France named one of most influential, IndyCar likely to grow
Sports Business Journal has named its annual list of 50 most influential persons in sports business and the only representative from motorsports is NASCAR CEO Brian France. He is 17th on the list, moving up from 18th last year. According to Sports Business Journal, "No sport was punished more by the recent recession than NASCAR. Attendance, TV numbers and sponsorship declined. But France is charting the way forward with a five-year plan designed to build the sport's young and multicultural fan base, improve its digital and social media offerings, raise its driver profiles and enhance the race-day experience." Sports Business Journal
Other Sports Business Journal Motorsports Survey Results
Biggest challenge facing NASCAR in the year ahead
| TV ratings | 28.9% |
| Attendance | 23.1% |
| Mainstream appeal of drivers | 18.1% |
| Rising cost of sponsorships | 11.9% |
Respondents: 830
Grade Brian France’s performance as chairman and CEO of NASCAR
| A | 7.1% |
| B | 46.5% |
| C | 36.8% |
| D | 6.8% |
| F | 2.8% |
Respondents: 1,036
Property best positioned for growth
| IZOD IndyCar Series | 40.7% |
| AMA Supercross/Motocross | 29.1% |
| NHRA | 15.3% |
| American Le Mans | 12.5% |
Respondents: 752
Sponsor that does the best job activating around NASCAR
| GoDaddy.com | 12.8% |
| Sprint Nextel | 11.8% |
| Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) | 9.0% |
| Lowe’s | 8.1% |
Respondents: 892
Biggest challenge facing the IZOD IndyCar Series in the year ahead
| TV ratings | 33.6% |
| Marketing its drivers | 31.2% |
| Attendance | 19.6% |
Respondents: 756
Grade Randy Bernard’s performance as CEO of the IZOD IndyCar Series
| A | 5.0% |
| B | 35.0% |
| C | 45.1% |
| D | 10.5% |
| F | 4.5% |
Respondents: 737