Sadly, there’s a bit more evidence that everything the Greater Kansas City area embraces usually disappoints.
I never believed that a local community investing millions in a sport based almost completely on cars making left turns was a wise financial decision.
Further, it seems The Great Recession and finicky temperament of discount audiences makes the economic consequences of the Unified Government putting so much faith (and taxpayer funds) in NASCAR seem foolhardy.
Like it or not, NASCAR is losing market share and there’s no guarantee it will ever come back. Of course, this bad news for a struggling sporting event that typically coincides with increased dependence on suckers from The Greater Kansas City Area. Not so coincidentally, the announcement of an added race at the Speedway was played up like a victory in the mainstream media but really only represents a desperate cry for help for its fans who are going broke as well.
First, let’s note that the precipitous drop in NASCAR attendance is not an opinion but a fact that has been politely ignored by local mainstream media. I’m guessing nobody wants to offend the many businesses and politicos who’ve staked their fortunes on the KCK development. But make no mistake, NASCAR is on the downswing. And I wouldn’t be so quick to simply cast all the blame on the economy. There are a great number of local concerts, events and even other sports teams who are still managing to hold onto fans despite the economic downturn.
What makes more sense is that NASCAR’s predominantly white, low income fan base that’s minus a few teeth might be exceptionally hard hit by this current downturn. They might even evoke a bit of sympathy from me for these “sons of the soil” who really aren’t that bad if the reactionary racism in their culture could be overcome.
Optimists always hope the economy will rebound and make everything right, but this downturn for NASCAR might not shift gears quite that easily. Sadly, a great deal of KCK taxpayer money depends on the hope that low income, “down home” people in Kansas City and their kind won’t find a better entertainment option than smelling gas fumes, watching traffic and hoping for a crash.
Tony Botello
Cory
So are you saying that investing taxpayer money in the speedway was a bad idea? Because last I checked without the speedway nothing else would be in the area now known as the Legends and that area would not be the most popular tourist destination in the state of Kansas. So yes, NASCAR is waning from it’s peak of popularity, but the speedway continues to be a good deal for KCK.
MoCrash
We’ll see what happens in October, but one of the main reasons Kansas Speedway got a second date was that its attendance figures have held up at consistently 100,000+ (with seating capacity of 82,000) while others have fallen. NASCAR is indeed struggling with both the economy and its overall popularity, and the reconfigured schedule is one of many attempts — some seemingly desperate — too address this by maximizing its most successful venues.
NASCAR’s not going to fold, even if it has slipped, any more than did the NBA during the lean pre-Magic/Bird years, so I have difficulty seeing why adding another major sporting event to Kansas City’s schedule is a negative. It may not prove to be the cash cow its supporters hope, but thus far only one consistently contrarian critic seems to consider an added attraction for the community as being undesirable.
That critic may not have “believed that a local community investing millions in a sport based almost completely on cars making left turns was a wise financial decision,” but the fact is that it is here and only has value when it has dates booked. The same goes for Arrowhead Stadium, Kauffman Stadium, Sprint Center or any other facility; they have to have product.
MoCrash
To clarify, Kansas Speedway has 82,000 fixed seats, although infield and standing room push total attendance figures upward.
Peter Putz
You are a jerk.. NASCAR is the largest corporate jet day in the area..Your denigration of people astound me…You are a gadgly that cant fly..so you just make fun..If I was at the Star I would have fired you also..There are lots of cities that you could move to…but you most likely would be run out of them also..
Peter Putz
You are a jerk.. NASCAR is the largest corporate jet day in the area..Your denigration of people astound me…You are a gadfly that cant fly..so you just make fun..If I was at the Star I would have fired you also..There are lots of cities that you could move to…but you most likely would be run out of them also..
Randy Bobandy
This post is yet another retarded post, brought to you by Tony. It’s alright, he’s like a petulant child who is starved for attention.
10 years ago western Wyandotte had Sandstone, which had already gone bankrupt once.
Now they have the Speedway, which now hosts 2 Nascar races and an Indy car race. Which has caused the buiding of Great Wolf and other hotels to cater to fans. And the Legends. And Schlitterbahn. And the new Soccer stadium. And the office parks.
All where a decade ago used to be cow pasture.
I know you don’t like white people and purposely pick things to criticize them for. But at least pick something that makes some SENSE.
Keyser Soze
Even with expensive visits to the dentist and time consuming tea party gatherings and Fox News viewing, I can still find the disposable income to watch my favorite drivers make left turns twice a year – YEEE-HAAAWWWW!
There – do I fit your profile, Tony?
“Reactionary racism” indeed. I guess you know it when you see it – especially when you look in the mirror you bigoted douchebag.