As Long As There Is Racing: Sponsorship Shuffle; Prospect Punch


In the scores of days that I have been an enthusiast of Stock Car Racing I have seen many a name come and go,, drivers, teams, owners, as well as Sponsors. With all the attention on the state of the economy and its influence on racing in all areas including such things as to who, where, and when, leaves all inclined to their individual ever expanding imaginations,, for some,, it is a dream,, for others,, a Nightmare. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!


The reports of the names abandoning the sport is leaving most with doubts that the positions they leave will be filled or just be filed under the “Lost and Not Found” categorizer. Will some unidentified name be on familiar terms with the Golden Opportunity to get their feet in a door that some have been trying to enter for decades if not longer? Some big name, known on a national level, will probably see the light and reach for their chance at the Golden Ring if they have the ability to see what others see,, if they see that now is the time to not only get involved but to stay within with a long term deal,, if they see the well known information concerning NASCAR being Number One in Fan/Brand Based Loyalty and is the second largest sporting attraction in today’s Television Audiences as well as at live venues,, if they can take of the blinders,, look full speed ahead,, they will see that the Sale Prices are there if they act now,,, every big name on Wall Street is buying up what others are selling at huge discount prices,, them there Rich Folks,, well they didn’t get all wealthy by being feared,, If the prospective guarantor can somehow not let themselves become one of the many businesses that have become Victim Of Changes!


I see one other opportunity that hopefully will come into play,, a scenario that would be fun to see as well as fun for some unknown few,,, In general the shrinking available spots into 2009 leaves NASCAR with 38 authorized cohorts, collectively with the four vehicle producers, bout 10 less than three years ago according to the article here on “NASCAR.COM”: http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/business/12/22/official.sponsors/index.html. At last glance there are 43 spots for qualifying,, and there are now just not enough teams to fill every spot if they themselves can qualify,, if they do,, the race still has a few spots,, possibly for smaller locally owned and operated businesses to place their names on a automobile and see if the driver they chose can qualify,, right alongside the bigger already established names in the sport,,, Now that is of course if they all can qual,, if all (fill in number of sponsored drivers here) can,, great,, if not,, then by some chance the smaller fellers attempting to qual do,, then it does a couple of things,,, Come On Baby Light My Fire!


Verse One; Most of today’s drivers/teams have not had to worry about not being On Track,, not like the “Old Timers” did,, back then,, there were many drivers at every race trying desperately to somehow qualify against teams that had way more funding and everything that come with it,, some of them there Small Teams made it,, it was their “Day To Be King”, eventually becoming a huge part of the sport and its history,, , while others tried, failed,, but were happy to get the chance,, just to be out there,, on the same track getting the same coverage as them big fellers,, For them as well as now,, for the ones who, like I said, can See,, it was and can be their Five Minute of Fame and Fortune!


Verse Two; It can be a totally different way of thought for those drivers who are already known,, it can be a situation that can light a fire in a driver’s seat, a fire that aficionados of today have not seen,, they have not had to,, the drivers or teams that is,, they did not have to think of whose name was going to placed on their hoods,, it was a “Given”,, there were so many names available that they had their pick of the litter,, they now are in a different seat than they have ever been in,, a saddle that is not familiar or even recognizable at all,, they have to, for the first time, “Prove Themselves Worthy” to the businesses that are looking for a hood to place their names or logos,, today’s market means they will be examining every aspect of every single advertising opportunity that they have come their way,, they will look,, relook,, then and only then will they chose the car, as well as the driver to place their name,, I can just see it,, a complete cluster of marketing/advertising personnel at them there conglomerates getting real apprehensive about every decision they make,, I think they know that some other feller where they work,, well they are looking for them to stumble, so they may rise at their go round,, who knows,, if they ain’t much on racing,, they might just decide to move the corporations funding to some other known source of recognition,, Run Run Run Away!


Let’s face it,, there are people out there that like things other than NASCAR,, I know,, I know,, it is Hard to Believe,, Had to do some thinking over that one myself, still ain’t got that all figured out but, the fact still remains that there are,, they like things like Football,, Basketball,, other stuff too but I ain’t remembering all of um,, but you can best bet all the paycheck that them there fellers in them there big offices making all them choices do,, they know all too well,, and with all them there sports looking for new potential sponsor deals too,, well some drivers have a right to be nervous,, but,, so do we cause if them there dollars go away,, it ain’t gonna be real pretty for none of us,, driver, team, owner or fan but,, I know that racing will go on forever, as long as there are men or women with Proud Egos,, Proud enough to not admit defeat there will be racing,, Racing cars, or on feet,, they,, them there Arrogantly Egotistical Self Centered Attention Adrenalin Junkies we all love so much and follow every race, year after year, good or not,, don’t care,, there will be racing,, Let the Good Times Roll


Stock Car Automobile Racing in the southern region of the USA became what it is today for the most part due to Moonshining,, in the Great Depression Years as well as the Prohibition Era the moonshiners of the day did it earn a decent earning,, times were rough back at that time,, real hard-hitting,, some say it is gonna get that way again,, I ain’t right sure on all that,, I ain’t no Stock Forecaster,, I am a Stock Car Fan,, but I know that NASCAR, even in this here “Tough Time” will be just as it was,, okay, maybe in a form some are not familiar with,, yes some growing pains will be expected,, time has a way of doing that to things,, Some things that transform what we know now as NASCAR just might revolutionize the complete goings-on,, the Newness will in due course be ancient history and established as the standard,, who knows for sure,, I know a couple of things that are “In No Doubt” in life,, some,, are better left for a different redistribution or round-table,, some are capable to be discussed,, I know that NASCAR, like Rodeo, is in my blood,, it (that there Love) will be there no matter whose name is on a car or whose butt is sitting in the seat,, I will always Love Racing,, I will be one of those fans who stays put and will be Riding the Storm Out


Don’t be a misunderstanding my meaning,, I am saddened by the fact that Petty Racing will probably be coming to an end,, perhaps then if what they say is true,, he will fit the maxim,, for everyone knows that “Heroes are Remembered, but Legends Never Die” , Three Cheers for the King; Long Live King Richard! Long Live The King! Long Live King Richard! I guess if what I am a hearing is right,, there will be other changes too,, others that will have some Up In Arms,, I can recount the mind-set,, but we all know that Mr. France, Mr. Helton, as well as a host of other NASCAR “In The Knows” are working to insure the sport’s survival in times when no one even thinks that the manufacturers of today will be here when the lights go on,, but then again,, even if them there fellers had to build their own cars from scratch,, we would still have racing,, but,, that,, I reckon,, ain’t one of them there things a feller needs to be a worrying about none,, that ain’t likely to b a happening any time soon,, SO,, Here’s to you,, my Brothers In Arms


As Always and Forever, I Will Be


Keeping the Faith