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The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters (02/22/12)

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The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters

The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters is a unique forum that brings together the nation's top motorsports media for an hour-long roundtable discussion on the racing issues of the day.

The show is now in its 12th year on The Performance Racing Network.

Brett McMillan, veteran motorsports broadcaster, PRN pit reporter is the host of The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters.

If it happened during last week's race, or is a hot topic for this week's race...you'll hear it discussed in and intelligent and thought provoking manner on the on The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters.

Along with McMillan, scheduled panelist include; Monte Dutton, The Gaston Gazette; Jim Utter, Charlotte Observer; Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider and Jim Noble of TNT; Rick Allen, John Roberts and Wendy Venturini of SPEED; Bob Pockrass, Jeff Owens and Kenny Bruce of NASCAR Scene Daily; Bruce Martin of SI.cm, David Newton and Ryan McGee of ESPN.com; Tom Jensen of SPEED.com, Nate Ryan of USA Today, Lee Spencer of FOX Sports.com, Joe Menzer of NASCAR.com, Jeff Gluck of SB Nation and Dustin Long of Landmark Newspapers.

The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters airs on 200 PRN stations across the nation and can also be heard on NASCAR.com.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Winning Should Matter

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times about how fans care more about whether their teams win or lose than the professional athletes do…got me to thinking about NASCAR.

I have advocated for years, putting more emphasis on winning.  To some extent, they’ve done that…just look at how the championship was decided last year.  If a driver leads 499 laps at Bristol then finishes second, I don’t want to see him get out of the car and talk about what a good points day he had.  I want to see aggravation or frustration.  I want to feel the disappointment he has over the lost win.

Too often, we see a driver criticized for being ticked off or showing “poor sportsmanship” or whining when they don’t win.  If he’s my favorite driver…that’s exactly what I want to see because I’m probably feeling the same way.

In this era of professional sports, though, there’s an awful lot of money going to the competitors.  In many cases so much money that “a good points day” can translate into a big check. 

This is not a problem exclusive to NASCAR.  The athletes whose desire for trophies and championships overrides any thought of how much those wins pay…are few and far between.  So, next time you hear a driver bemoaning the fact that they were missing a little something extra…give them a break.  And, be thankful that they care.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Missing the "Look"

I believe one of NASCAR’s bigger issues right now if brand loyalty.  Not whether or not fans will support a sponsor…but, lack of familiarity with the cars they see on the track.

It came back front of mind the other day when I was reading about the Atlanta Braves new “alternate” uniforms.  At home games this year, they’re going to wear white Monday through Thursday, red on Friday and cream on the weekends.  Really???

Now, I understand the reasoning behind this…money (in the form of merchandise sales.)  Unfortunately, teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Celtics, who haven’t filled their lockers with alternate uniforms are rare in this day and age.

Much like the days of seeing the #3 car or the #43 or the #21 look the same on the track week after week are gone.  In this case the reason is still money…but not in merchandise sales.  In this case, it’s about survival.  Few single sponsors are willing (or able) to put out the kind of cash teams need for an entire season’s sponsorship.  So, it leaves you wondering from week-to-week what your favorite driver’s car will look like.  I think that’s a shame.

While we are in the midst of a financial correction, I don’t see it correcting enough to bring back the “36-race look” to teams.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any ready solutions (not that they’d listen to me anyway); I just miss those days.  And, I think that the sport, as a whole, is suffering.

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