Back towards the end of October, I wrote of how I was shifting focus of the site because I was unhappy with the direction of NASCAR.  Well, who could have ever imagined what would happen over the past couple of months that have followed?  One of my biggest gripes is the multitude of big teams that were drowning out the smaller teams.  This was, of course, fueled by sponsorship dollars endlessly given by big business including the “Big Three” auto makers.

Well, that was yesterday’s NASCAR.  With the significant fall of the Stock Market and, the pending demise of the “Big Three”, sponsorship money has all but dried up.  Teams are starting to collapse and in the interest of surviving, are looking to merge with each other.  The saddest part of all of this is the massive lay-offs that have hit the racing industry.  Especially at this time of year.

Teams started by two of the biggest names in NASCAR/Winston Cup Racing are struggling for existence.  Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has already joined up with Chip Ganassi Racing to field a four car team.  Petty Enterprises is rumored to be looking to join up with Gillett-Evernham Racing in some type of a merger deal.  NASCAR, in an effort to save money, has even eliminated testing for 2009.

For these reasons, I will be remaining active in my NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series racing.  Not because of wanting to watch a train wreck but instead because this could be the be the beginning of a return to the roots by NASCAR and the teams competing in it.  Sure, it’s easy to be the best with unlimited money but what happens when you suddenly have a budget to contend with.  Whereas this is new for a lot of teams, there are some smaller teams that are no strangers to struggling to survive.  It’s in this environment where you may see some of these teams excel. 

I can’t help thinking of the Wood Brothers or even Petty Enterprises and how they are prepared to do better in this environment of having less.  This is indeed a new era in NASCAR racing.  Shoot, we may even start seeing hometown garages on the hoods of cars before it’s over.  Yes boys and girls, this may be what returns NASCAR back to the hands of the people who started it.  Without rockstar salaries, who’s going to want to be a driver except those who truly love the sport?

With that said, I am actually very excited to see what NASCAR looks like during Speedweeks and the months to follow.  I am looking forward to writing about this transformation as well here.

The RacingFaces podcast will be happening.  We are actually planning to produce an introductory episode this weekend with the first regular episode starting with the first week of 2009.  The podcast will be an extension of the blog with an opportunity for more news and interviews.  We’re going to do some prizes so be sure to listen as we’ve already got some really nice prizes lined up courtesy of Sprint and Toyota!

       CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 22, 2008) – One lucky fan is guaranteed to have
an unforgettable experience on Friday night, Oct. 10, at Lowe’s Motor
Speedway when they drive away in a brand new 2008 Toyota Tundra following
the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
       “This is just another way Lowe’s Motor Speedway is setting the
standard in putting fans first,” said Marcus Smith, president and general
manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “The Dollar General 300 is a great event
and for one lucky fan, that evening is going to be even more memorable.”
       The contest winner will be presented the keys to the Tundra prior to
the start of the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The truck,
donated by Braun Racing and Great Clips, is a red, 2008 Toyota Tundra
regular cab with a 5.7-liter V8 and 18-inch steel wheels.
       Fans can enter the contest in one of three ways before 11:59 p.m. on
Oct. 7 by purchasing or having purchased a ticket to the Dollar General 300;
by completing an entry form available at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway ticket
office; or by completing an entry form online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
Contestants must be present on Oct. 10 to win. Contest details are available
at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
       Tickets for the Dollar General 300 on Friday evening, Oct. 10, start
at $17. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by
calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.