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StumblePublished Monday, July 20, 2009 | 9:19 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, July 21, 2009 | 11:40 a.m.
NASCAR CEO Brian France recently revealed that the sport has been in discussions for some time with other foreign manufacturers about them possibly joining Toyota in stock car racing. France made these comments in the back yard of the struggling American auto industry last month at Michigan International Speedway.
Wow! If you think NASCAR fans are on a rampage now, just wait until BMWs, Hondas and Hyundais are drafting around the high banks of Talladega.
France stated that nothing is imminent regarding additional manufacturers and he wouldn't name which manufacturers have talked to NASCAR. But he’s obviously looking to fill any possible gaps that may result from a future reduction of involvement in the sport by American car companies.
I can understand that, but will increasing the number of manufacturers ensure the viability of the sport or will trying to keep the loyalty of core fans do more to ensure the viability of the sport?
I’ve supported increased manufacturer competition when Toyota made its debut in Sprint Cup and I continue to believe that competition is healthy. But there must be a point of diminishing returns when decisions by the governing body could increase the sense of alienation and frustration so many fans feel. The value of this sport hopefully won’t come to the point where it is only defined by the amount of corporate involvement without considering the amount of fan support.
NASCAR has expressed its desire to see American car companies succeed and become profitable again. Preserving a strong presence by American car companies in NASCAR is one way to help accomplish that. And it is a smart way to help maintain the loyalty of the sport’s most important fans.
As a fan since the early 70's,nascar died years ago!Win on sunday,sell on monday. Hell you cant even afford a ticket to see these so called stock cars anymore.Not to mention i have yet to see one of these factory line cars in the showroom! I see worse times ahead for the dedicated race fan in comeing times.
Racing is sport. You can watch Jimmie Johnson in Grand Am. Back when Na$car was great, you saw a lot more race drivers who regularly competed in multiple series.
Na$car isn't a sport, its a business. But its changed the model and the package and along the way it has squeezed everyone in sight...now there is no clear path forward. Shrink, change or fold. They need more than Hyundai to save the biz.
BWM would rather reach its target audience through sailing:
http://bmw-yachtsport.com/ys/en/index.ht...
Budweiser is now owned by Belgian/Brazilian InBev and have not renewed with Kenny Bernstein's racing team (a former Cup team owner), after 30 years of sponsorship. I don't expect them to hang around Na$car trying to win the Coors Light pole for much longer...
Be proud that BMW is joining NASCAR. Next time you spot a BMW X5 or a Z4 on the road, bet your boots that it was built in the plant in Greer, S.C. I think they are building the X6 CUV there too. And while BMW slashed jobs worldwide -- they actually hired more workers in South Carolina. The folks in the Carolinas are proud to be building those cars. I spotted one sitting right next to baggage claim last time I traveled through the Spartanburg Airport as I made my way to Mutt's bbq.
I could not disagree more. I think BMW would not enter NASCAR, just due to demographics.
but for VW it would make a lot of sense.... they want to take on Toyota's marketshare. They can pull from the Buggati, Audi and Porsche technology base.
and was born in raised in Spartanburg, moved to vegas 2 years ago; so I know the impact it's had on our community.
I don't think it matters what make of car they're driving -- they all look the same anyway. If my favorite driver moves to a BMW or a Honda or a Kia, I'd still support him and watch the races.
I don't think you can automatically say fans are going to be upset if more foreign cars come in to NASCAR because there wasn't a big revolt when Toyota came in. Sure attendance is off and TV rating are down but I think that's because of the economy and other factors, not because Toyotas are racing.
Only Merican cars should compete. (Of course the "stock" version of a lot of Nascars are built in Canada or Mexico anyway.) And Obama's birth certificate is fake, now back to the Glen Beck show...
who cares?
most nascar fans can't even spell "BMW".