Bubble Talk: A Spectator’s Review of NASCAR During Coronavirus

Bubble Talk: A Spectator’s Review of NASCAR During Coronavirus

Credit needs to be given to NASCAR. They have done a great job of seizing the moment, while they have also taken care of their drivers. NASCAR travels almost every weekend, usually crossing state lines to go track to track and none of this changed during Covid-19. NASCAR’s Cup Series has run races on 19 different days at 14 different venues, some even with socially-distanced spectators in attendance. However, in spite of all of this NASCAR has only had 1 positive test for Covid-19. They have done a remarkable job of making the best out of a terrible situation and providing their fans with great racing. But why was it so important for NASCAR to rush back? 

NASCAR has struggled mightily financially over the past decade with television ratings dropping. However, Coronavirus provided them with a unique opportunity to run races while almost all sporting/entertainment events were stalled. NASCAR has capitalized on this opportunity. Their return to racing was at Darlington in South Carolina on May 17th, where they drew 6.32 million viewers. That mark was the most watched non-Daytona NASCAR race since 2017. And surprising to many, NASCAR’s ratings surge has not wavered with the resumption of the Big 4’s (NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB) activity. The Foxwoods Casino Resort 301 from New Hampshire was the most-viewed sporting event from August’s first weekend. This year’s rise in viewership also comes after some of the worst luck NASCAR has ever had for weather. Over half of the races have been postponed or delayed, because of weather and their ratings are still rising. NASCAR has also made some fundamental changes, as their actions and words have become louder than ever before.  

NASCAR has taken steps for the future by taking a stance against racism and in support of social justice. This will likely cost them viewers in the short-term as they lose longtime fans who disagree with this model, but in the long-term this looks great. NASCAR has needed to branch out for a long time and they finally have taken excellent steps in that direction. They were quick to support and promote Bubba Wallace Jr., the Cup Series’ only black driver and they have given their drivers platforms to speak on issues. The North American leader for this model has been the NBA, who has seen their league grow substantially in the past 20 years. This growth has happened, while giving their athletes a platform to empower themselves. In a time of uncertainty for NASCAR, they have realized they needed to take lessons from the NBA. And on June 7th in Atlanta NASCAR took a ginormous step forward. They halted the cars on track during their pace lap, so that NASCAR Executive Vice-President Steve Phelps could speak. This speech was one of the most important speeches, NASCAR has ever delivered and it set the tone for this year. Just two weeks later NASCAR asked the FBI to investigate a noose found in Bubba Wallace’s garage and they stood up for their driver. That same weekend they doubled down by performing arguably the most powerful sporting moment of 2020. The entire garage rallied around Bubba and walked him to the grid, a display no one ever expected to see in NASCAR. It was beautiful and it gave me faith in this sport’s survival. 

The road will not be easy for NASCAR, although these changes come while not only their fan-base is changing but their drivers are changing. NASCAR has seen the old horses retire or announce their eventual retirement. Fortunately a new group of young drivers led by Chase Elliott have taken the reins. Elliott has already been voted NASCAR’s most popular driver for two consecutive years and he is joined by the likes of Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones and many more. NASCAR’s new generation of drivers can attract a new generation of fans, as these fans will endear themselves to these younger and social media savvy drivers. Additionally, this year’s racing has been quite exciting. With no practice or qualifying, these guys have shown up on Sunday to race all out with basically no preparation. Through 21 races there have been 10 different winners, while 24 different drivers have finished in the Top 5 of a race. In 2020 the unpredictable has usually occurred and that has translated over to NASCAR in a great way. 

What does this all mean? What it means is that maybe you, the reader should give NASCAR a chance. A chance which this sport has earned by taking steps into the future, steps of progress. It is easy to pick a driver to cheer for and follow along as these guys head into the NASCAR Playoffs. All they ask is that you sit down on a Sunday, grab yourself a cool drink and watch with some friends and/or family. In these changing times, open yourself to change, give NASCAR a chance.