TV Times – NASCAR Homestead Ratings Drop Continues Falling Viewership Trend

The Homestead, Chase TV ratings are down as difficult 2009 concludes. Jimmie Johnson’s history-making performance, in a perfect world, would be driving up fan interest in the sport. Instead, the latest numbers show he’s continuing to drive them away.

The title-clinching race at Homestead for the No. 48 pulled just a 3.2 overnight rating, down 13.5 percent from the same event one year ago. That concludes a dismal Chase for NASCAR in the Nielsens, with none of the ten playoff races posting increases over 2008. In fact, the final numbers show an overnight average of just 2.95, down 10.6 percent overall as the sport continues a slow but steady fan decline. This report came from StockCarGazette.com.

The Automobile Club de Ouest (ACO), owners and organizers of the Le Mans 24 Hours motor-racing event, has taken the decision bring all media rights in-house The IMG agency has represented the rights for the Le Mans event for more than 20 years. Jean-Claude Plassart, (ACO president) and Remy Brouard (ACO CEO) said they “felt the time was right to take a greater responsibility of its assets”. Consultancy service Cotterill & Associates will assist the ACO in managing the rights under the direction of Fabrice Bourrigaud, marketing and communications director of the ACO. Cotterill & Associates will also help market the expanding Le Mans Series in Europe and help develop the “Asian Le Mans series”. This item also came from SportsBusinessInternational.com.

According to the Charlotte Observer former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is making efforts to get details of Brian France’s divorce. Mayfield and his attorney seem to feel that it’s relevant to their ongoing legal effort that resulted in Jeremy being suspended from NASCAR over use a of a controlled substance. Robin Miller, who covers Indy Car racing for Speed, is usually right about all things in Indy Car racing. He had it right on the mark when he talked about Tony George getting sacked from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League after a bunch of denials from inside the IMS front office. Miller now claims that Tony is now out shopping for investors to help him buy the IRL so he run it without interference from his family BOD members. The rumor mill tells of former Indy Car driver Steve Krisiloff, who married into the George clan, getting the nod from the family to take the reins of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

HANS Performance Products announced a 10 percent payout increase in contingency sponsorship to sportsman drag racers from 2008 to 2009. Marketing Manager Andrea Walker said, “We are extremely pleased to see HANS Device users winning races.” She continued, “We’re excited to see our presence in the drag racing market continue to grow.”

Survey results prove more and more drag racers choose HANS Devices. HANS has been offering contingency money to sportsman racers of NHRA and IHRA for the past 3 years. Both factors are proof that drag racers are dedicated to safety and committed to the HANS Device.

Sales Director Howard Bennett said, “More racers are starting to wear the HANS Device by choice and not waiting for officials to mandate head and neck restraints.” He continued, “It’s great to see racers taking the initiative.” The HANS Device is the #1 choice for performance, #1 for vision and #1 for winners.

For anyone that’s ever wanted to write or draw on a Lamborghini without being reprimanded – here’s your chance! Lamborghini Dallas in Plano, a division of the Boardwalk Auto Group, is hosting “Come Make Your Mark,” a fundraiser benefitting the Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $1 an inch, anyone can sign, draw or write a message on a Lamborghini. All proceeds will go to the Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas.

Lamborghini Dallas is proud to have the opportunity to partner with the Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas for this event. They believe that this is a great way to start the holiday season off by giving back to others while allowing the public to have a great time.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurobehavioral movement disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. With the help of events like “Come Make Your Mark,” the Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas raises funds to directly assist Texas families and children in crisis, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Here’s what’s on the tube this week and into the weekend courtesy of RaceFanTV.com.
On Monday TSN offers NASCAR Cup Season Review at 2:30 p.m. followed by the NASCAR Nationwide Season Review. Speed offers NASCAR Race Hub at 7:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the same time. Friday Speed airs NASCAR’s Best Moments at 5 p.m. followed by NASCAR’s Best Surprises and then NASCAR’s Best Dramatic Moments at 6 p.m. ESPN-CL broadcasts the May ‘04 NHRA National from Bristol at 6 p.m. Speed comes back at 6:30 p.m. with NASCAR’s Best Moments followed by the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Awards Banquet at 7 p.m. Then at 9 p.m. it’s the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Banquet from Vegas.

Saturday’s offerings include a noon airing of the German Touring Car event from Hockenheim, Germany followed by the British Touring Car race from Brands Hatch in England. Sunday’s race programming starts a 5 p.m. on Speed with the VW Jetta Cup from VIR #1 and #2. At 6 p.m. There’s more of the Jetta Cup from Autobahn CC in Joliet, IL followed by the event held at Road America, WI. At 7 p.m. There’s a special post season edition of the Speed Report. At 8 p.m. on Speed. HD Theatre offers an airing of the World Rally from Australia at 8 p.m. (END)

NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES, NOTES AND OTHER SOURCES.