How NASCAR got "famous"

Since its founding in 1949, NASCAR went from a stereotypical racing series (with stereotypes too match) too a cultural hit and one of the "big 4" sports entertainment in America (the other being, handegg, hockey, basket ball and baseball.) However its raise too fame isn't because of the cars, drivers or the racing itself. 2 races with 2 incidents help make NASCAR "famous."

The first race is the 1979 500. A perfect storm of circumstances let the entire East Coast of the US see the race. CBS did a pro job with the coverage of the race and race itself was great. (1984 Talladega 500 is most likely the best NASCAR race ever run). But it is more known for NOT Richard Petty winning his 7th Daytona 500 but more for a fight after the race. Starts with Cale Yarbourgh and Donnie Allison wrecking either on the final lap. (Lets face it, anyone worth their salt would have done what either Cale or Donnie did coming too the checkered flag.) Both were mad and they had a right too be mad. Donnies brother Bobby stopped too give brother a ride back too the garage area. But Cale being who he was, picked a fight with Bobby (Donnie had nothing too do with it, was just standing there). Both were fined 6,000$ for their wrestling match. The Frances got what they wanted. A great race and controversy (the whole race itself was one due too the weather and the politics going on behind the scenes). But isn't that what NASCAR is best known for? Controversy? The race most known for its wrestling match then who actually won.

The second one was the 2001 Daytona 500. NASCAR has just gotten a big fat TV contract with FOX too broadcast their races (And dumped ESPN in the process, which they weren't happy about. They'd repay the favor 6 years later by treating NASCAR like shit). By this point in NASCARs existence it was going up. From it was in 1979 too 2001 was a big difference. The race was sold out and millions of eye balls were on the race. Racing was great with the new aero pack (which punch a bigger whole in the air and created a lot of drag) but no one could get away from one another. A large crash would lead a red flag period. When the race restarted and after crossing the 10 lap too go mark Michael Waltrip was leading, Dale Jr. was 2nd followed by his dad in 3rd. (In my opinion both Junior and Senior were more then happy too push Waltrip home). Many guys tried their damnest too get by Senior, Sterling Marlin just about wreck'ed him twice. But he blocked every move. On the last lap Waltrip and Junior were safely in front of the group behind them. Senior was doing his damnest too keep it that way. Well i'll stop here because most of us would know what happened next.

After that NASCARs popularity went through the roof. Was giving a lot of labels that hurt sports credibility. But you know what? Bill France Jr. cashed in. Despite 3 guys before that (Tony Roper, Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin) died of the same injuries Senior died from. (Lets also not cherry pick it, Dale Sr. didn't wear the HANS device or as he would put it "That damn noose.") Yet Bill Jr. swiped those 3 guys under the rug as fast as possible but when Senior passed "oh shit we gotta do something NOT EVER AGAIN!!!!!" Hypocrite much?

He may have given his son the reigns on 2003 but he setup his son too fail. Even though he gave his son the idea for The Chase, going after non-racing fans with gimmicks. There was no way in hell that NASCAR would have kept the upward trend for long (2008 is about the last year NASCAR was going up). Once people figured out it wasn't "death defying" and not seeing some one die, they started leaving in droves. NASCAR is now returning too Earth after going after the NFL (which it could have over taken).

People are blaming only a few factors (Brian France mostly) but I personally blame the fans themselves (fans aren't blameless. They aren't), Bill France Jr and TV networks. The laundry list of things fans have is long so i'm not going too bother. TV network really have no clue HOW too cover a race anymore. NASCAR itself could do a better job. CBS did a great job with the 1979 Daytona 500 and they only had a fraction of what TV networks have now. And then Bill France Jr. whom helped screw Tim Richmond (He help screw himself by lying about his condition), would sweep driver deaths under the rug as fast as possible and gave Brian the idea for The Chase. And he cashed in too boot. Greed is a strange mistress.

Now where would NASCAR be if Senior didn't pass on? Well Brian would still be running it (BS on Bill Jr. saying he wouldn't have given his son the reigns when he created The Chase. Gave your son the idea asshole.) NASCAR would most likely be on the bottom end of the Big 4 sports in America. Certain things like the Gen 5 (which was already in the works when Senior passed on. It would have come but a lot later). The RTA wouldn't be here (thank you Michael Waltrip for bring in Rob Kauffman too come in too save your worthless ass), there would be a lot more teams (but teams come and teams go.) The rest is rather subjective in my opinion. The "gimmicks" would still be there but you'd have too look. But Senior would most likely not be racing, remember reading if he had some how survived his injuries were very bad. Minus what killed him.

NASCARs "fame" was mostly luck and it had nothing too do with the on-track product, drivers or cars (which is the base of what makes NASCAR interesting. Racing is as good as it ever has been, drivers are talented, marketable and young. The cars have NASA level smart people working on them too make them go fast.) "Better too be lucky then good" as the saying goes. But NASCAR before the 1979 Daytona 500 or the 2001 Daytona 500 still had problems. It wasn't has peachy as everyone likes too think it was.

Mileage will vary heavy on this. May have too change your tires once or twice. Perhaps a oil change or two as well.