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The times, they are a-changin'
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It's amazing to me how prudent so many of these team owners have become and how everyone is conscious of the economy. Everyone truly is working hard to do more for less. In Daytona and out here in Fontana, I keep hearing the drivers say they have to do more for the fans. They know they have to give you a bigger bang for the buck. They all want to put on a better show and spend more time with the fans. That's great because that's the way it used to be and the way it needs to be. They willingly want to do this. It's not like NASCAR is forcing them to.
Everyone is being more efficient with how they are spending their sponsorship dollars. In the past, as you know, it was the land of plenty. Keeping up with the Joneses was the rule of thumb. If one driver got a bigger motorcoach, then the others had to. If one owner had a seven-post rig, well then another would want two.
Well guess what? Those days are over. Yes, the times, they are a-changin'. It's been a huge wake-up call for our sport and our country in general. There aren't sponsors sitting out there anymore with $17-20 million sponsorships available.
There are sponsors out there, however, that can afford $5-7 million a year. Hey, it's a buyers' market. These smaller companies can be in our sport for a bargain and reap all the benefits NASCAR can offer from the exposure side, the hospitality side and yes, even the merchandising side.
There's also camaraderie in the garage area like we used to have back in the day. Folks are more willing to help each other. The mega teams are reaching out and helping some of these single-car teams that are trying to keep coming to all the races. People like Tommy Baldwin, Jeremy Mayfield, Scott Riggs, John Andretti and others are out there working hard to help themselves in our sport.
NASCAR has always been dollar-for-dollar the best value of any sport out there and we are back there again. It's because of all the efforts of everyone in our sport. It's not just NASCAR. It's the owners, drivers, crews and the tracks. All are working hard to give you more. A great example is out here in Fontana. There is a grocer who is offering a free ticket to the race if you purchase $75 in groceries. That's a great deal.
Just like the others in the sport, we on the TV side are constantly looking for ways to keep the viewers entertained and committed to watching the race on FOX every Sunday. I have to be honest, I don't know that I have ever seen a more comprehensive effort on everybody's part to do more for less. I have to tell you, I am excited to be a part of that.
Oh by the way
Be sure and catch my interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on FOX. As I said in my last column, I have known him since he was a little boy and if he makes a mistake, well, he owns up to it. So he and I sat down to have a little talk about what the heck went on with him during the Daytona 500. I think you will enjoy what he has to say.
Oh by the way too
Congratulations to Brian Vickers for winning the pole. That is somewhat a nice redemption for what happened at Daytona. However, Vickers' team discovered a problem with the engine after qualifying and opted to change power plants. As a result, Vickers will have to start from the rear of the field, but he still gets the first pit selection.
One final oh by the way
My poor brother is having his own engine problems this week. His Michael Waltrip Racing team plane had to make an emergency landing in Las Vegas on the way to Fontana when it developed engine problems. Luckily everyone was fine. But then when Michael got ready to qualify Friday, something went wrong with his race car engine. So Mikey's having a bad week, but I am sure he will rebound.
His teams ran well in Daytona and should be able to carry that momentum forward to this race.
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