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Help me out with this question please.

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by TheBigEasy, Jun 11, 2007.

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  1. TheBigEasy

    TheBigEasy F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jun 21, 2005
    18,672
    California
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    Ethan Hunt
    #1 TheBigEasy, Jun 11, 2007
    For my "required" Contemporary American Culture class this summer session I had to pick a discussion topic to make a 8-10 minute presentation on... off the list I picked this one:

    "Discuss and explain the increased popularity of NASCAR and it's place in American culture. Do you agree with Robert's that NASCAR is a "red-state" sport? Explain with examples. Both Spann and Roberts discuss the issue of race and NASCAR. Why do they consider this an interesting topic for academic study and editorial commentary? Can any of their observations be extrapolated to other sports?"

    I know that here on F-Chat there are both fans of NASCAR and those that despise it.... to me it's always been "redneck racing". Any thoughts to get me started? :)
     
  2. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
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    Bocahuahua, Florxico
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    Tone Def
    #2 RP, Jun 11, 2007

    NASCAR is the best marketing machine in the USA. Fans can identify with the cars, and the drivers. It used to be a southern sport, but now it has expanded to reach most every part of the country. Every NASCAR fan that I know is originally from the north, college educated, senior management. Only one is from the south. I just do not think you can call NASCAR a southern sport any more.

    I like, or used to like, NASCAR. The lack of identity of the cars is disconcerting. If it were not for the colors and sponsors, I would not know the difference. Wait, I think I just described the F1 cars, they all look sort of the same, and unless I buy Autosport and look at the diagrams, they all actually look the same. Thank God Ferraris are red.

    My point is, racing is racing is racing. I like most of it. But mostly F1 and NASCAR. F1 for the beauty, NASCAR for the side-by-side competition.
     
  3. stever

    stever F1 Rookie
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    Apr 18, 2006
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    Steve R
    #3 stever, Jun 12, 2007
    As Ron said NASCAR is a marketing machine. However, the races on TV are watched by something in the high single digit/low double digit percentages of homes. It would seem that NASCAR's pervasiveness exceeds it's true influence.

    Like a lot of pop culture, NASCAR is a 'legend in their own mind'.....people don't think for themselves anymore, but rely on media influence to shape their thoughts and actions.
     
  4. bennett

    bennett Formula Junior

    Oct 14, 2004
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    Bennett
    #4 bennett, Jun 12, 2007
    While it's true that NASCAR has reached the corners of our country, I would still say that NASCAR is a southern sport, at the very least heavily reliant and influenced. Where do all the drivers live? Where are all the team facilities? Where is the NASCAR headquarters? For the most part, NASCAR is based in the South. Which is ironic because some of the best races are in California/ Connecticut/ etc.
    Take the South out of NASCAR and all of a sudden FOX is showing movies again on Sunday afternoons.
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Bubba
    #5 BigTex, Jun 12, 2007
    Texas Monthly covered NASCAR in an article recently, check that out...

    Then JRV made an eloquent response to the article in the Roar of The Crowd letters to the editor section......

    Then he died......

    I'll find his letter and post it up later, it was great!

    Valeria found it and showed it to me......
     

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