Dustin Long

From Daytona to California, Dustin Long covers the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Read all of his stories on PilotOnline.com's Auto Racing channel. He also writes a regular column for SportsIllustrated.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Category: NASCAR

■ 20 January 2009 | 4:47 PM

Bruton Smith wants NASCAR races to be blacked out in local markets

Following what the NFL does, Bruton Smith says NASCAR should black out the races in local markets to help tracks sell all their tickets. NFL games are not shown in a home market unless they are sold out about 72 hours before the game. Thus, if Smith had his way, if Lowe's Motor Speedway couldn't sell out for a Cup race, then Charlotte would not be shown the race on TV. Or if Richmond did not sell out, then that market would not get to see the race aired live.

That Smith is saying this shows how tough a time tracks are having selling tickets. Smith's company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., owns tracks with Cup races in Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Sonoma (Calif), Texas, New Hampshire, and Las Vegas _ making Smith one of the sport's most powerful people, so when he says something people listen.

Declining attendance led to more empty grandstand seats at Sprint Cup races last year. That paints a bad image for NASCAR and cost tracks money. Smith says a blackout could help ensure more tickets being sold. Smith notes that TV does too good of a job broadcasting the races, so it's easier for a fan to decide to stay home and watch it on TV instead of going to the event and paying for tickets, concessions and other items. In fact, an executive at Speed Channel told me just a couple hours before Smith made his statement that the goal for Speed is to make the fans feel as if they're at the track even though they're at home.

Smith says he has not talked to NASCAR about this but admits that the concept "is exactly what should happen because it's worked in the NFL,'' he said. "You have had somebody that is a forerunner there that has done it. They've done it successfully, so why not go ahead and match it.''

It used to be done in the sport and also at Charlotte.

Problem is that was years ago. The issue becomes is helping track operators more valuable than alienating fans in that particular market. Think about Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. If that track doesn't sell out _ and it hasn't in recent years _ then the LA market, one of the country's largest TV markets, would not be shown the race live. Don't think sponsors would like that.

Can't see this happening because there's too much downside right now. Still, these are tough times and folks running the sport have to think in different ways. In this case different isn't likely better.

Of course, what if the TV broadcasts add more to make fans feel more as if they're at the track? Then tracks might demand a blackout.

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Just My Opinion

Submitted by festerDjester on Wed, 01/21/2009 at 12:51 pm.

I made my last trip to a race in Darlington about 1995 and have not attended any since. They have become too expensive and I don't enjoy the traffic at sporting events.. I would have thought that nascar received plenty of money from the networks and sponsors but I guess now they want the whole hog. I think that Nascar and the Bill France family has become spoiled with too much money. The competition isn't as good either as some have stated because there are only a few of the bigger and better financed teams able to win. You can always find out who did what on the news and in the newspapers. Blacking the races out would not make me buy a ticket.

strike up the bugle boy

Submitted by dogpen on Wed, 01/21/2009 at 8:44 am.

& that swan song you'll hear is what we all know as TAPS. The death march, whatever you want to call it, that's what you'll get if this is done. That will just be one more excuse to turn off the TV & go fishing, or do yardwork, or... You get my drift. People all over are not attending races because they can't afford them, so watching on TV is better than nothing. But if they have nothing, & that's what they'll have when the race is blacked out, then there goes that support as well. I think the track owners need to be careful what they wish for, they may just get it, & I don't think it will be pretty. They better be happy anyone is watching, because since the COT came out the racing has been crappy. Only certain teams & drivers winning all the time has really not worked out that well & is driving the little guy out of the sport. Guess who the viewers like to see win, that's right, the little guy, the underdog. Always been like that & always will. Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward, sounds like it's about time to go back a step.

apples to oranges

Submitted by jweisr on Wed, 01/21/2009 at 7:00 am.

Comparing NASCAR to the NFL is like comparing apples to oranges. If your team in the NFL is blacked out then you would watch another game and get updates about your team. NASCAR is the only race and once you are blacked out you will find other , better things to do with your time on a sunday afternoon. I have already.

All about money

Submitted by JRDEAL on Wed, 01/21/2009 at 2:33 am.

I was wondering when NASCAR tack owners would start talking about this. Lets not forget that these greedy track owners also get money from, you guessed it, TV! That is right, money comes to the tracks from the network broadcasting the race. So if they get this blackout in place, hopefully the networks will reduce the amount of money paid to the track owners for loss of network viewers of the race! I am also sure the sponsors of the cars would not be happy with the loss of exposure of their products and services! I would much rather watch a race in the comfort of my own home where I do not have to worry about some drunk spilling beer on me, when mother nature calls, I am not standing in line waiting, and if I want a snack or drink, I do not have to wait in line only to shell out lots of money for snacks and drinks that are marked up 500%!

Sounds like the beginning of the end for NASCAR.

Submitted by jpjones on Tue, 01/20/2009 at 9:37 pm.

While it may have worked for the NFL, a move like this will doom NASCAR.

My last race to attend was

Submitted by jerryg1133 on Tue, 01/20/2009 at 9:29 pm.

My last race to attend was the Richmond fall race, and even though I got to the track early, I had to park a very long distance from the track. It really was very difficult for me to walk that distance because of a minor disability that I am experiencing. The parking in Dover was much closer and I wouldn't mind going back to that track, but I am afraid going back to Richmond is out. If NASCAR does this, then they shouldn't be surprised if it doesn't backfire on them and attendance at the track will dwindle even more.