A FAN'S STAND
by Jeannine Petriel

A Fan’s Stand: Why New York???
Monday, December 10, 2007

I was listening to “The Morning Drive” with David Poole from the Charlotte Observer and Marty Snider of TV and MRN the other day and I heard them talking about the banquet being in New York City. David Poole thought that NASCAR was having the banquet in NYC because they were trying to get high society to accept them and that the banquet should be something for the fans. I agree completely!

I know some of you must be thinking that I am some hick who doesn’t like the big city and that is why I don’t think the banquet should be in New York. If you were thinking that you would be way off. I was born and raised in Southern Connecticut. I have been to New York City many times and when I think of a city, that’s the one that comes to mind. In fact, we took our two oldest children there just before Thanksgiving this year. I love New York City and enjoy going there.

It is because I am so familiar with New York City that I think it is the wrong place to have the banquet. New York is a cold city and I am not referring just to the temperature. I am not saying that New Yorkers are cold and unfriendly, just that the whole atmosphere of the city is rather stand offish and business like.

NASCAR, no matter how much it wants to run from it, is a southern sport with a friendly, down home Southern feel. Even though we only had a couple of guys on the stage this year with even a hint of a southern accent, they all have that open, friendly way about them that is just not the New York way. On top of that, our sport is supposed to be all about the fans, yet even rich fans can’t buy a ticket. The TV broadcast is boring to watch and they find the least funny comics they can find. At least they got a descent singer with a country sound this year.

I know that NASCAR’s championship week is about the media and the sponsors, even though the guys at the top will deny it, but I say make them come to us. Have the awards “banquet” at a place like Daytona USA or better yet at the hall of fame once it is built. Go ahead and keep it formal, but let fans buy tickets (we really can dress up nice when we want to) and get a NASCAR comedian (I’m sure Foxworthy would come).

Since we already know who the winners are, make it fun to watch and more fun for the fans.

If you think we should keep the banquet in NYC let me know!

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