NASCAR: A 12-Step Recovery Program

Face it, Bubbas, NASCAR is in the tank. Actually, NASCAR should face the fact that its organization is in the tank. The Bubbas have already left the arena. You can actually find tickets for races at Bristol. Backstretch seating was not open for the July 4 race at Daytona. Television ratings now rival those of hockey, lacrosse and tiddly winks. NASCAR is on the brink of becoming what it was: a regional anomaly. Unfortunately, it’s regional draw (drawl?) is already eroding in the breadbasket of stock car auto racing, namely western North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast, due to a decade worth of poor marketing and growth decisions. Here’s what NASCAR can do to get back its swagger.