Finally, Good News About TV Ratings And Truck Series’ Future
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Over the years, I’ve been described by some people as being overly critical or “too negative” (according to one NASCAR official) about the sport of stock car racing and the sanctioning body that runs it.
Unfortunately, my critics – including said unnamed NASCAR official – just don’t get it. Or, should I say, they just don’t get me and my true intentions.
I absolutely love this sport, always have, always will. If I am critical, it’s because I want the sport to improve, to thrive and become even more popular; I’m typically only critical if I see things that I feel may be impeding that forward progress.
That being said, I’m going to be positive in today’s blog about things I have criticized in the past, because I see some of that forward progress.
First off, for the first time this season, TV ratings in a race were up from last year’s event. That’s right, ratings of Sunday’s TNT telecast of the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway were up 2.5 percent (cable ratings, 4.1 from last year’s 4.0) and 1.1 percent in estimated TV viewers (5.55 million viewers, vs. 5.495 million that watched last year’s race).
Even though the increases are small, they’re still increases nonetheless. That’s great news as far as I’m concerned. Let’s hope Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona also sees higher TV ratings.
The other item is about the future of the Camping World Truck Series. Reports in recent weeks have had NASCAR, due to the struggling economy, considering ending what I consider one of the most exciting forms of motorsports in the world.
Fortunately, Tuesday, NASCAR VP of Corporate Communications, Jim Hunter, said the truck series is safe and that it will not close up shop now, at the end of the season or anytime in the foreseeable future.
Now, that doesn’t mean the truck series isn’t struggling. It is. One need look only at how defending champion Johnny Benson couldn’t find sponsorship for the season and lost his ride three weeks ago.
NASCAR is reportedly looking at a number of options to further contain costs, including one-day shows (which I think is a GREAT idea), reducing traveling crews, and even reducing the schedule from the current slate of 25 races to perhaps 20 (which I would hate to see, but it may be a financial reality and necessity for long-term survival).
Sure, the series may have to bite the bullet somewhat, but I’d much rather see it do that than be totally eliminated. Don’t you agree?
Posted by Jerry Bonkowski on 07/01 at 05:24 AMJerry, I totally agree with you when it comes to the trucks. Some of the best side by side racing is occurring in that series. Any one of the drivers can win at any time, and that’s exciting.
What I don’t understand is why there are so few fans interested, in what has to be the best bang for your buck, in going to the track, or watch it on TV?
What do you, and the fellow readers, think could or should be done to help solidify the truck series and get it back on solid footing?
The NCWTS is great for a number of reasons in my book -
1. The races are short and keep your attention.
2. The racing is awesome.
3. A lot of the races are at night, which for me makes it easier to settle in and watch.
My suggestions for enhancements? In this economy my wish list is a bit extravagant, but I’ll publish nonetheless.
For one, better exposure. I love SPEED, but we need to get truck racing out to more viewers. Lets see a Saturday night show on FOX a few times a year. A Saturday afternoon race on NBC or ABC (surely golf can take a back seat for ONE weekend). Probably a tough sell, but I’d love to see it someday.
Better race winning for drivers would encourage them to stay in the series and enhance the following. Let’s be honest, all the young pups are only using the truck series as a springboard to get to Nationwide and Cup.
Lastly, more support from bigger teams associated with the Nationwide & Cup series - get some Hendrick & Childress trucks in there to bang fenders with Roush and KHI. Not likely to happen in this economy, though.
I like the idea of one-day shows. Brings in the excitement of hometown racing to a whole different level and should save the teams a ton of money.
Jerry great article as always .To get the truck series to draw more fans they should cut some of the races, and trucks are really “bad” on short tracks ,they do have great races ,if you can block out the other views. I think alot of the caring for them goes out the window when the show {which cant be helped]shows ssoooooo many empty seats They nrrd also to race in areas of the country where these races would fill up to a better level.The speedtv channel had good racing for the trucks and right now more people are watching on tv because of the cost of getting to the tracks ,not necessarily the price of a ticket.
