following is a reprint swiped from Jayski:
"Homestead overnight TV ratings drop 10.4%: NBC's broadcast of Sunday's Ford 400 Nextel Cup season finale earned a 4.3 overnight rating from Nielsen Media Research and a 7 market share, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating represents a 10.4% drop from the 4.8/9 the race earned overnight in 2005 and a 23.2% drop from 2004, when the format of the Chase For The Nextel Cup was used for the first time.(SceneDaily.com)(11-21-2006)"

Yes sir, Brian. Your silly little playoff system really has all the sports fans on the edge of their seats, doesn't it? Maybe I have the philosphy all confused but I always thought that if something was successful, it became MORE popular, not LESS popular? The last time I sat down with a paper and pencil and tried to cypher a statistic, I had it that if a percentage DECREASED (dopwn 23.2% since 2004) it indicated non-success? Did I get that wrong?

Another example of some jacka$$ in a buisness suit tryin to milk somethin for more money and failin miserably. JACKA$$

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Thinking back on Brian's record of having a 23.2% drop in audience in two seasons, those figures don't bode well, do they? Remembering back when I had a real job, I let people go who came to me with sales figures better than the numbers Brian is tossing at us. Maybe its time for me to rethink hanging onto my ISC stock, eh? Our boy is proving that changes do not a better product make.

So at what point will someone within the organization look up the totem pole and say that it really is a wooden (headed) figure in charge ??

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

So at what point will someone within the organization look up the totem pole and say that it really is a wooden (headed) figure in charge ??

Actually, LSC, it reminds me more of the old fable entitled, "The Emperor Has No Clothes." Unfortunately Brian's antics are bring us stockholders a short term gain with no attention being paid to the longterm picture. Typical 21st Century business mentality.

There seem to be many, many NA$CAR toadies who are content to tell us what a find product NA$CAR has producted and how successful the Playoff System is. Then there are we fans and a handful of racing journalists who see the decline in ratings, the lack of legitimate racing, the apathy toward racing and the increased interest in sponsor money shown by the owners and drivers, and the general state of illness that stock car racing is falling into. It is this group, long-time fans and the small number of media types who say what we feel and cry for a return to normalcy.

When will we see this return? Probably no time soon, if at all. This new demographic that NA$CAR so zealously embraces doesn't want racing. It wants to see championships, personalities and gimicky racing in lengths of no more than three hours. The network TV deals that NA$CAR boasted so much about brought us the type of fan who is constantly looking for the next "in" sport. NASCAR's increased popularity will be like the dot.com financial boom of the last decade; a flash-in-the-pan. It's a bubble which we will see burst and NASCAR will go the way of professional wrestling; it'll remain on the fringe only.

[Quality88]

What I wouldn't give to see a driver get out of his car thank God, his momma and the fans for his victory. Much better than wavin a bottle of Coke/gatorade/powerade and smilin to get that money. I want too see a driver call out Na$car for their stupidity like Earnhardt Sr did after the 2000 Daytona 500.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Actually, LSC, it reminds me more of the old fable entitled, "The Emperor Has No Clothes." Unfortunately Brian's antics are bring us stockholders a short term gain with no attention being paid to the longterm picture. Typical 21st Century business mentality.

There seem to be many, many NA$CAR toadies who are content to tell us what a find product NA$CAR has producted and how successful the Playoff System is. Then there are we fans and a handful of racing journalists who see the decline in ratings, the lack of legitimate racing, the apathy toward racing and the increased interest in sponsor money shown by the owners and drivers, and the general state of illness that stock car racing is falling into. It is this group, long-time fans and the small number of media types who say what we feel and cry for a return to normalcy.

When will we see this return? Probably no time soon, if at all. This new demographic that NA$CAR so zealously embraces doesn't want racing. It wants to see championships, personalities and gimicky racing in lengths of no more than three hours. The network TV deals that NA$CAR boasted so much about brought us the type of fan who is constantly looking for the next "in" sport. NASCAR's increased popularity will be like the dot.com financial boom of the last decade; a flash-in-the-pan. It's a bubble which we will see burst and NASCAR will go the way of professional wrestling; it'll remain on the fringe only.

I guess deep down I know you are right but somewhere within me I keep hoping that there is something that the fans can do to make France see the error of his ways. I also know deep down that in todays world it is all about the dollar. I love the saying "He who dies with the most toys is the winner." It seems to so accurately describe many corporations today that serve the "me" & "now" generation. Television seems to have two very glaring problems and it applies to all the networks, some more than others. Far to many commercial breaks and as you like to say "village idiots" for announcers. I fully understand that no group of diverse fans will ever be content with the braodcasters and I understand that commercials pay the way. The village idiots is a situation that could be remedied to a large degree. The corporate side of greed is another problem. Shareholders want to make money, but I still feel that the sport of racing could get back to racing versus the media frenzy and still make gobs of money.

Have a nice vacation Bob. See ya when you get back.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Quality88

What I wouldn't give to see a driver get out of his car thank God, his momma and the fans for his victory. Much better than wavin a bottle of Coke/gatorade/powerade and smilin to get that money. I want too see a driver call out Na$car for their stupidity like Earnhardt Sr did after the 2000 Daytona 500.

Tony Stewart once called out Nascar's stupidity, but proved to be a bit hypocritical not a week later and it all seemed to go out the window.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I guess deep down I know you are right but somewhere within me I keep hoping that there is something that the fans can do to make France see the error of his ways. .

N-E-V-E-R happen. First, Brian would have to actually care about what the racing fans think and then listen. Every time I hear him interviewed or see his thoughts in print I become more convinced that neither is possible.
In order for Brian to take notice of the old line fans, we'd have to do something radical and I don't think that is in our nature. I'd guess that most of the old line fans here are very conservative in nature, not given to demonstration and public display. They are people who have a good basic foundation of values and believe deeply in tradition. This isn't the type of fan Brian wants because this type of person is also fiscally conservation and balks at spending $1000 for a weekend at a race and isn't impulsive enough to plunk down $295 for an "Official NASCAR Leather Jacket," with no thought whatsoever. Brian targets the demograpgic which believes an American Express card is a sign of success. He doesn't want those of us who believe the paid-off home mortgage has replaced the BMW as status symbol of choice.
We don't make NASCAR any money so we're useless.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I also know deep down that in todays world it is all about the dollar. I love the saying "He who dies with the most toys is the winner." It seems to so accurately describe many corporations today that serve the "me" & "now" generation.

Yep, the generation who believes deep down in their heart that "stuff" bring happiness. The best solace I can take from the "He who dies with the most toys wins," quote is the knowledge that he still dies.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Television seems to have two very glaring problems and it applies to all the networks, some more than others. Far to many commercial breaks and as you like to say "village idiots" for announcers. I fully understand that no group of diverse fans will ever be content with the braodcasters and I understand that commercials pay the way. The village idiots is a situation that could be remedied to a large degree. .

This all came about back in the 70's when the "Happy Talk" concept of news journalism came about. News went, overnight, from factual reporting to entertainment. Hint: Notice how much meaningless banter goes on between the two people giving your local news up there in Vermont. Also notice the ratio between hard news reported and "fluff pieces," the stuff about some kid who found a four leaf clover, a woman who loves cats, etc., etc. The human interest stuff, and not news.

Anyway, this "Happy Talk" concept carried over to all major sports. Harry Carie, John Madden, Bill Stern, and the tall Village Idiot with his innane "Boogity-boogity!" The days when we could watch and enjoy a sport on TV without the in-booth "entertainment" are gone forever, I fear.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The corporate side of greed is another problem. Shareholders want to make money, but I still feel that the sport of racing could get back to racing versus the media frenzy and still make gobs of money.

It couldn't and be the high-profile sport it is today. I can honestly say I liked NASCAR a lot more when it wasn't so popular.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Tony Stewart once called out Nascar's stupidity, but proved to be a bit hypocritical not a week later and it all seemed to go out the window.

He did rather stick Carl Edwatds into the wall, didn't he?

Tony can certainly talk the talk but I've seen several times that he in inconsistant in walking the walk. Not the sign of a good leader. I hope that he has a good person running his Eldora Speedway for him; Tony's style could lead to chaos very easily.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Tony Stewart once called out Nascar's stupidity, but proved to be a bit hypocritical not a week later and it all seemed to go out the window.

I remember that too. I believe he was called to "The Big Trailer" after his opinions were broadcast on TV. Funny how he was a new man the following week, talking out the other cheek.