The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. A championship determining concept that
has generated almost as much controversy as the BCS in college football. Since its
inception in late 2003 fans have been mixed. Some believe the champion should
be the most consistent driver. Others believe the champion should be the driver
with the most wins. No matter what the fans believe, the Chase is still a turn
off for die-hards.
Over the winter, NASCAR announced it would be tweaking the Chase format for the third time in ten years. The rules simple, win and you're in. Sixteen drivers, either with a win or the most points, are now eligible for the championship. Only now, you have eliminations. Four drivers are eliminated every three weeks for ten weeks. All this done to fulfill Brian France's agenda: appeal to the casual fan.
Yes, the casual fan. An entity hated by die-hards and envied by CEO's. If your sport appeals to the casual sports fan, you're certain to make money. This has been Brian France's goal for NASCAR since he took over as CEO in 2003. France dreamed of making NASCAR bigger, family friendly, and a direct competitor to the NFL. In the eleven years since Brian France's tenure began it has become blatantly clear he has only achieved two out of those three goals. NASCAR is certainly bigger. If you pick up a copy of USA Today or read ESPN's bottom line, you're certain to see more NASCAR coverage than ten years ago. NASCAR has distanced itself from the bootleggers, hillbillies, and rednecks that so plagued its appeal in the 80's and 90's and become a much more family oriented sport.
The NFL however, has always been there. No matter how much Brian tries, NFL fans do not care about NASCAR. France's attempts have seemed great on paper but failed to grow the casual fan base. NFL fans like playoffs? Make playoffs in racing. NFL fans like people hitting each other? Give the infamous "Boys Have at It" speech. NFL fans like halftime shows? It's only a matter of time until NASCAR has halftime.
Even after all the promos on ESPN, ratings have not changed. The first round of the Chase is over. Four drivers are eliminated. This is what NFL fans wanted to see, right?
According to Jayski.com, television ratings for Chicagoland were up 1,000,000 viewers from 2013. However 2013's race was rain delayed. Ratings for New Hampshire stayed the same and last weekend's race at Dover saw a decline in ratings. That only means one thing. NFL fans are still watching the NFL!
No amount of rule changes is going to sway a casual ball sport fan to auto racing. ESPN is doing a stellar job in coverage and promotion, but the needles are not changing. Maybe next year when Fox and NBC take over coverage, fans will be more interested. However if The Worldwide Leader in Sports can't help NASCAR, it's doubtful anything else can.
Over the winter, NASCAR announced it would be tweaking the Chase format for the third time in ten years. The rules simple, win and you're in. Sixteen drivers, either with a win or the most points, are now eligible for the championship. Only now, you have eliminations. Four drivers are eliminated every three weeks for ten weeks. All this done to fulfill Brian France's agenda: appeal to the casual fan.
Yes, the casual fan. An entity hated by die-hards and envied by CEO's. If your sport appeals to the casual sports fan, you're certain to make money. This has been Brian France's goal for NASCAR since he took over as CEO in 2003. France dreamed of making NASCAR bigger, family friendly, and a direct competitor to the NFL. In the eleven years since Brian France's tenure began it has become blatantly clear he has only achieved two out of those three goals. NASCAR is certainly bigger. If you pick up a copy of USA Today or read ESPN's bottom line, you're certain to see more NASCAR coverage than ten years ago. NASCAR has distanced itself from the bootleggers, hillbillies, and rednecks that so plagued its appeal in the 80's and 90's and become a much more family oriented sport.
The NFL however, has always been there. No matter how much Brian tries, NFL fans do not care about NASCAR. France's attempts have seemed great on paper but failed to grow the casual fan base. NFL fans like playoffs? Make playoffs in racing. NFL fans like people hitting each other? Give the infamous "Boys Have at It" speech. NFL fans like halftime shows? It's only a matter of time until NASCAR has halftime.
Even after all the promos on ESPN, ratings have not changed. The first round of the Chase is over. Four drivers are eliminated. This is what NFL fans wanted to see, right?
According to Jayski.com, television ratings for Chicagoland were up 1,000,000 viewers from 2013. However 2013's race was rain delayed. Ratings for New Hampshire stayed the same and last weekend's race at Dover saw a decline in ratings. That only means one thing. NFL fans are still watching the NFL!
No amount of rule changes is going to sway a casual ball sport fan to auto racing. ESPN is doing a stellar job in coverage and promotion, but the needles are not changing. Maybe next year when Fox and NBC take over coverage, fans will be more interested. However if The Worldwide Leader in Sports can't help NASCAR, it's doubtful anything else can.
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