USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) during the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) during the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Road Courses are a hit or miss with NASCAR fans. Some fans really enjoy them and find them a change of pace, pun intended. Others think NASCAR is a series made for Oval track racing. Of course, both the opinions are very valid, but one thing we can say for sure is that Road Courses do indeed perform well.
Now, there might be something big coming from the City of Chicago for all fans of road courses.
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) reacts after winning the KWIK TRIP 250 with driver Kyle Larson (5) at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Athletic announced that The City of Chicago is endorsing a race in the streets of Chicago. Moreover, this race will run for a stretch of three years, with the first race happening in 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Naturally, the fans had some things to say about this news. Though, some really appreciated the new race, others might not feel the same.
I speak for everyone when I say this. We don’t want the chicago street course. We want Chicagoland n
— Hero (@iHeroCL) July 6, 2022
Well you didn’t speak for everyone since that is not i would say. I would give the street course a shot and see how it races. We’ve never seen nascar cup cars race on the streets so why not give it a try!
— Kyle Cameron (@KyleCam53449881) July 6, 2022
We have gotten burned by multi-year deals, we don’t need another.
I am strongly against a street course race, especially in Chicago which we know is not a good city to be in, in the first place.
If we have to do this once to get it out of our system, then it is what it is.
— Brett (@BT4452) July 6, 2022
Hard pass from a fan of NASCAR for over 30 years. I’m 35 and a key demographic for what NASCAR should focus on when the average age of a fan is my parents age. No thanks to a street race. Figure out next gen car on a short track first and give me more of NASCAR’s roots
— Matt May (@matty_may757) July 6, 2022
I've supported NASCAR for over 40 plus years. Not in favor of a "street" race. I hate to say this against NASCAR their losing a lot of fans in the circle I'm in.
— Teresa (@tatwh59) July 6, 2022
Y'all complaining but you've never seen the Pinty Series Race at a Street Course https://t.co/JBaYrNJ3hG
— ChampionPlayz (@playz_champion) July 6, 2022
So, what do you think about the street circuit? Is it a good idea? Or, does it take away from the NASCAR spirit? Let us know in the comments.
What Could Be Causing NASCAR To Introduce More Non-Oval Tracks?
The 2022 calendar has six road courses. And with the new revelation, we might add another. But why does NASCAR continue to introduce more despite the poor feedback?
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) during the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
One big possibility could be to attract a younger audience. Especially, since Formula one, a motorsport with no Oval tracks at all, performed better among the younger audience.
Motorsports on Sunday:
1) NASCAR (Road America, USA Network): 1.15 rating, 1.930 million viewers
2) F1 (Silverstone, ESPN2): 0.64 rating, 1.239 million viewers
3) IndyCar (Mid-Ohio, NBC): 0.57 rating, 877,000 viewers
🔲 F1 had the most viewers in the 18-49 category with 643K. pic.twitter.com/3hxHyJQjLO
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 6, 2022
Moreover, Road America, a road course race, was the second most viewed sporting event this weekend.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sunday marked the first NASCAR Cup race this season on @USA_Network, and viewership was down sharply from last year's event on @NBC (1.930 million Sunday versus 3.078 million last year).
🔲 Still, Road America was the second most-viewed sport event of the weekend after @WWE. pic.twitter.com/ZSlo6d4MEo
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 6, 2022
Watch This Story: Daniel Suarez’s NASCAR Win Completes the Class of 2012
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In the end, NASCAR is an organization, and it will do whatever it needs to gain more popularity. But, as a fan , what do you think about the new change? Let us know in the comments.
