I don't believe that the old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" is applicable for NASCAR, at least as it now is configured. As such I believe that the manufacturer's might just reduce their involvement in NASCAR. For example, what manufacturer sells a "Car of Tomorrow"? On television the cars are most often referred to as the "Roush cars" or the "Hendrick cars" - not Fords or Chevies.

The marketing of NASCAR is more related to the drivers and the products stickered on the side of the car than the stickers that are there to fool fans that they are looking at a Ford. The drivers themselves most often refer to the cars as, for example, "The Home Deport car" rather than to its manufacturer.

With all of this dimunition of the automobile manufacturers in NASCAR, I expect that in tough economic conditions for car maanufacturers, they will take a hard look at their NASCAR programs.

Steve,
Franklin, MA

Steve McKelvie - 26 July 2008 02:38 PM

I don't believe that the old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" is applicable for NASCAR, at least as it now is configured. As such I believe that the manufacturer's might just reduce their involvement in NASCAR. For example, what manufacturer sells a "Car of Tomorrow"? On television the cars are most often referred to as the "Roush cars" or the "Hendrick cars" - not Fords or Chevies.

The marketing of NASCAR is more related to the drivers and the products stickered on the side of the car than the stickers that are there to fool fans that they are looking at a Ford. The drivers themselves most often refer to the cars as, for example, "The Home Deport car" rather than to its manufacturer.

With all of this dimunition of the automobile manufacturers in NASCAR, I expect that in tough economic conditions for car maanufacturers, they will take a hard look at their NASCAR programs.

Steve,
Franklin, MA

Maybe not in the literal sense. E.G. Toyota winning Sunday doesn't mean I'm libel to run out and buy a Camry on Monday. But you can bet that your memory stores that info subliminally away for future reference.

M.

Mike,
If you believe that the "racing on Sunday philosophy" has any impact on car sales...why, during the huge expansion of NASCAR, did the market share of the big 3 move in a steady decline? The two statements are non sequitur.

havoc - 28 July 2008 08:00 PM

Mike,
If you believe that the "racing on Sunday philosophy" has any impact on car sales...why, during the huge expansion of NASCAR, did the market share of the big 3 move in a steady decline? The two statements are non sequitur.

I guess you are right. Madison avenue is a figment of our imagination. Marketing works. Or else why would they bother? Spin it all you like, no one supports a loser. Auto sales are down period. In case you haven't noticed the economy is not doing too well.

M.

I didn't paint this with a broad brush as in your wrote in that marketing does not work. I was pointing out that the drift from actual road cars that once had a direct link to stock car racing has had a consequence. In addition, elevation of the driver cult has diminished the brand identity. By all accounts (even Dave Moody last year) all the pundits have correctly identified that nobody cares about the manufactures championship. Did anybody go out and by a Toyota when Stewart started driving the marque? Did anyone abandon Ford for Chevy when Mark Martin made the switch? Probably not. People spend money on the second largest purchase of their lives because of price, quality and timing.

Other examples are with he title sponsor Nextel. They have lost huge market share to other providers because they have poor service. Just a few weeks ago the finacial reports were indicating that they were going to be taken over by a South Korean Company. Despite there position as the official telecommunications provider of NASCAR, most people (NASCAR fans included) don't use them because they have atrocious service. You are exactly right, people don't support a loser. Home Depot is another example.

As you know, marketing is an inaccurate "science" that defies a formulaic approach. I was only pointing out that the data does not support the win on Sunday buy on Monday saw.

I refuse to be drawn into your maize of circular logic. Good day.

M.

Excellent posting Havoc.

Mike, maize is corn.
Thanks Earl.

havoc - 28 July 2008 08:59 PM

Mike, maize is corn.
Thanks Earl.

My bad Earl. (Maze)

M.

If I heard correctly GM is backing off their racing budget next year.

Frankly I don't know why any manufacturer would bother to enter today's nascar. The price of putting a bowtie decal or blue oval on an nondescript homogenized automobile just doesn't make much economic sense to the manufacturer. Homogenized cars will soon have homogenized engines from on manufacturer to run on homogenized tracks.

With everyone being equal soon they will be awarding 9th place trophies and 24th place ribbons so as not to hurt everyone's feelings. Everyone will win something and they will all go home warm and fuzzy with that bubbly feeling of accomplishment.

Soon everyone will buy their nascar chassis from the nascar store supplied with the rented and sealed nascar engine and filled with nascar fluids. All parts will be sealed so you can't mess with them, you will even be supllied with a nascar laptop which plugs into t he nascar telemetry turned on and off by nascar at everyweekend. Your data will be broken down by nascar so that your rented engine can be chipped up with more or less horsepower to make your winning streak shorter or your losing streak end.

Gotta love the day racing died and entertainment became the schizz.

Dopey

Gotta love the day racing died

Racing didn't die, NASCoT did.