NASCAR Chairman Brian France says he’s happy with racing, Chase

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Sunday, September 27, 2009

NASCAR Chairman Brian France says he's not that concerned that television ratings were down for this year's first Chase For The Sprint Cup race.

David Griffin
NASCAR Scene

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DOVER, Del. – NASCAR Chairman Brian France said he is happy with the competition and he is not sweating that television ratings were down for the first Chase For The Sprint Cup event this year.

The ratings for the Sprint Cup race last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway were a 3.2 on ABC, according to ESPN officials. Last year, it was a 3.8 while the rating was 3.3 in 2007.

“We were up in August for almost every event and up in Richmond as well, so we were a little surprised,” France said. “It’s one race and I think if we keep having the kind of racing and the Chase unfolds the way I think it’s going to, that will take care of itself. We don’t have a concern about that. … The Chase has got the right storylines, the right things going on [and] the racing is very good.”

France also said he didn’t anticipate having additional two-day weekends next year on the Sprint Cup schedule.

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21 responses to "NASCAR Chairman Brian France says he’s happy with racing, Chase". Post a Comment.

1

timmytoad1 said:
Sep 27, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Your an idiot Mr France, your father and grandfather would be disgusted with how you are ruining the sport they built. Ignoring the drivers and more importantly the fans concerns is insulting. You are so far into denial it isn't funny, acting like nothing is wrong goes to show you are not qualified to be the head of Nascar. Take your millions go to Europe and let someone that cares about Nascar, it's drivers and the fans run the show. Humpy Wheeler anyone??
2

kyle10 said:
Sep 27, 2009 at 12:52 PM
100% agree with No. 1...
3

RonSchwalbe said:
Sep 27, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Many children are happy when given a new "toy" - - "SOME" know how to use it - -OTHERS - BREAK it !!!
4

eschanz69 said:
Sep 27, 2009 at 5:54 PM
I so agree timmytoad, this chase format they thought up has only benefited 1 driver only , hmmmm i am thinking of a number let see the 48. He never seems to struggle. NASCAR doesn't listen to these drivers they want a little more freedom to work on the chasis, but god forbid they can touch NASCAR's car. Thats what its all about. Its their car & you cant mess with it. Its like a little kid with a new toy. Its mine & you cant touch it.The only driver that seems to not want changes top this car is the 48, surprise surprise. Last time I checked this sport was made up of 43 drivers who were all over the age of 20 thats makes them adults not children, stop treating them like that.
5

phillipwafford said:
Sep 27, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Brian you should be satisfied ??? your beloved is about to make history. the only thing is the fans don't. I thought the super COT was supposed to cut cost by the teams not having to build so many cars but every week you hear teams say this is a NEW CAR? what is up with that? you have your head so far up your A##%^ money bags you can't see daylight let alone good racing.
6

Carol-88-fan said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I'd like to know what planet this guy is living on. Maybe when they test Mayfield again, they should test him. They have fewer people at the tracks, and with the exception of a few races, the ratings are down.How can this be good? Maybe they can use the economy as an excuse at the tracks,but not tv. I'm beginning to think he wants to ruin the sport.I agree totally with #1.
7

Werner said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 3:09 PM
the $$$ are still coming in...more could come in if he was any kind of promoter and supplier.......i still can't get a Jimmie Johnson 3X Champ diecast...
8

esuchlandldo said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Brian France is satisfied? I attended the spring race at Dover and there was over 65,000 empty seats. From what I saw on TV, it looked like the same amount of empty seats. He's satisfied with this? TV ratings are down for about every race, there are thousands of empty seats at about all of the races, and he's satisfied? He and Mike Helton need to get out of their ivory towers and visit the tracks and talk to the fans in the grandstands. Maybe they will get an idea of what is going on.
9

manzytrophygirl said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Words well-written Timmytoad!!! How true!!! Sure hope scenedaily passes these comments on to King Brian!!!
10

hvtestman said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I think Carol-88-Fan may be on to something here concerning testing. The man certainly appears to have a very medicated look on his face in the photo used here!
11

rwilliamhayes said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 6:03 PM
He's brain challenged.We all know it.To bad he doesn't.
12

SheilaLovesNASCAR said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 6:17 PM
I have often asked if Brian gets tested like everyone else. He does look out of it. Anyone who would think up a play-off system, using all 43 drivers within the same 36 races, in a sport with no divisions, has got to have something missing up there. And when no one but the media and Jimmy Johnson wants the Chase, he wonders why no one might want to watch. Wake up. Admit you were wrong and put it back. Before there are no fans left.
13

86elky said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 6:52 PM
I used to never miss watching a race. If something came up I would even record it.
Now I couldn't care less. I've been watching football instead. It's sad to see what Bill Sr & Jr worked so hard to build into a spectacular sport being destroyed by Brain. (and yes, I spelled it right...BRAIN, as in brainless!!!.)
But still am rooting for Mark Martin to get a much deserved championship! Go Mark!
14

jerryswiatek said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 7:21 PM
What the h%#l does he know about the chase, hes just sitting around planning his next jab at Mayfield, He already sunk Carl Long, And more too come!
15

ktgrosch said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Hey Brian, I'm not happy and I'm about done "chasing" for the year. Can you spell N F L? It's far more interesting, less commercials and it's OVER in 3 hours, rain or shine.
16

racenut43 said:
Sep 28, 2009 at 11:32 PM
If you all hate Nascar so much, why do you even bother to comment on these sites?
17

julie28 said:
Sep 29, 2009 at 8:02 AM
I agree with everyone, especially #15. I don't think any of us hate NASCAR. We are expressing what is ruining the sport. I don't care too much because there is very little suprises. Who won? Jimmie Johnson, Who won Mark Martin, Tony Stewart.....Kyle Busch. If the ratings and attendance are down what could be wrong. I guess not everyone wants to see the top 12 race. Who benefits from this chase, Jimmie Johnson I guess? Football has more action!
18

grandmasharon0 said:
Sep 29, 2009 at 10:49 AM
CLUE....LESS! Baby Boy France is so power crazed it is amazing. He is not going to get it until it is too late. The networks will stop airing all the races because of low ratings before someone finally gets it. Like blaming the reduced attendance at the races on the economy. That is just a small part of the problem. Fix the COT and get rid of all the commercials on the TV then both numbers will start to increase again. Oh....and also stop changing the rules at the drop of a hat and applying them whenever, however, and to whomever you want. Be consistent and fair across the board to ALL. The fans are not stooooopid we see, hear, and read what goes on and right is right, wrong is wrong.
19

Werner said:
Sep 29, 2009 at 1:41 PM
my comment was dropped...
20

DickHURTZ said:
Sep 29, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Brian your clueless! According to posts on other articles in SceneDaily, it's because of Junior and the "Junior Nation". Ratings are down because Jr. is not up front racing. If he's out of the race "they" go home. If they're watching at home and Jr. goes out "they" turn off the TV. Junior is the savior of NASCAR and you. HERE'S SOME CLUES: You have to have him running in the top 3 every week. Give him the pole every week no matter where he timed in. Always give him the "lucky dog" if he gets a lap down. His time in the pits shouldn't count, put him back in 1st place no matter where he was in the race previously.

After reading posts on articles about Junior, Junior is the reason NASCAR is going downhill. NASCAR will only survive if the "Junior Nation" and Junior is behind NASCAR. Junior leaves, NASCAR dies.
21

86elky said:
Sep 29, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Yep, that's right, it's the economy! People are just too poor to watch TV.