I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks me about NASCAR's attendance and why this sport is struggling so much. I could have retired with a nice nest egg.
The answer I give is an honest one: NASCAR is far from alone.
Every major sport is having attendance problem. Even the NFL (though not as noticeably as others). Lately, there have been a plethora of stories about baseball's attendance problems, and, as a result, lot of questions and ideas, as to how to fix them.
Through the first two months of the season, Major League Baseball attendance is down from the same period as a year ago; a season which resulted in the lowest average attendance since 2003. And, already this year, four teams have drawn the smallest crowds ever in their current stadiums.
What are the most often-mentioned suggestions as to how to reverse the drop? Speed up the games and promote more action. Hmm. Shorter events, more action. Sound familiar?
NASCAR is reading out of the same playbook as everyone else right now; the problem is its still being written in pencil...one with an eraser.