NASCAR's Sonic Boom

It is possible that a stock car can produce the sonic boom of traveling faster than the sound barrier? It happened yesterday in Mexico City in a NASCAR race. Don't believe me? Check the facts:

• NASCAR's newest big addition to its driver stable is Juan Pablo Montoya.

• ESPN broadcast the race entirely in Spanish with their ESPN Deportes crew. The English version was available on ESPN2!

• Montoya wins the race in an exciting green-white-checkered finish making him the first Hispanic driver to win a NASCAR race.

• 43 million Latinos living in this country have a new reason to watch NASCAR races and of course buy millions of dollars of NASCAR products.

• The international stamp of approval happened the moment number 42 crossed that finish line and millions of fans beyond the borders of this country found a new reason to follow NASCAR

You sure you didn't hear the sound of that sonic shift? Not only has NASCAR broken free from its roots of backwoods southern bootleggers, they are setting the trend for sports to follow as the fastest growing spectator sport in America. In fact, they are demonstrating to American business, how to run a business.

Cheat no more

NASCAR has always winked at those trying to take advantage of the rules as their forefathers did in outrunning the law. The outlaw persona was emphatically put to rest at this year's Daytona 500 with suspensions, harsh fines and taking away the previous sacred cow points from team owners. That was the first big shock wave NASCAR sent through its system this year that says we are not the good ole boys anymore. NASCAR wants to be taken seriously as a big boy sport, and challenging their heritage makes that statement.

In your business, what are the things you routinely let slide, because well, that's just how things are? If you want to be taken seriously as an elite player in your industry, you need to review work habits and practices you shake your head at be do nothing about.

Let go -- especially when its hard to do

Years ago NASCAR made a choice to move out of the southern short track business and use venues across the country that were speedways. Rockingham and North Wilkesboro were mothballed as far as NASCAR races, and the Lady in Black, Darlington Motor Speedway home of the Southern 500 on Labor Day for decades lost the Labor Day race.

The old guard fans of NASCAR screamed at these changes and NASCAR jeopardized losing their long-term fan base in an effort to grow and attract new fans. This was a huge gamble many thought was a bad move. Needless to say, they made the right moves and NASCAR would not be the force they are today had they not made those changes years ago.

What are the "traditions" you are sitting with that are holding you back from a surging new marketplace? What are the fears keeping you from making those changes? Letting go can be difficult, especially when you are wed to those traditions and fight creating change and taking risk. Playing it safe is the riskiest move a leader can make, and taking risks, is the safest bet for continues success.

From the mountains of North Carolina a legend grew into regional sport. The regional sport grew into a national sport. The national sport grew into a leading sport of growth, financial soundness and excitement. That sport just sonic boomed its way into the international scene and is becoming the model of how to evolve into a juggernaut of power and drive. Ready to take your business racing?

Russell J. White an international speaker, author and consultant is president of Russell J. White International and founder of The Edgewalk Institute. His cutting edge ideas assist businesses in strategic planning, branding, leadership development and growth strategies. He can be reached at http://www.thinkbigguy.com or at 877-275-9468

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How I Became A Nascar Fan

I went to my first NASCAR race about 5 years ago. My fiancée and I live in Los Angeles and go to the Fontana Speedway. Every Sunday, I would watch the race on TV or at least listen to it from the other room. I can't say that at first I was a huge fan, but after a few live races...I was hooked. The crowds were overwhelming and the parking was crazy, but we would arrive hours before the race to scope out a good parking space..which means close to an entrance and preferably backed up to a wall.

Unpacking the truck, setting up and meeting your “neighbors” is great. We usually have a little something to eat and then go check out what their selling from the trailers outside the track. In California, it can be brutally hot in August (like last year – 105 degrees) and it can ruin a good time if you not dressed properly. NASCAR fans are creative at keeping cool – water gun fights, bandannas full of ice on your head, ice cold beer and you can always sneak into the car for a little A/C when you need a refresher.

Then we go scope out where are seats are located, but to be honest, we never stay there for long even after the race has started. If you want to seriously watch a race, it is more easily done from the comfort of your own living room with 15 cameras catching every single angle and commentators reviewing each turn. At the race, even in the best regular seats, you can't see the whole track, but Sony has these big screen TVs outside now, so even when you aren't in the track, you can plop down and watch the race. We love to walk around, people watch, buy cool hats and shirts and then there's always tons of free stuff like seat cushions, ear plugs, magnets, note pads, water. When we get loaded down, we go back to the truck and munch some more. (Don't forget to check out my recipes and tailgating "must have" list.)

The first time I was actually in the grandstands for the beginning of a race and all those gentlemen took their hats off as everyone stood for the “Star Spangled Banner”, a real Stealth Bomber flew overhead, they announced, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” and my whole body started to shake from the roar of the engines ...I realized I had started to cry. (Keep in mind I cry at Prego pasta sauce commercials, but still...I was hooked.) The drama of the drivers, the suspense with every turn, negotiating those beautiful cars at speeds of up to 180 miles an hour and the pride Americans have about NASCAR have made it my sport of choice and I kind of like all the cute guys, too.

Every year we pick a new driver, although we are still big Carl Edwards, Casey Kahne and Dale Jr. fans. This year we have decided to support David Reutimann. He was rookie of the year last year in the Craftsman truck series and will be driving the Toyota 00 car for Michael Waltrip's team. David comes from 3 generations of drivers. I can't remember where I read it, but supposedly he used to sit on the knee of his race car father Buzzie at 3 year old and even then he knew all the drivers, their cars and stats. The word in the garage is that he's a gentleman and this man can drive. I posted his pre-season Daytona Thunder test drive stats for you to see.

Stick with me as I update the blog with fun facts about David Reutimann, his 00 Toyota car which has a split sponsorship between Dominos for the first half of the season and Burger King for the last half and of course, my 2007 NASCAR experience.

I wonder why Burger King didn't get Richard Petty to drive their car. He is “The King” right?

Pamela Saunders has been a freelance writer for 15 years covering mostly restaurants and Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

http://www.nascarracingfans.blogspot.com

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History of Nascar

NASCAR is an acronym and it stands for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. NASCAR was founded in 1948 by William France and Ed Otto. These two men realized that people enjoyed watching car races and that there was need to standardize the racing industry. Their idea was to attract more racers and to make the races equal for all the drivers. The thought was an excellent one because more racers meant an increase in the number of fans who would be willing to pay to watch their favorite drivers.

In the initial years cars racing at NASCAR were stock cars. Stock cars are those cars that are exactly as the manufacturers release them. These cars have had no modifications or changes. However, when accidents started happening, it was agreed to allow modifications to ensure safety and before long there were modifications to increase speed, handling and many others.

Many people who were interested in this type of racing starting creating cars that were exclusively for NASCAR racing. These cars had all the modifications that were allowed by NASCAR. These cars resembled the stocks cars in body only.

Many companies realized the advertising opportunity NASCAR racing gave them. This started the trend of full time drivers, promoters and pit crew. The earliest companies to use the advertising advantage were mostly car manufacturers but the 1970s saw other companies entering the fray to sponsor racers.

NASCAR has several car racing circuits and some of the large events are televised. The number of fans that follow the sport is huge and has accorded star status to many NASCAR drivers. These drivers invariably make a living through racing and endorsing products and companies.

Once William France retired, his two sons, Bill Jr and Jim, assumed control of NASCAR. Bill Jr set the standard by which all motor sports are measured today.

About the writer: Nigel Kerry is an American free lance writer born in Los Angeles, California. Kerry writes Sportsbook reviews, sport book articles and articles with respect to Sports Betting.

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