NASCAR - A Sport With a Fanbase Before it Was a Sport
By Matt J Ryan
What eventually became the National Association of Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) began as races in the neighborhood streets of Daytona Beach, Florida circa 1900. Even then, it had fans. William France, Sr., a mechanic from Washington, D.C., had heard of these races, and moved to the area in 1935 to join the fun. By 1936 he placed fifth in a local race, but was starting to become more interested in organizing the sport than in participating directly. He knew the sport was beginning to draw a fan base, and he felt that the drivers were often getting mistreated by their promoters, who simply chose not to pay them. He was part of a meeting whose notes were taken on a napkin from the Ebony Bar in the Streamline Hotel, Daytona Beach. From that meeting NASCAR was soon born.
Since its inception in 1948, NASCAR has grown, involving itself in various types of racing in various locations across the country. Likely a portion of NASCAR's incredible success has been its versatile ticketing system. Not only does a fan with a NASCAR ticket have access to the largest stock car race in the country, that fan also gets to have fun at a national racing series, of which there are three: the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series, and the Craftsmen Truck Series. That same ticket also allows access to regional fun, such as the Whelen All-American Series (amateur auto racing); the Whelen Modified Tour (NASCAR modified division); and the NASCAR Local Racing (four geographic series).
NASCAR - MADE IN THE USA
NASCAR has come a long way from the neighborhood streets of Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently, it's broadcast from over 150 countries around the world, and has begun engaging in exhibition races. They've taken place in two countries so far: Japan and Australia. Further, based in large part to NASCAR's loyal and spending fans, who purchased approximately three billion dollars worth of merchandise and tickets last year, its popularity drove it into the second most watched TV sports show ever last year, right behind the National Football League. NASCAR appears loyal to the old U. S. of A., however. The fans have nothing to worry about for the time being, at least. Despite its phenomenal growth, and expansion into new markets, NASCAR's home base of operations remains Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. It has placed offices in two international cities, but twice as many in North Carolina, and it doesn't appear to be looking to pick up roots any time soon.
NASCAR: AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE
It would appear that everyone agrees: You have to watch a NASCAR race at the track. And it also seems that everyone knows why: the fans. There is nothing, nobody, nowhere like a NASCAR fan. They are loyal, and they are sincere. They literally make the experience what it is all about. They believe in their sport, and they believe in watching it together. To the fan, NASCAR is a way of life.
Because of those fans, there's electricity to a race. There's a charge in the air. Armed with beers and hot dogs for all, a NASCAR fan will have goose bumps on a sunny 90 degree day. This day has been waited on for an entire year. Nobody and nothing could or would stand between a NASCAR fan and her ticket.
Are you a REAL fan, or just a wanna-be fan? Are you ready to take the leap and truly to commit to the frenzy and the energy that is NASCAR?! If so, February 12, 2009 is just around the corner. NASCAR will be in Daytona Beach on that day. Do you call yourself a fan? Do you like the races, know the drivers, and think about what it might be like to be there? Then you're not a real, true blue fan. Don't wonder - experience! Buy those tickets, and buy them now! The real fans already have them, and trust me, they don't share.
Because you can bet that all the REAL fans will be where the action is. In fact, you can bet that most of the REAL fans have already purchased their tickets. They'll be watching the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide, or the Craftsmen Truck - whichever one they want. Because they'll have the ticket! It's the ONLY way to see it ALL!
So you'd better hurry, before you miss your chance to be where the rest of the REAL fans are - at Daytona Beach on February 12th. Be a REAL fan, and watch the race the only REAL way! Buy a ticket, and buy it NOW! Be ready to have REAL fun!
By Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass. StubPass sells NASCAR Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world.
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