Now, that I've had more time to think over Dean's comments, I have a few more points to offer.
You shouldn't be surprised that anyone can have bias toward sponsors.
Bias is a natural by-product of all marketing, especially when marketing an image to an extreme niche. The free market lives and dies by consumer bias. As a company, you hope to win the war of bias and it's a trench fight.
Ford/Chevy, Budweiser/Miller, Goodyear/Firestone (or in racing, Hoosier/American; look how many series conflicts there are all forms of dirt racing where that's concerned). I hate to keep using NASCAR as a benchmark, but look how many fans will (or will not) support drivers based on the product they are associated with. In sprint car racing, there are some fans who think Randy Hanagan's Penthouse sponsorship is inappropriate (even NASCAR won't touch that; and if I remember correctly, they sponsored one of Frank Pedregon's team but were pressured to leave).
All companies know going into the game that their product won't apply and be embraced by all.
I, like everybody, have my likes and dislikes. Obviously, I don't care for the overall image of Oakley (but I did say that if it helps pay the bills, it's okay). Personally, I prefer Scott OTG goggles.
Also, using "pop" image to help market your product isn't always all that successful. Again, look at the sell out champions NASCAR. They grew like crazy and went to the glitz to draw the younger crowd. They went to new markets (California, etc) to draw the younger, affluent crowd. It worked in the short term, but look what's happened. The new markets are panning out and the "new" fans are dropping off. A case of "been there, done that" and now it isn't the popular trend. At the same time, the core fanbase was disenfranchised, turned off and have left the sport by the droves. It's pretty easy to see that they are now suffering dropping media ratings and there are more and more empty seats. Now, they've openly admitted the mistake and are wondering how do they get the old, reliable fans back.
Which leads to your other point concerning the "aging" fan base and dropping attendance at events.
I see a lot of young people at races. More so in Indiana than in most other places I travel. When I'm at Kokomo, Bloomington and Lawrenceburg I see this. So, I think there are new fans coming into the sport. And I see that they are drawn by seeing younger talent that they can relate to. The problem there for USAC is that most of these talented youngsters don't stick around to help cultivate their following. They move on.
Another observation: most of us grew up admiring big American iron. Muscle cars, 400 ci motors. Today's youth are into racing that involves what they drive. Small, 4-cyl imports. Look at how popular NOPI is with the young crowd. Add in eye candy and rap music and they are huge with the youth.
But, I think the biggest problem with attendance is the economy. Young people (and older folks) don't have as much expendable income when it costs more and more each month to cover life's expenses. And, good paying jobs aren't readily available. This is putting a pinch on everybody and people have to be more selective in their choices and most CAN'T afford to travel.
This weekend at Volusia is a prime example. Most young people I've talked to are locals. The majority of the crowd are old timers and retirees. They are the ones who can afford to travel.
But, most young people don't forget what they enjoyed. And, when they are older and have the money, they will return. That's what I did. My Dad took me to my first USAC show when I was eight. So, year's later, what do I still follow? Sprints and midgets.
So, back to what USAC needs. In my opinion, it isn't trendy corporate tie ins. Look at the most successful sprint sanction, WoO. There following is built on the star power of names like Kinser, Lasoski, Swindell, etc. That's what USAC needs. We have our stars like Darland, but again, the up and coming stars jump ship. New fans can't rely on knowing that the hot shoe they enjoyed last year will even be around this year.
Also, remember that NASCAR grew as a regional sanction. Their turf was the Southeast. For all their power, they still struggle to gain footing in other regions.
USAC is not a National series. The Indiana area is their turf. They need to focus on that and make their events something that fans will come to see (just like I do year after year). They need to have a "Daytona 500". But it doesn't happen overnight.
Again, this is a problem for all auto racing, not just USAC. And who knows, perhaps there isn't anything any of us can do. All good things eventually come to an end and maybe we are seeing the twilight of auto racing. Too many factors that no one person or organization can control. Not just the economy. Let's face it, there could soon come a day when auto racing isn't even possible. If cars go electric, would we really pay to watch silent race cars? That day is probably on the horizon. How many tracks are being phased out because communities don't cherish them anymore? How many thought we'd see the day where petitions had to be raised to save a jewel like Terre Haute?
Well enough of my 3am ramblings. I don't have the answers, just thoughts. Let's just enjoy what we can while we can.
