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. And follow him on Twitter.

Category: NASCAR

■ 06 January 2009 | 1:46 PM

What would you include in a NASCAR Fan Bill of Rights?

I'm looking at doing a future story about fans, and I'm thinking about creating a NASCAR Fan Bill of Rights. What are the expectations you the fan have for NASCAR, the tracks, TV networks and such that is not unreasonable and would make your NASCAR experience more enjoyable?

It could be anything from better bathroom facilities to a mandatory autograph sessions for fans each weekend at the track to doing away with some sort of rule. Remember, keep it reasonable. Tracks aren't going to give away free tickets, and TV networks aren't going to stop airing commericials.

Obviously, these are tough times. The economy is making it harder for some fans to attend races. Just look at the empty seats at some Sprint Cup races last year (attendance declined last year). That's why you the fan have become more important. Without you, more seats get unsold and if you lose interest, TV ratings fall. NASCAR, tracks and TV networks want to keep you involved. So, what will it take?

Now is your chance to be heard. I'm looking at collecting these and refining them into about 10 for a Bill of Rights for the NASCAR fan.

You can e-mail me your suggestions at dustin.long@news-record.com (please include your name, city and state and a phone number in case I need to contact you later).

I can't wait to hear what you want to say to NASCAR, the tracks and TV networks. Thanks.

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No qualifying rainouts!!!!

Submitted by dogpen on Wed, 01/07/2009 at 9:02 am.

There are no excuses for this. The lame excuse of NASCAR having more events to get ran doesn't cut it. Schedules can & do get adjusted @ many other types of outdoor events due to weather & NASCAR should do the same. If it is predicted to rain, take one scheduled practice & make it the qualifying session instead. So I guess it goes like this, NASCAR fans bill of rights should include: No races will be started w/out qualifying on the track that is scheduled to be raced on, no exceptions. Also, make qualifying the 1st race of the weekend & award points for the pole. 10 points for the pole would add interest from the fans point of view & may even help the smaller teams stay in the dreaded top 35. Now that I've mentioned the top 35 rule, scrap that piece of junk rule & let the top qualifiers race. So add to the fans bill of rights: Only the fastest 43 qualifiers get to participate in the weeks scheduled event.

Qualifying

Submitted by CrazyTedVB on Tue, 01/06/2009 at 6:34 pm.

Bring back the old qualifying. The fastest drivers/cars should be in the race. Just because you're a top guy you should still have to qualify.

Bill of Rights

Submitted by Full-Throttle on Tue, 01/06/2009 at 4:46 pm.

A lot of things can be done related to cost and many tracks did so with various package deals last year.

However one major cost wasn't addressed. (and may never be)

The additional cost to attending races are hotel/motel, parking and camping fees that all "magically" sky-rocket in price the week leading up to the NASCAR Circus arriving in town.

The Bill of (fan) Rights should include a "race-day mark-up" of no more than 10 percent over the normal cost asked on any other weekend of the year.