France happy with sport's direction
By Bob Pockrass
Sunday, November 19, 2006
HOMESTEAD, Fla. z- NASCAR Chairman Brian France says he's happy with where the sport is headed as it enters 2007, a season that will bring in a new manufacturer (Toyota), a Formula One driver into NASCAR (Juan Pablo Montoya), a new television partner (ESPN) and a new car for 16 races (the "car of tomorrow").
The 2006 season hasn't been the best as far as television ratings and attendance, but France said Sunday prior to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway that he is pleased.
"It's an awful lot of change, but it's going to be good change," France said. "A lot of exciting things for the fans and the drivers and everyone else to look forward to.
"It's harder to grow when you reach the level we're at, We think there's no question it's an under-covered sport today. That will change over time as the acceptance of this sport all over the country gets better."
France said he hopes the Colombian-born Montoya helps NASCAR in Hispanic markets and the return to ABC/ESPN for half the season will generate buzz among those who aren't diehard NASCAR fans.
"ESPN is going to help us go after the casual sports fan in the area that we're weakest," France said. "I love where we're at. And we're excited about where we're going."
France said any changes to the points system will be made over the next few months.
"Like I've said recently we're looking at making the win more important," France said. "We're always trying to figure out how to do that, and we'll sort that out in the offseason."
