NASCAR

By Nate Ryan
USA TODAY

NASCAR's popularity might have reached a plateau. As its top-tier Nextel Cup series nears the end of its first network TV contract, there are signs fan interest is lagging and a 15-year period of growth is sputtering.

Tracks don't release figures, but estimates from NASCAR reports show crowds have decreased in a third of the races this season. Fewer than half the Cup races were sellouts, and that includes two at the 92,000-seat grandstand of California Speedway east of Los Angeles, NASCAR's largest market.

The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 6 drew a crowd estimated by The Indianapolis Star at 240,000 — about 20,000 shy of capacity at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the smallest turnout in 13 seasons at the track that ranks in prestige on the Cup circuit behind only Daytona International Speedway.


Well, don't that beat all. Seems the well has dried up as far as the watching cars drive in circles crowd go. With the advent of the latest technologies and um...yes, those pesky RULES, even crashes are down year over year.

Promise a fiery death, a few spectacular crashes a season and throngs will return to the track and tv faster than a sunday-go-to-meetin' preacher will drop his pants for a male crack whore.