Hard Turn
by Jeff Owens
At least one family is watching
March 25, 2008
More blog postings from Jeff Owens
When you work in NASCAR, there is no better gauge to see how the sport is doing than a family gathering.
Get together with the relatives and you’ll find out real quick whether NASCAR is hot or not, or whether people are watching.
During the offseason, around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the gauge was tilted toward lukewarm and cold.
If it wasn’t for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his move to Hendrick Motorsports, there would have been little interest at all.
During family gatherings over the Christmas holidays, there was very little talk about NASCAR, which is rare in a Southern family that has followed the sport for much of its existence.
Most of the comments from family members/fans went something like this: “I haven’t really watched it much lately. I’m tired of the same old guys winning all the time. It’s gotten a bit boring.”
During the Easter weekend, however, the tune around the family dinner table was much different. Most had questions and comments about the new car and had definitely noticed that there has been a bit more controversy this year. Tony Stewart has definitely done his part, attracting attention by Tony being Tony.
And the fact that Earnhardt Jr. is running well and contending has definitely peaked interest.
Rising TV ratings are probably the best indicator that things are looking up.
But my less scientific, grassroots-level, family-oriented survey also shows that fans are beginning to pay attention again.
Get together with the relatives and you’ll find out real quick whether NASCAR is hot or not, or whether people are watching.
During the offseason, around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the gauge was tilted toward lukewarm and cold.
If it wasn’t for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his move to Hendrick Motorsports, there would have been little interest at all.
During family gatherings over the Christmas holidays, there was very little talk about NASCAR, which is rare in a Southern family that has followed the sport for much of its existence.
Most of the comments from family members/fans went something like this: “I haven’t really watched it much lately. I’m tired of the same old guys winning all the time. It’s gotten a bit boring.”
During the Easter weekend, however, the tune around the family dinner table was much different. Most had questions and comments about the new car and had definitely noticed that there has been a bit more controversy this year. Tony Stewart has definitely done his part, attracting attention by Tony being Tony.
And the fact that Earnhardt Jr. is running well and contending has definitely peaked interest.
Rising TV ratings are probably the best indicator that things are looking up.
But my less scientific, grassroots-level, family-oriented survey also shows that fans are beginning to pay attention again.
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