Now that we know who our next President will be, it made me think about how powerful a race fans voice would be if we were given the same chance to make choices concerning this sport.
Democracy is such a powerful thing, and in 2008 no more so did we see it in action. No matter who a person voted for, the passion of the voter was evident. The opinions of the American people counted in this election.
Much like the disdain of the American voter, fans of NASCAR share that same feeling concerning the direction of the sport. Fans are leaving the sport in large numbers. Those inside NASCAR want to blame the poor economy for the downturn, but those who can't afford to attend a race in person aren't watching from home either. So while the economy has pinched the race fans ability to attend a race, the quality of the sport has turned fans away as well.
Race fans are not happy with the direction of the sport. But unlike the election, we cannot change the course in which Brian France chooses to go with a vote. So what can we do to alter the course of the sport? We leave. We quit spending our money on lining Brian France's pocket. We continue to not go to the track, we keep doing other things on Sunday since we waste much of the day waiting for a late race anyhow.
Barack Obama won the popular vote, but if you look closely John McCain carried middle America. The metropolitan cities gave Obama that edge. Big money, big cities had the biggest voice for our newly elected President. But middle America is still not being heard. The big cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York carry more clout, but the little man should not be ignored we must matter just the same.
Race fans are like middle America, we are important and we should have a say. But in order to be heard, we must act. Brian France only sees what large numbers will do for him. He focuses in on the large markets and ignores those who have given the most to the sport, who stood by the sport in it's earliest days, the days when racing was uncool, and in times of great despair.
Those who see the sport falling apart because of the direction its' leader is taking it, have the ability to change the course. Make your voice be heard. Make Brian France hear you. The only way to do that is to tune out the sport, pressure the sport to change, stay away from the track. The downturn of the sport can only be ignored for so long.
Race fans have been ignored long enough, changes have been made that have alienated new and old fans. Our voice is being ignored by those who seem to not believe in our strength as fans. But much like this Presidential election, we have a voice and we deserve to be heard. We have put so much time, effort, and money into a sport we love to only have it become so far removed from what we want. We should demand change.
Regardless of who a person voted for this election year, the volume of people who came out to be heard was amazing and inspiring. Race fans can have that same power to change the direction of this sport, if they are willing to do so.
