NASCAR’s downhill slide further indication motorsports is in big trouble

AutoRacing1.com has talked about this problem for over a year now. The youth of this country have fallen out of love with the automobile and that does not bode well for the future of the automobile sales, nor does it bode well for the future of motorsports. AutoRacing1.com proposed what is probably the only thing that can save this sport from extinction – getting the NCAA to sanction go-kart racing at the high school and college level and getting universities involved in the sport at the professional level – i.e. make racing a 'sport' in the minds of the youth of this country . But the fat cats running motorsports appear oblivious.

Commentator Frank Deford said, "As the NASCAR season climaxes, America's prime motorsport continues to see its popularity in decline. For several years now revenues and sponsorship have plummeted, leaving an audience that increasingly resembles the stereotype that NASCAR so desperately thought it could grow beyond: Older, white, Dixie, working-class."

Appearing on NPR’s “Morning Edition" yesterday, Deford said ESPN and Turner "took a look at the down graphs and the downscaled demographics and didn't even bother to bid on the new TV contract." Deford noted "economics are part of the problem" as gas prices have limited fans' travel, but there "may be a couple more fundamental problems that NASCAR must face up to."

The "evidence shows that our fascination with cars, and by extension" race cars, has "diminished" as many younger Americans feel a "car is just another appliance." Deford: "For a generation that's grown up with video games, merely watching automobiles drive fast simply may not be thrilling enough. … Do we really want to watch cars anymore? Cars are for taking you somewhere, like to a game!" "Morning Edition," NPR