Fans hang out in the FanZone during the intermitten rain showers at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Sandi Goodall / Racingal.com

Ok, wow, what a crazy, bizarre week this turned out to be leading up to “Superbowl” of racing, the Daytona 500. Awesome Bud Shootout and Gatorade Duel…happy to see that NASCAR accomplished getting rid of the two-car tandems and saw a lot more pack racing and lead changes. I was also happy to see new drivers win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Rookie John King, and in the Nationwide Series, James Buescher. The weather was cooperative and couldn’t have asked for better racing conditions.

And then Sunday arrived.

Sunday arrived with the clouds and the rain. This is Florida! But since when do we ever have all-day rain events? Usually it’s only during a tropical storm or hurricane. The all-out different weather scenario for the Daytona 500 had arrived. This was the first time the 500 had ever been postponed to a Monday night and also turned out to be the longest – started on Monday and ended early Tuesday morning – lasting two days!! Too bad NASCAR just didn’t schedule the Daytona 500 to be on a Saturday night when they pushed the date back a week this year…. ah, Florida in February… and there have been many rain delays during the Daytona 500, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, really. I know I would rather attend a race under the lights… just adds more excitement!

But NASCAR has to consider the tv ratings and viewer audiences as well. NASCAR makes a lot of money from broadcasting. The FOX network reported 36.5 million viewers watched a portion of the Monday night event, according to fast national ratings from Neilsen Media Research. The most-watched Daytona 500 was in 2006, with 37 million viewers for the NBC telecast. The race averaged 14.1 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, making it Fox’s most-watched Monday night in 16 months, dating back to Game 5 of the 2010 World Series. I had heard they didn’t want to run the Daytona 500 on Sunday night because they would’ve been competing against the Oscars; like I said…it’s hearsay. I know they were very eager and excited about running on Monday night because they wouldn’t have been up against anything on tv… except for maybe Hawaii Five- O. (Love that show!)

One item I would like to touch on is that I am surprised NASCAR doesn’t take the NCWTS and Nationwide Series more under it’s wing with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Why not keep all three series together, having the NCWTS race and qualifying on Thursday or Friday, then have qualifying, NASCAR Nationwide race and NASCAR Sprint Cup race leading into Saturday night? ESPN reported its telecast of the Nationwide Series opener Saturday, which had Danica Patrick on the pole, averaged 4.43 million viewers.

One point is some may think Daytona International Speedway purposely delayed the race so race fans will spend the money on concessions, food and souvenirs. However, from Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona International Speedway, his view is this:

“From a financial impact perspective, you don’t generate any
more revenue on a rain day, all you’re doing is eating up expenses.
I can’t quantify a number other than the fact it’s going to cost us
more to run this event based on having another day of expenses
with no revenue associated with it.”

A majority of the tracks have lights… they should use them. I’m sure the teams would appreciate more time at home to spend time with their loved ones. I bet with more interest and a deeper look into scheduling, something could be worked out to “package” the other series with the Cup series. It would increase tickets sales, bring more attention and awareness to the NCWTS and NNS and help bring in sponsorships. A lot more fans would be willing to buy package deals while souvenir sales would increase as well.

One thing I do know from talking to fans, as well as drivers who try to compete: Keep the big Cup drivers out of the NASCAR Nationwide Series so the less sponsored teams have a chance and can compete on their own level. It’s hard when a team has a $5,000 – $10,000 engine to compete against, say, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. running in the race that may have a $75,000+ motor and top of the line equipment.

Yet, this is strictly my own opinion. I am sure there are fans that would disagree, some fans that might not be interested in the NCWTS or the NNS at times, and fans hat love to see the Cup guys take over and conquer in the NNS.