Pipe Smoke – Does the Fan of Today Mix With the Car of Tomorrow?

With the economy as it is, I can understand how track attendence is down, but television ratings?

Could it be that the COT and FOT (new term: FAN OF TODAY) do not mix?

Could it be that NASCAR in its zeal to find new markets and conquer new galaxies has forgetten who got them to where they are?

Any of you who have ever read my writings, either here or elsewhere on the web, know a few things about me. My politics are conservative, my religion is Christian and my drink of choice is Polar Diet Orange Dry. I am also a dyed in the wool racing fan.

Notice something missing? Even though I grew up watching what is now, Cup racing on television, my interests in the sport run from stock sedans on the Limerock Park road course to the DIRT mods and Lebanon Valley. I have had my ears blown off by the supermods at Oswego and watched 33 midgets tackle tight 1/4 of the long gone Westboro Speedway. I like close competitive fun racing whether it be from the banks of Atlanta or the dirt of nearby Whip City Speedway.

Some of my favorite characters in the sport are folks who would not even glance southward, never mind bend knee towards Daytona Beach. Yet for some reason, if I am near a television, (rarely) or have a radio handy, my ears start to tingle when I hear the themes for MRN or PRN. In other words I am a FOTP, (another new term: Fan of the Past). I still wash with Tide, (D.Waltrip) swig an occasional Gatorade, (D Waltrip) and my cell phone does not say (0) on it, My wife still smokes, (not Winstons ) and when able , I still like to blow a cloud of aromatic smoke from my trusty corn cob.

The FOT (Fan of Today) is a totally different animal. While he or she may be involved, but are they commited? ( Ask Junior Johnson the difference on that one.) To the FOT NASCAR may have been the “In” thing in the 90s. Given the pressing issues of our society, ie global warming, NASCAR might just not be so in anymore. The FOT is being hurt by the economy like the rest of us and is unsure about making a trip for a race. They are also deluged with other forms of entertainment ranging from local sport teams to the 999 channels offered by your satelite or cable company

Not to say that I am down on all of you FOTs. There are some who have done their homework and are welcome additions to the planet. It is the casual FOT who becomes the issue. Some of you have even joined the ranks of internet journalists. You have opinions and you are not afraid to stand by them. To you I say welcome.

Last of all we add the infamous MOT (new term: Management of Today). Once upon a time there was a sanctioning body in Daytona Beach. The leader was a racer and he ran his business so that he, his family and his racers could try to succeed. He was not afraid to tell big business what they could and could not do. He did not fear them. He knew he had his teams and who they were loyal to. He knew that he had his tracks and who they would work with. He knew enough to let his racers race, even if it meant a bit of cheating and rough play..

Today it is much different. Management is looking more and more like a deer caught in the headlights. They bend knee to all who come near with $$, They try to clone themselves as drivers and team owners. All must play the corporate game. All must play fair. The knowledge that Chrysler and GM are in trouble has them shaking behind their $100 sunglasses Ratings are down, revenue is down, attendence is down. Sponsors are curtailing or leaving, teams are laying off people and closing. Something needs to be done and soon. My question is will the MOT be able to do something, anything to get both the FOT and the FOTP interested and turning the turnstiles again.

Watch this space for a new contest designed for all FOTP. My editor wants to make you a winner! The rules are simple, I will be posting in this column, a vintage photograph. It can be a modified, late model or even an early Cup car. The non Cup cars will have been driven by someone who actually competed in the Cup series. Name the driver! 1st correct entry to kokoracer@gmail.com is the winner. Some will be difficult, some easy, but none will be impossible.

Till next week, run hard, turn left and stay straight. John .