This year’s NASCAR race will be held on August 9th at Rockford Speedway in Illinois.
The track opened in 1952 and originally hosted NASCAR’s premier race, the Knoxville World 600, in February of that year. The race was moved to the fall to accommodate the increasing popularity of the sport, and has since then been held in the fall every year. In 1973, the track was again changed, this time to a July/August schedule, due to the cooling effect the hot, Indian summer months have on the track. This was a success and has remained the race’s unofficial schedule ever since.
In recent years, the popularity of the sport has risen dramatically and attendance at the track has increased by more than 50% since 2006.
With the influx of new fans, especially young people, NASCAR has recognized the importance of marketing their sport to the millennial generation and are ensuring that the 2018 season is as engaging as possible. This is being done by creating content that is more accessible to the younger audience.
The 2018 season will mark the 100th anniversary of the Knoxville World 600, and the entire month of August will be spent celebrating the sport’s history at Rockford.
Knoxville is one of the most historic cities in Tennessee, and the location of the Knoxville World 600 has made it an important city in motorsports history. The August 9th race at Rockford will be a great way to mark this important event.
The Men In Black
One of the changes that NASCAR has made for the 2018 season is the switch to designated drivers. One of the biggest concerns about going to a race without a dedicated driver is the safety of the fans and the drivers. This is why NASCAR has implemented a strict no-ride policy; anyone found to be transporting passengers in their car will be disqualified from the race. This is a great safety measure and will greatly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities at the track. The Men In Black, the organization that patrols the race track during NASCAR events, will also be working to ensure that dangerous driving is kept to a minimum.
Carrying Capacity
While the primary focus of this policy is to keep people safe, it also has the side effect of raising the carrying capacity of the race track. Due to the restrictions on who can ride with whom, more people are able to attend sporting events than ever before. In fact, the restrictions on who can attend a race have actually made the sport more appealing — fewer people can guarantee their tickets than ever before. The increased attendance has resulted in greater demand and higher prices for the t-shirts, hats, and other memorabilia that are available for sale at the track. It’s also led to greater diversity in the sport — more people of color are now attending races and engaging with the sport than ever before. The designated driver policy has made the sport more accessible to people of all backgrounds and has resulted in a greater inclusivity that has benefited all parties involved.
Attendance And Pricing
The attendance and pricing at the track have also taken a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average attendance at a race has fallen by more than 40% since the start of the year, with some tracks seeing a decline of more than 60%. The decrease in attendance has directly corresponded with the increase in restrictions that were put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The policy changes caused a significant decline in the number of people who could attend a NASCAR race. If attendance continues to decline, it could impact the future of professional motorsports in North America. Fortunately, the decline has not been as severe as feared and while people may still be intimidated by the restrictions, the number of attendees at the track has bounced back.
The increase in restrictions has also significantly affected the pricing structures for the sport. Due to the lack of demand as fewer people are able to attend the races, the supply surge that resulted from the increased demand has caused prices to increase. This has resulted in increased pressure on the drivers and teams as they seek to make a profit while also covering their costs. Some drivers have resorted to profiting off of stock car rides for children in exchange for driving them around the track.
Final Takeaway
While the changes that NASCAR has made in response to COVID-19 have not been ideal, they have resulted in a safer sport for everyone involved. This is largely due to the hard work of the drivers, crewmembers, and owners who work collaboratively to ensure the safety of the fans, participants, and anyone else who happens to be at the track. It is essential that all parties work closely together in order to ensure the best possible results during this time.