Run the automakers out of NASCAR

That's what some folks are suggesting with the government providing a bailout to U.S. auto manufacturers.

p-town jonnnie asked in a comment to a previous blog of mine: "how is it that it is OK for 2 of the Big 3 in Detroit to take taxpayer dollars and still plow money into NASCAR? do you really think a majority of taxpayers will look kindly on that? the publicity and advertising do not come anywhere near justifying the expense and everyone knows there is nothing stock about a stock car. using taxpayer dollars to subsidize NASCAR is wrong and is an issue that will be coming up.''

Those are legit questions and may come up as the government monitors what the automakers do with their money.

Just because the government is helping out the automakers doesn't mean they have to stop everythng. Advertising will remain a key for the companies. A Ford executive told me last season that numbers showed them that the company saw a greater drop in sales among non-NASCAR fans than to those who considered themselves a NASCAR fan. A GM executive told me last season that they have three key principals in determining if to be with a racing series: 1. They race to win so if they're in a series, they're putting forth the resources to do so. 2. There's an audience that GM can reach through that series to sell cars. 3. The return on investment justifies the expense.

Now, if the automakers can prove to the government than the cost is worth it, it's hard to see them being told to get out of the sport. If they can't prove it, then maybe it's time for the car companies to be focused on other things and get out of the sport. Certainly, the automakers have downsized their invovlement in NASCAR in cutting out involvement in the truck series and not renewing track sponsorship deals. That will save some money. Obviously, cutting off support to race teams would save more (and even if that happened, the sport would survive) and while teams might see a bit less this year, there's still going to be support.

With the government invovled what's your feelings? Is p-town jonnie right about getting the car companies out of NASCAR?

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