To answer your original question “Why is NASCAR putting their races up against the NFL?” NASCAR has until recent years always run on Sundays. Not sure why, but it’s just been done that way as long as I can remember. I don’t think it was ever a conscious effort on NASCAR’s part to compete directly with the NFL, or any other sport for that matter. In fact, logic would lead me to believe NASCAR would prefer not to compete against any other popular type programming or sporting event as it would erode their TV ratings. With the exception of the Saturday night Bristol, TN race, until a few years ago hardly any races were run on Saturdays. If I recall correctly, someone discovered that many race fans actually preferred, or at least enjoyed, night time races. Racing under the lights accentuated the fiery crashes, the colorful cars, etc., etc. Plus it would bring NASCAR into the “prime time” slot and further NASCAR’s desire to become more popular. However, there were many other reasons to avoid Saturday evening race times. For instance: college football games and the outcry from local track promoters stating that when the big boys (Nextel Cup) ran on Saturday nights, it ate into their local fan draw and thus depleted revenue dollars, etc.
It is well documented on an ESPN sponsored website called “Jayski’s Silly Season Site”
Jayski's® Silly Season Site - Nextel Cup News Page (SmootSmack I believe has mentioned this site before and it is one I’ve read for years) that TV ratings for NASCAR Nextel Cup have slumped. I have said before on the Warpath that I believe there is one major reason NASCAR ratings have slumped and I don’t believe it has anything to do with the NFL and it’s pretty simple: NASCAR has lost it’s identity and has forgotten it’s heritage. In NASCAR’s quest to become more popular and mainstream, it has abandoned some of it’s historic tracks (Rockingham, North Wilksboro, and Darlington for 1 race anyway) for larger market venues such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, etc. This has ripped much of the “personality” from the series and transformed it into a boring parade around prototypical 1-1/2 mile tracks. In addition, with the inception of big corporate dollars for sponsorship, NASCAR has lost its attitude. Drivers, owners, crewmen are no longer allowed to express their emotions in fear of offending someone and creating a backlash to their respective sponsor. It’s just a shame and even though I still watch almost every race, I fast-forward through most of it as it has become more of a chase, and less of an actual race with guys banging into each others doors, fenders, heads, etc.
In response to RobH4413’s comments, I once lived in Annapolis, MD and I am quite familiar with “Fredneck” Maryland! Beautiful rolling countryside among other things. But per your comment about ESPN doing more to educate the new, or casual, race fan, I believe not only has ESPN done a great job at doing just that, the other networks have done an excellent job as well. Have you not seen the “cut-away” car or engine? I think that you’ve “failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport” due to some of the reasons I stated above. Those were some of the things that drew me to NASCAR very many years ago and it is the lack of “personality” that’s got me switching the channel to the Lions vs. Cardinals game (ugh!). Yet another reason to love the DVR: Just record the NASCAR race, regardless of whether its on Saturday or Sunday, you can watch it whenever you wish. I typically watch the race after the ‘Skins game anyway and I can jet past all the commercials. What’s not to like?
Finally, jsarno and SmootSmack, I will ALWAYS be glad to join you in discussions about NASCAR. Even though I’ve stated a waning interest, I’ll always keep the pulse on my second favorite sport…Keep It Coming Guys. (Sorry for the long post!)