The road beckons for NASCAR.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. Racing enthusiasts were treated to two of NASCAR's best events over the weekend, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup race at Sonoma Raceway and the Johnsonville Sausage 200 presented by Menards Nationwide Series race at Road America. The two events have one thing in common, of course, and that is that they both take place on natural-terrain road racing circuits.

The common refrain given by critics of NASCAR (yours truly chief among them) when trying to explain the downward slide of in-person attendance and stagnant TV ratings is that the racing is too predictable and boring, especially on the 1.5-mile ovals, some of which are identical despite their geographical differences. That is very true. But to the people intimately involved with running NASCAR the criticism is anathema and unwarranted. I can understand that point of view, because NASCAR is the biggest thing in American racing and the key players within NASCAR find it hard to believe that people would find fault with what they do.

But finding fault with NASCAR "just because" has never been my motivation. I believe when NASCAR ascended to the top of American racing and briefly enjoyed a run at the epicenter of sports coverage in this country's media landscape that with it came a responsibility to lead and to do better. But instead NASCAR languished in the status quo, doing things because "that's the way they've always been done" instead of demonstrating genuine vision to get out front of its burgeoning issues. It was only after NASCAR was dragged by its lapels by the manufacturers to come up with the new "Gen 6" car - after the dreaded "CoT" drove traditional NASCAR fans away in droves - that NASCAR's intractable M.O. showed signs of enlightenment. But even while NASCAR was acquiescing to the manufacturers' wishes to restore brand identity to the sport, it insisted on sticking to its death march of a schedule, the overly long races and the repeat visits to tracks, etc., all of which contribute immeasurably to the feeling that NASCAR will continue on its way until it recedes into being a regional-centric form of motorsport again.

NASCAR could go along way toward changing that impression by adding more road races to its schedule (while cutting the overall number of races, of course). NASCAR road racing is some of the best racing that can be experienced anywhere in this country. If the American Le Mans Series GT class offers the very best of American road racing, then NASCAR's Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races aren't that far behind. NASCAR road racing offers the in-person crowds and television audience real bang for the buck, while showcasing a level of competitiveness and pure driver skill that may be underappreciated at other tracks.

I've advocated adding more road races to the NASCAR schedule for a decade now, and for the first time I believe that there just may be a ray of light when it comes to the discussion. The rumors are growing louder by the minute that NASCAR is strongly considering adding Road America to its Sprint Cup schedule, possibly as the second race in The Chase. And it's not a surprise, because every time the Nationwide Series makes its now-annual stop at Road America more converts emerge from the NASCAR garage. I would add another road race to the NASCAR schedule as well, and Road Atlanta - which is now owned by the France family - would fill that bill nicely.

It's clear that the road beckons for NASCAR, because the fan interest, the buzz and the quality of the racing are extremely hard to argue with.

I just hope the powers that be in NASCAR can see their way clear to make it happen.



Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD

(Photo by Dave Friedman courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives and Wieck Media)
Riverside, California, January 17, 1965. Junior Johnson in his No. 27 Holly Farms Poultry Ford during the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside International Raceway. Johnson would finish second to Dan Gurney (No. 121 Wood Brothers Ford) that day after Gurney and A.J. Foyt had a tremendous duel for the lead. Marvin Panch (No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford) was third. Watch the video here.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD