Annotated Bibliography

Bibliography

“Daytona 500 not Immune from Recession’s Squeeze”

Empty seats for NASCAR's biggest race? Braig, the Daytona track operator, states that Daytona has sold roughly 110,000 of the track's 168,000 seats, and that he's expecting a full house on the day of the Daytona 500.  This lack of interest of tickets was shown on the date of January 11th, only one month before the country’s biggest NASCAR race.  Braig and his staff watched as Walt Disney World in Orlando awarded free nights at its hotels, as the NFL lowered ticket prices by 10 percent, as the recent Dolphins-Ravens playoff game in Miami featured a multitude of empty seats. In a crowded and competitive Florida entertainment market, Daytona couldn't stand still.  The article also mentions how other track facilities are considering lowering the prices and the market leaders in Daytona are starting to take the same approach.  

David Caraviello.“Daytona 500 not Immune from Recession’s Squeeze.” NASCAR.com. January 11, 2009. NASCAR. <http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/cup/01/11/daytona.500.tickets/>

“NASCAR and the Recession - Is This the Beginning of the End for Racing”

We all know that the Recession is taking its toll on sports worldwide. Perhaps no sport is being hit as hard as motor sports around the globe.  However, no sport is being hit as hard as Nascar because there is no sport that is, at its core, as tied to the American auto industry.  Sponsors are starting to pull out of the sport because they do not have enough sponsorship money to put their decals on the car.  With the lack of sponsorship in the sport due to recessionary times, there is a risk of the sport failing in the future.  Nascar has just as much riding on the White House bailout discussions as does GM and if I were Brian France, the Nascar CEO, I would be very, very worried right now.  

“NASCAR and the Recession - Is This the Beginning of the End for Racing” blogger.com. December 17, 2008. Blogger. <http://thesportsbizblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/nascar-and-recession-is-this-beginning.html> 

“For NASCAR , Clouds of Recession are Starting to Part”

There is a brutally competitive atmosphere for sponsorship. Some teams will steal sponsorship right from under the feet of another.  Let's face it, whether the deal you're doing is big or small, there's a lot of value in that. They tend to cost a pretty decent sum of money, whether it's half a million dollars or $5 million, whatever it may be.  There are corporations right now that are sitting on billions of dollars. They are gun shy right now because they don't know what the tax rules are going to be.  NASCAR is still a phenomenal place to market. But there are just still way too many questions out there that need to be answered relative to what the administration will do.

David Caraviello. “For NASCAR, Clouds of Recession are Starting to Part.” NASCAR.com. November 3, 2010. Inside NASCAR. <http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/features/11/03/inside-nascar-optimism-sponsorships/index.html>

“5 Ways to Fix NASCAR”

NASCAR's tightest title battle in 18 years took place three months ago, yet it was hard to find the electricity at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  NASCAR has spent the past three seasons trying to inject excitement on the track, and it resulted last year in records for green-flag passes, average lead changes and leaders per event.  There are five ways to fix the current NASCAR problem.  NASCAR needs to try and get the younger crowd back.  They need to bring back the “It” factor and bring back the “basics” of NASCAR.  They also need to make the season shorter.  Finally, NASCAR needs to discover a new working-class hero.  

Nate Ryan. “5 ways to Fix NASCAR.” USA Weekend. February 20, 2011. USA Today. < http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110218/ENTERTAINMENT07/102200315/5-Ways-fix-NASCAR>

“Daytona Drag: NASCAR Tries to Outrace the Recession”

This article focuses on how NASCAR should rev up its popularity during the Recession.  Many of the drivers on the current circuit are considered very boring and stale.  NASCAR needs to get back to its roots of crazy and interesting drivers who express their opinions at every chance they are given.  With manufacturer problems present in Detroit, the introduction of more commercial time is presently at a stand still. Sponsorships are being dropped and revenue is being lost during this Recessionary period.  What can NASCAR do to stop it?

Sean Gregory. “Daytona Drag: NASCAR Tries to Outrace the Recession.” Time.com. February 12, 2009. <http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1879136,00.html> 

“Top 5 Issues Facing NASCAR” 

There are currently five major issues in NASCAR.  There is currently a lack of sponsorship seen in NASCAR from team to team.  The current rule regulations in NASCAR are very imbalanced by current technology.  There are current problems with the feeder series in NASCAR and it is not sufficient in audience attention.  The current championship system is under very tough debate in the sport.  The major decline in TV viewership is also killing the sport in revenue loss.

David Caraviello. “Top 5: Issues Facing NASCAR.” NASCAR.com. January 1, 2011. Top 5. <http://www.nascar.com/news/110101/top-5-issues-facing-nascar/index.html>

“Fixing NASCAR: Attracting, retaining sponsors requires teamwork between NASCAR, tracks and teams.”

In the last few years, NASCAR has said good-bye to Texaco, Verizon, Old Spice, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Irwin Tools, AT&T and Wrigley’s. The economy certainly has impacted sponsorships renewals.  There are many ways to fix this current problem of lack of sponsorship.  Teams and Track Owners need to work together to try and make this happen as a whole.  Sponsorship is needed for this sport to survive.

Bob Pockrass. “Fixing NASCAR: Attracting, retaining sponsors requires teamwork between NASCAR, tracks and teams.” SceneDaily.com  February 7, 2011. NASCAR News Now. <http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Fixing_NASCAR_Attracting_retaining_sponsors_requires_teamwork_between_NASCAR_tracks_and_teams.html>