I've gone from soccer to NASCAR. That is a very odd transition. I like them both...I admit that...to the disgust of most of my friends. I just happen to like auto-racing. I love the sound of the engines.
If (and you should go atleast once) to an auto-race...you must stand as close to the fence as possible as the cars go by. That feeling is memorable. Your hair stands up. The feeling is just indescribable. You get the sights, smells and you get to hear everything from up close. I think the hearing part is really cool.
I could literally hear the sound of engines in mind for a day or two after I went to the June Pocono Race in 2006.
Sponsors are a large part of the sport. It is catered to them in many ways, but no one minds it. The drivers always thank sponsors after races. They slowly chug their post race drinks (from sponsors usually) in front of the camera with the label out so people can see what they are drinking.
NASCAR fans are HIGHLY loyal to their teams sponsors when they actually buy products in stores.
One thing people don't realize is that after wins drivers take photos with hats from every major sponsor.
What I liked about today's race was that a 50 year old, Mark Martin, won his 4th race of the season and 39th of his career. He's doing that at 50. That should raise the spirits of old folks. They can still be productive late in life. Martin is a great person, a great driver and ambassador for the sport. He is a fan favorite who is fair, honest, humble and respected by everyone. I also really liked that he actively engaged the winners of a contest after the race. He went up and shook their hands and congratulated the winners...and he seemed happy to do it. He was enjoying himself. He wasn't doing it just to do it.
NASCAR is a great family sport because it's accessible for fans. It's fan friendly. Much more fan friendly than the other major sports. The best driver in the sports history, Richard Petty "The King" thinks its an honor that people ask for his autograph and happily signs.
NASCAR is also more diverse than what most people picture in their minds. Yes it's no where near as diverse as some other sports, but not every NASCAR fan is from Buttcrack, Kentucky. The average fan makes more than the average American. Most of them have all there teeth and aren't scary country folks. There are a lot more "closet" NASCAR fans than people might realize. I believe that about 1 in 4 Americans were considered NASCAR fans...(I don't know what the criteria was for this finding)
I know that a lot of people don't like the sport...or refuse to call it a sport...and I'd say that no NASCAR driver is a better pure athlete than any football, basketball or soccer player...but they do have athletic skills...good eye hand coordination, great concentration, the pit crews are often times former football players. Every sport is different and requires different skills.
Also I realize that it's hard to watch NASCAR if you don't have a favorite driver, because then it's like watching traffic going around in circles. So I will say if you watch...choose a favorite driver for some reason...I like Hendrick Motorsports...you can pick on of those guys.
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