NASCAR just doesn’t get it.
They can parade Ray Lewis, TI, 50 Cent, and whomever else they want around, but they’re not going to see any substantial increase in non-white supporters until there are drivers of color to cheer for. Call it “The Tiger Woods Effect.” Mind you, in order to get to that point, a lot of other things would need to change, but in doing so, they’d most likely alienate their core fanbase. Considering how marginalized that group has already become due to expansion over the past decade, that’s probably not a move they want to take.
NASCAR’s best bet? Focus on appeasing and cultivating their existing market. It’s working for hockey (pay no mind to that lockout), it can work for NASCAR. After they've taken the time to refocus and (re)determine what type of customer is important to them, then they can worry about expansion again. If I could play "Armchair Executive" for a second, I think that they would do better trying to increase international awareness and buy-in than they would trying to draw in the African-American audience. Well, unless they can find a way to make wearing driver jackets a cool thing again.
Black dudes sure loved representin' DuPont back in the lack 90s.
They can parade Ray Lewis, TI, 50 Cent, and whomever else they want around, but they’re not going to see any substantial increase in non-white supporters until there are drivers of color to cheer for. Call it “The Tiger Woods Effect.” Mind you, in order to get to that point, a lot of other things would need to change, but in doing so, they’d most likely alienate their core fanbase. Considering how marginalized that group has already become due to expansion over the past decade, that’s probably not a move they want to take.
NASCAR’s best bet? Focus on appeasing and cultivating their existing market. It’s working for hockey (pay no mind to that lockout), it can work for NASCAR. After they've taken the time to refocus and (re)determine what type of customer is important to them, then they can worry about expansion again. If I could play "Armchair Executive" for a second, I think that they would do better trying to increase international awareness and buy-in than they would trying to draw in the African-American audience. Well, unless they can find a way to make wearing driver jackets a cool thing again.
Black dudes sure loved representin' DuPont back in the lack 90s.
Good point. I believe Bill Lester was the last attempt at a black dude being behind the wheel. The problem comes with the ownership, not NASCAR. Those owners have to give those drivers a chance with their +$200k cars.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I wonder how many of "us" are interested in driving those cars, but also want to mingle with the sport known as a group of "good ol' boys" ?
I like NASCAR. I don't "love" it, but I do like it. But I'm only interested because of the science involved. There's more to it than just a left turn. Most of "us" or general public only sees it as that.
-RAP, II
RAP, You're exactly right that NASCAR has different objectives than the actual teams do. Also, the sport is so expensive, very few teams make the profits that the general public thinks they do.
ReplyDeleteThere have always been barriers to getting into the good ol boys club. Race, sex, money (gotta pay to play), and location were all part of it. For a long time if you weren't from Charlotte (not just the south) you couldn't get a ride in NASCAR. The first reason I hated Jeff Gordon was bc he's not from around here.
Things have changed a lot in the past 15 years or so, and with improved technology and competition, owners are looking more for the best driver, period. Danica will sell a lot of t-shirts this year, but if she doesn't preform on the track, she won't keep her ride or her fans. NASCAR is trying to give opportunities to young minorities with scholarships and internships, and by expanding their series to Canada and Mexico & Europe. For whatever reason you don't see many minorities go past the internship programs and onto competitive teams.