Lower those prices...or else....

mghtx

2000 Man
Oct 23, 2008
2,368
33
48
So I was over at the yahoo/nascar page looking at the pictures from the atlanta race and.....wow. Those empty seats don't look good.

(The pics are at the bottom of the page.)

Yeah, I know the "cheap" seats sold. And atlanta still had LOTS of people there...but it still looks bad.

(And I also noticed that the Bush brothers like the same thing(s) with women....)

These tracks, and hotels, better take notice.
 

DexterMorgan

Active Member
Oct 22, 2008
1,224
14
38
Edmonton, Alberta
I dont get it about Atlanta. I know its a pretty poor sports town but it never used to be this bad for Nascar. The 2003 spring race was packed. But then again 2003 was the pinacle for this sport in terms of attendence and ratings. (Ironically thats the year Brian France transitioned to CEO from Bill. Go figure)

Phoenix is still asking for 110 bucks a seat and there is no way im going to pay that. In fact just to spite that im going to buy the cheapest ticket and sit where I want anyways.

It seems to me SMI is trying their hardest to lower tickets, create packages and gimmicks to attract fans to their tracks, and NascISC is still trying to run with the same ole deals.
 

DexterMorgan

Active Member
Oct 22, 2008
1,224
14
38
Edmonton, Alberta
"And atlanta still had LOTS of people there...but it still looks bad."

And this is a good point too. And while I know a place like California gets 50,000 people and you can say, it looks bad but thats still alright. But the perception is, "thats not good."

Thats why I dont get why the schedule is the way it is. Look at the crowds you get in the first 5 races when your tv audience is at its highest. Wouldnt you want your top drawing tracks near the beginning of the season when your audience is at its highest as to give the impression this stuff is a big deal? How is a first time watcher who watches Daytona and then tunes into California supposed to be impressed with the crowd or the racing? Wouldnt Vegas be a better 2nd race to show people this is a big deal?
 

riskybzns

Well-Known Member
Oct 11, 2008
2,358
40
48
land of confusion
i just read an article the other day about mlb trimming their prices because even spring training attendence is way down. i recall the article mentioning that some clubs were lowering their cheap seats down to around $7. if i can find the article again i'll post the link.
 

antsie

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2008
1,951
67
48
Can't remember
I don't think it's all about the hotel and track prices. People have been paying those prices for years and the attendance was great. People have lost their jobs or could be on the verge of losing their jobs. Before, I’m sure there were some people that would just spend the money and not think twice about it, but now, people are saving their money or paying for grocery’s, bills or just saving it and not spending it on a race weekend. I'm sure lower prices would be great and those fans that can go get a better deal. I think people are just rethinking their priorities and are saving their money, not spending it, on anything.
 

dpkimmel2001

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2008
2,876
53
48
PA
It is definitely a sign of the times if you can go online and purchase Bristol Motor Speedway Season tickets. They have not been available online for as long as I can remember. In the past there was a waiting list. That was replaced by a lottery system. Right now, I can go online and purchase some of the best seats in the house for both Cup races this year and they are renewable seats.

People that have the money to spend are afraid to do so now with the economic news that is portrayed each and every day on the evening news. I don't think things are going to change until we do.
 

DexterMorgan

Active Member
Oct 22, 2008
1,224
14
38
Edmonton, Alberta
Not at PIR. Not even close. And in the April race there will be a lot of empty seats in the Allison grandstand. Its just a matter of acting like you know where your going.
 

mghtx

2000 Man
Oct 23, 2008
2,368
33
48
Well, I know of some people who have NFL seats and go to races too. Between the two I'd keep my NFL seats and cut nascar.

Thats why I dont get why the schedule is the way it is.

Yeah, whoever thought that putting California after the 500 was a good thing ought to be strung up by the jewels. That is one of the most STUPID ideas ever. If weather is an argument then make Las Vegas the 2nd race. And then maybe Phoenix.
 

dpkimmel2001

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2008
2,876
53
48
PA
Well, I know of some people who have NFL seats and go to races too. Between the two I'd keep my NFL seats and cut nascar.

I have some friends as well that have Steeler season tickets and had to give them up for financial reasons. It's not just NASCAR, I think that all of the sports are taking a hit.

I always compare the price of a NASCAR ticket to tickets for other sporting events that I buy. We go to the occasional Steeler, Pirate, or Penguin game and I never feel that I get the same kind of value out of one of those tickets as I do a NASCAR event. When I go to a NASCAR event, I don't expect my driver to win that race. I hope for it, but I don't expect it. When I leave the track, I still feel that I've seen a good race every time regardless of whether my driver wins or not. The whole NASCAR weekend is an experience that I don't forget. It's not just the time that you sit in the seat watching the race. It's all of the time leading up to that weekend and lasts until you return home the next day or days after the race. Heck, I've been getting ready to go to Bristol since last weekend! When I got to other sporting events that I mentioned, I've got a 50/50 shot of seeing my team win. Well, with the exception of the Pirates. Then it's about 20/80. :rolleyes: When I go to one of those events and my team doesn't win, I leave feeling that I didn't get my moneys worth.
 

mghtx

2000 Man
Oct 23, 2008
2,368
33
48
All good points DP. I agree on the value of nascar events/weekends....but we're race fans! ;)

But a lot of people regard NFL seats as an investment. Especially if you're in a big town with a good team (not Detroit! :p )
 

dpkimmel2001

Well-Known Member
Nov 6, 2008
2,876
53
48
PA
I've been searching some of the tracks web sites that I'd like to go to and I'm finding excellent seats at most all tracks for all races. I am not saying that I am finding them any cheaper, just better seats. I am going to give up my Bristol season tickets after this year and start going to Martinsville again. I was just looking for seats for the fall race and found that the top row is available just past the start/finish line. That's not bad at this point in the season. I only know because I've been looking every year since the last year that I went there. Next season I am going to purchase the season tickets to Martinsville so I can sit high in turn 1/2. The trucks put on a great show there and the price is not bad/seat. Besides, where else could you get a Martinsville Hot dog that good.