NASCAR: What’s wrong with NASCAR? Part 6 – The fans

Part 1: Old schoolers

Old school fans have a great quality in the sport. Hearing amazing stories about how the sport formed, how it grew and how the old days defined modern NASCAR throws you back into a time of make-believe. If you don’t personally know an old school NASCAR fan, I’d suggest finding one, as their stores are more than stellar.

So how can these fans also be of conflict to the modern day product? Easy; instead of getting with the times of the sport, they fuel the fire that the sport is falling apart and will never be what it used to be.

Usually fans in this category will say things like “NASCAR died with Dale” and “it just ain’t the same”. While the sport has seen major changes since the passing of the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr., the sport has, in fact, not died, and usually produces a decent product.

While I agree that the product could use help, to assume the sport has gone completely down the drain and drivers are just talentless seatholders is hogwash. Don’t get me wrong; I have a ton of respect for old school fans, but they can be a little harsh to current supporters.

Personally, I see this all the time where I work. I sell truck parts for a national retailer and encounter many truckers, a demographic that has a traditional southern appeal, making them a large group of the sport’s former fans. All the time I see old hats and t-shirts, but when I mention NASCAR, many of them don’t support it.

Unfortunately, some of the fans we need the most just don’t give a hoot any longer. These fans don’t try to learn the new formats and rules and won’t accept that the days of old have passed. The sport is arguably more exciting than it used to be, but don’t tell that to a fan from the 1980s. Knowing who the champion was three weeks before the season finale is their cup of tea.