NASCAR Nation

While I've still not mustered the patience to watch a single race in its entirety, I did just recently finish a fun book on NASCAR, titled Sunday Money, by Jeff Macgregor; I rented and watched, to Stephanie's dismay, the NASCAR IMAX movie -- which offers some good action, but its probably not worth the effort; and just yesterday, I just went out and purchased the latest issue of Fortune, which includes a 10-page feature article on NASCAR, titled America's Fastest-Growing Sport -- an excellent article (which is unfortunately not available online, w/out subscription). Here are some interesting factiods from the article:

• NASCAR is the only major sport that has a growing TV audience: In the past five years, its TV ratings increase by 50%. Moreover, the sport is on pace this year for its highest TV viewership ever; the last time a major professional sport set a new viewership high was the NFL in 1981.
• Its growing revenues at a fast pace: E.g., licensed retail sales of NASCAR-branded product have increased 250% over the past decade.
• It has huge brand loyalty: According to a study, 72% of fans are 'more likely' to buy a product if it has the sport's logo on it. Excerpt: "Margie and Phil Chaney, both 45...are living proof. 'Absolutely,' says Phil. 'I don't care what it is -- gasoline, auto parts, or whatever. If it has NASCAR on it, that's the one I'm going to buy.' "
• The breadth and volume of licensed goods NASCAR sanctions is extraordinary. They range from stand t-shirts and based baseball caps to vegetables. Yes, vegatables. A produce distributor now sells NASCAR-branded potatoes, lettuce, and tomatoes in supermarkets arcross the country.

Last night they raced at Bristol, a small, half-mile track. It was a bump and run race, with spin outs, and some controversy. Or so I'm told; again, I got bored half-way thru, but returned at the end for the highlights. The good news, or bad news depending on your perspective, is that Jeff Gordon, one of the biggest NASCAR stars, broke into the top 10 in the points standings. (For some reason or other Gordon evokes a love him or hate following. Why is there a large contigency of NASCAR fans that despise him? Have not figure that one out yet.) Gordon has been on a nice run recently; in the last four races alone, he has risen from 15th to 10th in the point standings. Anyway, what this all means is that if Gordon holds his 10th position thru (I think) the 26th race in Richmond, then he is one of the 10 racers that participate in what is called "The Chase for the Cup," which begins in two weeks and consists of the final ten races of the season. The racer, among the ten, with the most points after the 10th and final race wins the Nextel Cup. The following link offers a synopsis of the Bristol race, in case your interested. Link