[Bob Tanner]

NASCAR is really successful, right?
NASCAR has to become more diverse and internationally appealing, right?
NASCAR is now a permanent fixture of our sports culture, right?

I found the following article in my local hometown newspaper, written by a local writer. I don't know the guy, he probably moved there after I left, but I think he has a handle on the Indy 500.

You may enjoy reading it, in its entirety, then looking into the future and see if the same type of thing could happen to NASCAR.

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports...135215541.html

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

NASCAR is really successful, right?
NASCAR has to become more diverse and internationally appealing, right?
NASCAR is now a permanent fixture of our sports culture, right?

I found the following article in my local hometown newspaper, written by a local writer. I don't know the guy, he probably moved there after I left, but I think he has a handle on the Indy 500.

You may enjoy reading it, in its entirety, then looking into the future and see if the same type of thing could happen to NASCAR.

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports...135215541.html

Up & down cycles are inevitable. Not much will change that. The only thing that isn't constant about it is the length of the cycle. Most if not all media stories today are from the negative perspective. If anyone has read any of my posts you'll know I have zero love for the media at all. This piece falls right in line with my view ... about the media. The face of sports fans has changed today and will more than likely always be changing. There are far fewer diehard fans today than there were 30 years ago. Many of todays fans are "follow the leader" fans. Who ever is most popular at the moment gets the following and when they fall down we look for another hall of famer.

I'll respect that writers point of view but only as an opinion and not as something that is factual to all. In the true sense of the word aren't all the drivers in the Indy 500 foreigners ??? Or maybe there is a native American in the line-up.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Up & down cycles are inevitable. Not much will change that. The only thing that isn't constant about it is the length of the cycle. Most if not all media stories today are from the negative perspective. If anyone has read any of my posts you'll know I have zero love for the media at all. This piece falls right in line with my view ... about the media. The face of sports fans has changed today and will more than likely always be changing. There are far fewer diehard fans today than there were 30 years ago. Many of todays fans are "follow the leader" fans. Who ever is most popular at the moment gets the following and when they fall down we look for another hall of famer.

I'll respect that writers point of view but only as an opinion and not as something that is factual to all. In the true sense of the word aren't all the drivers in the Indy 500 foreigners ??? Or maybe there is a native American in the line-up.

Hmmm...??? I read Mike's piece to infer that if an organization with a large following instill changes solely for the good of the organization and not the good of the followers, it could easily be forsaken by said followers.

My own feelings on Indy (basically my hometown) is that Tony George had the right idea when he split with the Penske-controled CART and formed the IRL. He just didn't follow through with the opportunity. I, and many, would have liked to see him sent the over-technological weedwackers-on-steroids away with CART and have the IRL run solely stock-blocked Silver Crown cars. He wimped out at the last moment and set IRL up as an oval-running CART Series. Now, years later, nothing has changed. Penske, Ganassi and Rahal are all back, the IRL runs pretty much as CART did, only with more ovals (but those are diminishing, slowly), the engines are all Honda, and the majority of the field is comprised of drivers born outside the borders of the USA. (Don't confuse patriotism with homophobia)

It might surprise the young NASCAR fans who have no racing memories of the 60's and earlier but, at one time, the Indy 500 WAS "The greatest spectacle in Racing" and WAS the biggest, most anticipated sporting event in this country and WAS famous throughout the free world. Today most spend 500 Day getting their chores, BBQing, etc., etc, done so that they can sit down and watch the World 600. It's become a Series for a few Americans who refuse to give up on their open-wheel dreams, and a bevy of drivers who are F1 wannabes who just a little short on talent to get into the F1 show.

Previous Indy owners Carl Fisher, Wilbur Shaw and Tony Hulman must be hanging their collective heads in shame.

As for the concept of "Aren't all Indy drivers foreigners?" Thanks Steve...you've turned what I started out as a serious piece into a chuckle. I needed that. If it wasn't for the Indians and their horrible immigration policies, everything we've discussed would be moot.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

If it wasn't for the Indians and their horrible immigration policies, everything we've discussed would be moot.

I think you mean the "Native Americans", don't you???

Yes, I have fond memories of THE "500". Back in the day we anxiously awaited "Indy" marking the start of the summer with the promise of a great end of the summer (after Labor Day) and gearing up for the World Series.

Then some wiseguy decided we needed 2 races on the same day... and the 2nd was even l-o-n-g-e-r than the 1st! Die-hard fans became zombies trying to watch those little cars on their 20" TVs go round and round for more hours than it takes to drive from Dallas to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras...