What's everybody's thoughts on this?

Question

In NASCAR races, the fan base is primarily caucasian, and not African American, Asian American, etc. Why is that? Most sports have a more diverse fan base. Thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, I think it's partly because of NASCARs beginnings... You see NASCAR primarily started in the south way back when because a bunch of good ole moonshine running boys wanted to see who had the fastest car. In later years it developed into a sport but was primarily based down south for many years. Now I am not saying anything bad towards southern people but for a long time, prejudice was predominant. Many more african americans, asians etc have become NASCAR fans and there is currently even an african american driver.
Now I could send you David Lettermans reasons for this but its a bit prejudice....

Answer 2

First let me answer the thought on it being an alcohol running thing. In a way it is somewhat true. Back in the days it is kind of how it got started. Let's quote Richard Petty for a second. When asked when racing got started he simply stated "when they built the second car."
A lot of the driver's back in the day were moonshine runners. It did not get started b/c of the alcohol, but it did get started with these people in it. They used to outrun the feds and sometimes even each other.. so someone saw something about it, and banked on it. Nascar was not the original stock car motorsport, but has become the dominate and became the goerning body of it way back when. It started off in backwoods southern towns where someone saw two cars and put them up against each other. The sport grew, and more and more people got into it and Bill France came long and wanted to have a whole circuit to in a sense run. It's a long history to explain, but that's the gist of it.

Now, as for why the fan base is primarily caucasian..who really knows? I mean, sure most of the driver's are white, but that doesn't mean other ethnicities couldn't watch it. I think it comes down to most of the fans have grown up around the sport. I mean, it is a southern bred sport (and I"m not being racist, but who dominated those southern states??) African Americans wouldn't have been able to really watch it if they had wanted to Now, that is obviously how the early whit domination of the sport got started. I mean early. Back when this sport started Those fans have helped the sport to grow to such an intensity that it reaches EVERYONE now. So now it's just a matter of who flips the chanell and gets hooked to it. As to why there isn't the diversity.. I couldn't begin to tell you. I mean, I have heard some other ethnicities complain that a driver of their ethnicity are not involved, and they don't want to watch it if they can't relate to someone. I don't get it, I dont' understand, and I really don't think there is one specific reason for it. I mean it can even boil down to things like a lot of people have leanred to love the sport b/c it's what they grew up with and so it's been passed down through the generations. New people do catch the sport, but a lot of times it sparks interest from someone else you know watching the sport. Like I said it really can't be pinned on one specific reason, and I don't think it's really that big of a deal. I mean, if people want to watch the sport they can, and if they don't..they don't have to. It really doesn't matter who likes what or why.. just that people are out doing what they enjoy, and if African Americans or Asians or so on don't enjoy Nascar than they don't have to watch it, and if caucasions do..they they can. I think Kyle (above answerer) hit on a few things too..

Answer 3

I think there are probably many reasons.I guess you might start with the fact that practically all of the participants are Caucasian as well as the team owners with only a few exceptions,also I think economic reasons may also factor in after all a weekend at the races comes with a pretty hefty dollar commitment.Also a factor might be that other ethnic groups may be intimidated by the urban legend that all Nascar fan's are rednecks (actually a small percent are rednecks) mostly they are passed out in the infield or campgrounds.Nascar is definitely aware
of this and is working hard to bring in minorities and women drivers. Hopefully in just a couple of years Nascar will have this worked out so that it's a non issue.

Answer 4

I think that Nascar was a form of running alcohol back in the early 1900's and that's where the sport derived from. This in point, means there were not many drivers of the other races except White(Caucasian). It is known as the good ol' boy sport....Personally I think Nascar is a waste of gas :).....

Answer 5

I think 10 guys running up and down a gym floor with a round ball is pretty stupid too. No, not really. To each his own. If NASCAR is such a red neck sport, why is corporate America pumping millions and millions of $$$ into EACH team every year? Why do the major networks sign billion-dollar contracts for broadcast rights to NASCAR? True rednecks wouldn't have the money to spend to buy their products, except maybe beer and liquor. While there are few minorities competing in Nextel Cup, there was one black who competed for many years and did win a race. Try googling "Wendell Scott" and read up on him. And the last time I checked, the NHL wasn't exactly a melting pot either. My point is this: if you think NASCAR sucks and/or is a waste of gas, no one's holding a gun to your head- don't watch it.

Answer 6

MMMMM.....8 basketball players......15 soccer players.... 50 football players or move 43 RACE TEAMS to and through 50 different countries...whats easier to do(cheaper).....Nascar and Auto racing is popular in almost every country BUT Africa...and THAT'S because there just too poor ...This is why Nascar was going over to JAPAN until about 2 years ago....and F1 covers alot of the other countries ...I think its more international fan based than you think...Busch race in Mexico this year....only really one race that doesnt take to it...

Answer 7

Because NASCAR sucks? I can't blame anyone for not wanting to watch a bunch of people wasting gas while driving in a circle.

Answer 8

Maybe nascar does suck.
http://www.amithefox.com/view/gina.html

Answer 9

I think that Nascar suffers from reverse racism. If redneck isn't a racist remark, I don't know what is.

Answer 10

It takes a true red neck to appreciate driving around in a circle for two hours!