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CNBC special looks at NASCAR's future: Could Chevy and Dodge be gone?
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Chevy and Dodge could be out. Audi, Honda and Mercedes could be in. (AP-PHOTO)
CNBC Thursday at 9p.m.
“Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR."
It is unthinkable to many fans but racing icons Chevy and Dodge, who have been with NASCAR since day one could be leaving the sport due to economic issues with both car companies working their way out of bankruptcy. Ford and Toyota could be joined on the Sprint Cup series by Audi, Honda and Mercedes.
So says CNBC’s sports business reporter Darren Rovell who spoke with me about his CNBC special “Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR,” that airs Thursday at 9p.m.
JW: What issues face NASCAR right now and in the future?
Rovell: ”We look at attendance the declines and television ratings and the car manufacturing business. It has forced NASCAR to make changes. The Wall Street crisis effected NASCAR and I that the amount of money that the big teams spend per year will be reduced dramatically and we will see a smaller number of teams running the entire Sprint Cup schedule.”
JW: You were given unprecedented access to NASCAR chairman & CEO Brian France. What is the most interesting thing that viewers will learn about him?
Rovell: ”How he is looking at expanding its international base both with foreign brands and racing outside the U.S. Along with other key issues he is attacking like making NASCAR green, growing their fan base and how quickly the sport can change rules when necessary. France clearly runs the show and that is both a good thing at times it can be a problem. ”
JW: Which driver has made the biggest impact business wise?
Rovell: ”Tony Stewart has become a real challenger to the sports number one brand name Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stewart has excelled in his new role as owner-driver making the Stewart-Haas team, which according to Forbes magazine, is worth $80 million dollars. I think that viewers will be surprised with what a good businessman he is. He is a great driver but people will get to see how many business interests that Stewart is involved in.”
JW: Does the old saying “Win on Sunday, buy on Monday” still apply to NASCAR?
Rovell: ”I don’t think that applies when it comes to car sales but it does work for other sponsors. We found was that key people behind the iconic American brands like Budweiser, Kellogg’s, and Mars to name a few, have stuck with this sport over the years. We also look at NASCAR marketing abilities of super stars Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. I also spoke to movie star Kevin Costner a big time NASCAR fan as well as Marcus Smith who runs Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Julie Geary, the ultimate NASCAR fan. In our attempt at giving the viewers a comprehensive look at the sport.”
For more info: The Detroit NASCAR Examiner, The Atlanta NASCAR Examiner and the National NASCAR Examiner
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