Did NASCAR’s Expansion Come at the Expense of Its Roots? | The Dale Jr. Download

[@shanebrooks2013]

I honestly believe that in Brian France's heart of hearts he was doing all the right things to grow and expand the sport to new levels. The biggest argument I and I believe most beloved NASCAR fans have is this: NASCAR in the 90's and well on into the 2000's DIDN'T NEED CHANGED! It was NATURALLY growing to popularity on its own! Nothing is sacred anymore. Nothing! Everything changes now. And for what? To cater to people that don't even like it as it is? Why? You already had a gigantic fan base! You had a growing fan base! You had larger than life story lines and drivers! And then what? You NASCAR, took everything that you had THAT WAS GROWING ALREADY, and changed EVERYTHING that got you there! Looking back, I've always wondered what NASCAR would look like with the same points system, same (basically) car and tires, and simply add and subtract new/old tracks in every year.... We will never know!

[@1234KeithB]

Yep, as the saying goes- “I didn’t leave Nascar, Nascar left me”.

[@tritontransport]

Brian France failed because he didn’t listen to the fan base. Bill Sr and Bill Jr listened to the fan base as does Jim France and that’s why you see tracks like NWS coming back and possibly Rockingham at some point

[@stephenbreen7570]

Right. He talks about losing old fans to gain new ones. But you know how you get new fans. Don't push away the old ones. Things prosper when a parent hands down a tradition to their children.

[@tritontransport]

@@stephenbreen7570 he mentions talladega nights too. What a stupid assed movie 😂🥴🙄. Bill Jr gave us Days of Thunder which was at least slightly realistic for that time period and even had cars in the movie actually in real races

[@stephenbreen7570]

@@tritontransport Yep, Days of Thunder was a brief glimpse into what NASCAR/stockcar racing is. Talladega Nights turned it into a running joke.

[@rydog7920]

Nascar as soon as it got popular in the early 2000’s immediately turned its back on the loyal fans in search of the mythical new ones they’ve never found

[@tritontransport]

Basically Brian France chased after the fad fans and tossed all the loyal fan base overboard. Now that’s why nascar can’t fill seats anymore. The fad fans quit their fad and moved onto other things and the long time fan base that they alienated said 🖕 you guys. Now Jim France has to try to fix the problem Brian created

[@CommonsenseMK]

Nascar was huge in the 80s. That was the beginning of its prosperity. Then Brian came along and greed set in. The end.

[@algoreHasNoRythm]

💯

[@waynemangan9925]

THanks to yours truly B.F.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

Exactly they look down on their core fanbase.

[@craig50golf]

Brian France and NASCAR are never wrong. And it has cost them.

[@johnhaas2523]

Hahaha

[@SealofPerfection]

Wilkesboro and Rockingham weren't shut down and the new tracks picked up without Nascar's approval. They screwed Rockingham by putting their 2 races when it was cold. First was right after Daytona, and second in the late fall. And then talked about how the attendance wasn't as good as when it was in other places. Okay, put the Rockingham race in May, and see what happens. They absolutely forgot their roots. They saw the bright lights of TV and started expanding to places that were not ever going to support racing long-term, and thumbed their noses at the people whose loyalty put them in the position to do so. Then piled on that with the Car of Tomorrow and loads of other miscues, and here they are today. An entity with no soul at all. The heartbeat was the fans in the South, and they lost a lot of that.

[@MRosati5000]

Yes! why not go to Daytona, Homestead and the Phoenix, Cali and Vegas.. They go to Bristol too early too.

[@Ka_Gg]

@@MRosati5000 yep. It seems like the spring Bristol race is always rained out. Everybody in that area says not to go there at that time and NASCAR keeps insisting

[@MRosati5000]

@@Ka_Gg Yes.. it sucks then.. same here in Pa. That's when down south and out west should be utilized

[@Ka_Gg]

@@MRosati5000 yeah, I wonder how many rain delay / Monday races they would be if NASCAR actually took 5 minutes to look at the climate and weather in certain areas and when to have the races. I can guarantee it would drop drastically.. but that would be too hard for them to think of

[@cammacisaac9966]

@@Ka_Gg It doesn't help the time of day they run all these races. Late in the afternoon when ur most likely to get rain in the warmer months. They need to go back to 1230 and 1 o'clock starts. Not only will that help cuz of the weather but if u have people that are going to need to drive 3,4 maybe 5 hours just for sunday then the race starting at 330 is too late. I went to my first race at Michigan in August 2003 and the race started between 1230 and 1, I'm about a 3 hour drive (2 hrs to the border another hour to the track) with all the traffic after the race I got home shortly after 1 am. I was tired the next morning at work but it was worth it if I went now I'd have to take the day off.

[@cashkenterprises5584]

Interesting that he defends the playoffs like it saved the sport, when the ratings tanked 2 years after it was implemented, and hasn’t rebounded.

[@MrMakemyday3]

amen!!! they never ever address the facts

[@williamthompson9706]

NASCAR financial investments haven't pulled fans to racetracks

[@MRosati5000]

I hate the playoofs.. ruined the competition and teamwork reward.. Whoever lucky last race wins?

[@danielchai6145]

I doubt the playoffs had a ton to do with that. Probably a little but the racing sucked, the personalities sucked, the popular drivers weren't very good anymore, and it was the farthest from its roots nascar had ever been. The playoffs were only a small part of that.

[@cashkenterprises5584]

@@danielchai6145 the popular drivers are good now. The racing is good half of the time. The ratings still are down.

[@lordzeke7307]

Nascar expansion problems started with the 1.5 mile cookie cutter tracks dumpling the shorter tracks that were in many towns. Another problem was Saturday racing taking people away from the local tracks

[@irongoatrocky2343]

that and logistical planning as to where to put them.......when they were looking at the NW, Bremerton WA was a Piss Poor place to put a track it had more issues than it solved!.....IMHO Moses Lake WA area would have been a far better choice because of access, land availability, seasonal weather etc etc

[@stephensmithsbarsmustangra4]

I loved the short tracks and super speedways and even the road courses. The 1.5 was some of the most boring races ever and probably, what gave Jimmy Johnson the championship all the time (another boring part of that era) he was great on those tracks. It got so boring and, difficult to even find on TV without some kind of expensive “NASCAR Passes”. Just too much trouble to follow since the 2000’s. 😢

[@evanjacoby]

Since France is so fond of using a "restaurant" as his example: You went from a Southern Country style Buffet to a Petite neo-classical French cuisine. So while the presentation still has some visual appeal, the former customers didnt care for the flavors or the portion size.

[@jessicalacasse6205]

wanted champagne in beer country sound better ...

[@willl7780]

@@jessicalacasse6205 perfect

[@steveralston8837]

I clicked on this video, but I am commenting before actually watching it. I'm guessing his answer to the title of the video is going to be: "my job is to spread NASCAR to more people in more places and that's it. The NFL isn't worried about its roots"

[@oldblueaccord2629]

Spot on brother...the corporate mantra!

[@apatriotofhopedanjohn4781]

I personally have really enjoyed these shows with Brian and getting to know so many things I had no idea about and getting to know him. I really appreciate what he’s been all about. Thanks guys for continuing to have great conversations.

[@Darth0308]

Alot of people start with a passion and then get used to the money, when that money takes a hit people got used to that way of life and Starr making sacrifices to rebuild the money. It quickly becomes about profits. Every change Nascar has made is about profits at the expense of the drivers and fans.

[@kenallen6977]

Enjoying this conversation Dale. Brian obviously has a lot of respect for you to come and do this and to be as open as he is. I have also gained a new respect for Brian - I like a lot of the things that he has to say.

[@jomnres2]

I agree. Brian comes of as a great leader and an excellent manager. Kudos to Dale for being honest as usual and a great leader in his own right. As a younger, ignorant fan I couldn’t stand Jr. (Gordon!) but I can see clearly now that he went from being the son of the Intimidator to being the son of NASCAR. This podcast is excellent and I hope NASCAR finds a way to get Jr’s voice on their board one day.

[@larryterrell8458]

I agree. Many answers if listened closely. One like being CEO doesn’t mean one has to attend each advent.

[@Husqy44]

"Expanding" through gimmicks that attract short-term attention and not fans that truly love and will stick with the sport. Nascar is in the bind it is now because of this fool.

[@lewiskemp5893]

I miss Big Bill. I dont like what Brian has done in the past but I like the fact he came on and talked his story. I have more respect for him now than before

[@jimmyhenderson2156]

brian started the fall of nascar

[@heavenlyblue]

The expansion into large tracks maybe about 20-25 years ago took Nascar away from its roots. Many of the big tracks during the expansion made the racing boring.

[@Lord_Reavous]

@@nep8463 I think he's meaning that it was okay (or not) to expand or try new venues, but them all being 1.5 "cookie cutter" tracks was more detrimental than the actual location of the track.

[@MRosati5000]

I like the big tracks.. Horsepower and aero..

[@Midnite24]

But the racing wasnt bad on those tracks at first. The cars were the problem since the COT, but now with the tracks getting progressive banking and a surface that doesnt wear, its both cars and tracks nowadays.

[@tillman40]

The 1 1/2 mile cookie cutter tracks. And they wanted a 20 car dash for the finish and used pseudo yellows.

[@jeremywilliams82]

1.5 mile cookie cutters of Charlotte were horrible. I also hated when they began locking everyone into the field. That's what makes dirt so good. You may have a champion not make the a main and race their way in during the b main.

[@autonomous_collective]

Brian France stumbles so much when asked a question. He totally forgot who Nascar was because he was SO focused on everything else outside of Nascar: Nightly News with Brian Williams, other sports leagues, etc etc. Their focus was on superficial appearance outside the organization. SHAMEFUL.

[@Ticona2]

JR is too kind to him. He single handedly ruined this sport.

[@jolenew9595]

He did not make any major decisions alone.....he has a Board of Directors that make big decisions.

[@MrMakemyday3]

of course it came at the expense of its roots and its fanbase. you are not expanding when you shutdown southern tracks to make room for others

[@rogerwalker683]

@NEP84 What about Rockingham?

[@NickPecori]

You see F1 making similar decisions by adding American races and considering leaving traditional ones, wonder how it’ll work out for them in the future since it’s mostly a European sport.

[@jefffischer3854]

Nascar is a southern sport. That was part of the excitement for me living in Missouri. I couldn't wait to make the trips down south with my Dad to Talladega, Bristol, Daytona etc.

[@jpk1128]

@@rogerwalker683 coming back soon

[@scarpfish]

If your empire has a regional fan base, there's only so much money that you're going to be able to squeeze out of them and only so many weekends in a year, so it makes sense to expand outwards to expose it to fresh faces.

[@nealieanderson512]

Stakeholder evolution has redefined the business. I have to say the discussions with Brian thanks to you and Mike have made me see things more clearly. I knew they existed but these conversations helped me reconcile how I will view things going forward.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

Bot

[@rickb6722]

All I hear is " we want more money "! And we will forgo tradition to get it!

[@SAVikingSA]

A lot of people forget that NASCAR's oldest division is the Modifieds, and it has been historically dominated by drivers from the Northeast.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Yet NASCAR doesn’t give the Modified Series the attention it deserves. It is literally THE best NASCAR Series to watch

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

War criminal.

[@erikschmidt476]

It is such a stark contrast. You get these team owners who built these huge racing empires (Gibbs, Ganassi, Hendrick) who are so modest on this show. And then there is this dude who was born into the family and makes it all about him.....

[@Wklambert]

Daytona wants our Firecracker back.

[@troygillum5]

the city would disagree

[@Wklambert]

I'm not convinced of the validity of that statement.

[@oldblueaccord2629]

@@Wklambert Way Way to hot my friend...that was a locals race and locals only. The cars now days the drivers would die out in the heat.

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

@@oldblueaccord2629 I'm from further north we went to that race every year.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Brian France was a solid businessman and he should’ve kept that role instead of being the CEO and ruining NASCAR. The problem with the expansion was that NASCAR tried to be like Football and WWE on wheels. The expansion would’ve been fine if NASCAR was still a pure and competitive Motorsports series competing against F1 and IndyCar. Unfortunately, Brian and his administrations abandoned NASCAR’s core audience for people who doesn’t know or care about racing and try to be ball sports on wheels. Despite being healthier and losing some weight nowadays, Brian France is still a disgrace to Motorsports. He’s a defensive idiot that can’t accept that his ideas that hurt NASCAR and still hurts NASCAR failed horribly. I am not surprised tho. That goes to show that Brian France as a CEO was a huge mistake. He’s lucky NASCAR didn’t die. Unfortunately, NASCAR fans are still dealing with a bunch of idiots that don’t know how the Motorsports business works. It’s a shame that NASCAR nowadays is STILL trying to get rid of their core audience, the pure racing fanatics, for people who don’t care about racing. Not only Motorsports fans are getting screwed, but the drivers are still getting screwed as well cuz the management still don’t listen to the drivers. Thanks a lot, Brian France and his administrations, the destruction of Brian’s stupidity to NASCAR is still affected.

[@ryancarlisle4621]

I think the current leaders in Nascar are doing more damage then Brian did, at least he still Is supported the veterans of nascar, Instead of trying to push them out and cram the young punk kids down our throats, yes Brian was no good at his job, but stands were still full, now maybe half to 3/4 full!!!

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@ryancarlisle4621 I can agree that the current management/administrations have NOT helped NASCAR even after Brian’s departure. I despise the last and current management

[@kben24]

@@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT He’s responsible for hiring most of those people, so his legacy of failure lives on… It’s very sad.

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

@@kben24 he pretty much hired people who don’t know a thing about Motorsports business

[@johnhaas2523]

@@ryancarlisle4621 That is 100% false you f****** uneducated f****** conservative

[@eliaspolychronopoulos4333]

I listen to this entire podcast, everything Brian France tried to defend showed exactly why he shouldn't be anywhere near the top NASCAR position.

[@Telluridepilot]

In the past Brian France wasn’t really liked and when is unfortunate issue came to the surface many people used it to fuel the fire more. I agree with some previous comments about having a better respect for him as a leader and being transparent. Dale always seems to present a neutral ground on his platform which just solidifies how much of a class act Dale Jr has and always will be. Even though NASCAR is primarily a family run business I feel Dale could bring a Gold Standard to the ranks of NASCARs Executive ranks. He in my opinion could bring the sport to a higher level than ever.

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

Seems like he grabs that coffee cup whenever the BS is about to start.

[@MrMakemyday3]

if memory serves me, its probably bourbon in the cup.

[@Thumper68]

Yeah I’d eat him up on a poker table 😂

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

@@Thumper68 exactly what I was thinking LOL

[@lewiskemp5893]

Got someone to drive him around now so drink away

[@MRosati5000]

political retoric

[@jasonmichael6292]

Two things. 1. Take care of your existing clients first. You can’t grow when you leave your base clients. 2. Keep POLITICS out of your Business.

[@shorttrackreport2546]

There was nothing like watching the tracks removing seats and seeing them double the ticket prices to compensate.

[@glenhietala2529]

Funny how in business it's usually the third generation that "ruins" the business. Gramps starts a business and makes it moderately successful. Pops takes the business, expands it and it becomes really successful. The kid comes in and wants to make it their own but really doesn't understand what the business is about. The kid makes changes to make changes and there goes the business. In NASCAR that'd be: Big Bill then Bill Jr. and now BZF.... I've seen it in a lot of companies, not all, and the decline usually starts with the third generation.

[@MrMakemyday3]

look at the attendance now for indy. the newer tracks out west attract crowds for a while, then the novelty wears off and the crowds are gone. if nascar is so successful now, why has charlotte atlanta, martinsville etc, filled in their backstretch seats with concrete lol. you lose sight of the real picture.....the great daytona renovation...........if daytona sells out now, which it never does, it only holds 107,000. a sellout in the old days was 150,000. dont hand me the bs about how good attendance is.

[@erikd326]

please put the whole podcast on youtube

[@7viewerlogic670]

Nascar charters are expensive!

[@MRosati5000]

@@7viewerlogic670 Lol!

[@dks13827]

Expand Nascar into where they are not interested ? How's that going ?

[@johnhaas2523]

Hahaha

[@Floutlaw87]

Dudes hammered...

[@richdillon2157]

Ok, I have to admit That I have never been a Brain France fan. But after watching the 4 pod installments on KZbin, My attitude towards him has changed. Now am I 100% on board with some of the changes NASCAR has done over the years, Hell NO! But now I see where the challenges have been and are coming from, For good or Bad. I have to applaud Brian Frances forth comings with how he envisioned NASCAR going forward, It's growth if you will. At the same time I have to say Dale Jr's. questions were hard and forthright, But not hard enough to Brain France, No I am not asking for Fire and Brimstone questions, Just needed to pound the pavement a little harder. I really did enjoy the conversation between the three. Thanks for sharing this.

[@RyTrapp0]

Wish more people could have a little more of this perspective. At the end of the day, this is just entertainment for us fans; but, for everyone in the biz, this is putting food on their table. And, like anyone, you want to get as much as you can for you and yours, because you never know what might be around the corner. I can respect the "make the pie bigger" philosophy, especially having worked in motorsports, including for a Grand-Am Prototype team(so I technically was working in a NASCAR series). I don't like a lot of it as a competition purist, but I get it.

[@StoneSD]

This is the correct analysis but too many are too hardheaded to recognize it

[@richdillon2157]

@@RyTrapp0 Look at me being almost 64 years in age, I have a different look on life, Not the hard headed, Brash, Not scared of a Fing thing 20 year old or what ever. Still I have an opinion, Good, Bad, or indifferent. My "Perspective" as you call it is just plan honest non-formal training in not much of anything. I call it as I see it and if I'm wrong, I'll admit it. Now I don't watch much of NASCAR anymore, I have better things to do with my life right now. I don't agree with all that NASCAR is doing to Advance the sport, But I don't disagree with all they are doing either. And like I said I have a different view of Brian France than I did. Just a thought, Maybe NASCAR needs more level head people in the sport, Like you and I to make a few changes. Will we get invited to join the family, I doubt it, But just maybe they "NASCAR" should think about it. Have a great day.

[@MrKeithkerr]

Brian France did himself no favors by showing up for this.

[@jeffraines414]

Just look at the attendance and viewership numbers today as compared to 20 -30 years ago. All this is evident by The Disappearance of the entire backstretch at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The diamond Tower no longer exists. Congratulations on ruining NASCAR Brian

[@gregorywhitus2148]

Problem with sports is , once money got sooooo big , it turned to BIG BUSINESS and the nascar roots CEOs gave way to the business man CEO and it was all about money not product

[@westbrooksr]

This guy makes my spidey senses go crazy crazy. I hope you know this guy well and he doesn't leave a trail of regrets. He really creeps me out...sorry.

[@daviclar867]

Yeah he is creepy. 🧐

[@alwaysopen7970]

80s was the best!!!

[@tmklunk]

And the 90’s

[@jessicalacasse6205]

kinda help when a monte carlo was a monte carlo not a sticker...

[@timgilbear]

In 1989 , Reno NV, Brian was brought out as a flunky to Dennis Huth to go to Tucson and learn short tracks, he did not “choose” and did not “run” the tracks. I am sure he wants to remember it that way, so be it. I know the memory fades after the first 100 races. The NASCAR machine tried to make him not so clueless.. he was not even brought in as a series director, because he was clueless.

[@tritontransport]

Yeah my thoughts as well. Bill Jr sent him out there to get him out of Daytona because he didn’t know what he’s doing and still doesn’t……out of sight out of mind, go work in a market that doesn’t matter where the least amount of damage can be caused to nascar

[@tcmusic6429]

You’re highly uneducated

[@timgilbear]

@@tcmusic6429 since, sir, I was in the room when this happened, I feel like I can comment with some semblance of accuracy. be well.

[@tcmusic6429]

@@timgilbear you should probably start off with learning rudimentary English. 😂

[@burtonjohnson651]

If the NFL were to replace the Steelers, Packers, Cowboys, Rams, Raiders, Bears, and Giants with new franchises in other cities they would be what NASCAR has become.

[@johnhaas2523]

The Rams though have moved around. They was in St Louis before new owner didn't get what he wanted with the stadium and moved them back to LA. The raiders are not California anymore in Vegas.

[@steventweed3599]

I'm calling B.S. this go round. This all started when they killed North Wilkesboro for the sake of Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre and their respective interests, Texas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, two boring ass racetracks. Now North Wilkesboro is back and look at the ticket demand! There used to be a waiting list for Bristol Motor Speedway season tickets but not anymore. Bruton destroyed the track and now they have to run one of the races as dirt to make it entertaining? Strength comes from your core and NASCAR abandoned its core.

[@MRosati5000]

That dirt thing is a waste of energy.. Just race on asphalt.. easier for teams and track.

[@steventweed3599]

@@MRosati5000 , agreed. Gimmicky. If they want Bristol to be the venue it once was just take it back to 36 degrees of banking.

[@johnhaas2523]

@@MRosati5000 It's not a waste for Marcus Smith and his company Because it's not just about NASCAR. They have dirt Nationals at Bristol and make good money

[@slipstream7324]

it's interesting learning about the downfall of nascar

[@tritontransport]

He’s the face of the downfall 🥴

[@jessicalacasse6205]

they forgot what nascar meant ...

[@tritontransport]

@@jessicalacasse6205 Brian was and still probably is a drunk pill popper who thought nascar didn’t need the nascar long time fan base to become bigger. Kinda like Theresa Earnhardt thought DEI was bigger than Dale Jr and could succeed without him 🤷‍♂️

[@WastdTrashPanda]

The Chase/Playoffs were a bad idea

[@joeyd3324]

I went to the Brickyard 400 when the Wonder Bread Merch Trailer was Swamed by Fans, Ricky Bobby T Shirts were Everywhere...lol. Who got That Money..?

[@MinivanMegafun100]

I’ve watched 3 of these segments from this interview and this isn’t a very good episode for a couple reasons: 1) Dale clearly is still either intimidated or shows reverence for France. He’s definitely hesitant and soft pedalling the questions. You can tell there’s things he wants to ask/say but kinda beats around the bush and won’t be direct. 2) France isn’t willing to dish on anything. Almost every answer is “here’s all the ways every decision we made was right”. It’s like an interview with a corporate manager - a lot of words without actually answering directly. We all know the major mistakes of the Brian France era: Playoffs, CoT, over expansion, over saturation - which all led to the eventual decline of the sport.

[@eddietat95]

I don't see how being a confrontational host is supposed to get anyone to cooperate with the conversation. Jr. asked questions about all of the things you mentioned (the Chase, the CoT, etc.) and Brian gave an answer. You might not like those answers, I sure didn't, but they were answers. This is the Dale Jr. Download, not Hardball with Chris Matthews.

[@tritontransport]

Jr is certainly intimidated by Brian France, I picked up on the same thing. You can see that in the video where mayfield drug testing policy is brought up and his co mentions it was brought up that Jr said he was even hesitant and nervous about the drug policy and all Jr did was sit there like a silent pale puppet 😂

[@MinivanMegafun100]

@@eddietat95 he asked questions but compared to some of the other interviews he’s done on this podcast this one was VERY reserved. It’s not about any gotcha thing but he absolutely was beating around the bush and soft pedalling on this one.

[@ashton35]

He knows he's talking to someone that's on something bigger than he is We all act the same way when we realize it WWJD

[@RyTrapp0]

lmao at this comment, good lord I don't know how someone can listen to this and leave thinking that. Had to be bringing some extra baggage in your mind before you started the video...

[@KahunasGarage]

17:57 to 19:15 The wrong people and entities were allowed to get into the sport. The sport changed because people changed, society changed, and no one did a damn thing to stop it. I just thank God I got to be that kid born in 76 right here in NC, watching Dale and some of the best racing through the 80's and 90's.

[@earnhardt3613]

NO one including Brian France could help the sport after Dale Earnhardt died in 2001 and then his father in 2007.............Just can't replace people like this it's like NASCAR lost it's heart and brain in less than 6 years ............................these 2 men are NOT replaceable.

[@williamhanna2613]

I think it mite to late to late the damage is done.good job Brian

[@radamus210]

Of all the parts posted up so far, OK, I'll give him some credit in this one. I like he said he wasn't his dad because he sure as hell wasn't. Biggest difference is, Bill and Bill Jr had the respect and the relationships with the owners. I just can not recall ever feeling that Brian did, or anywhere close. It wasn't so much the directions I think, as it was the communication, and the all important buy-in because he didn't have, or didn't build those relationships. I still feel like, he probably secured an office lease more than knocked on doors asking for business. Probably wrong, but he himhaws too damn much selectively constructed his responses where it's not natural, it's learned - Spit it out and own it, don't be afraid to be wrong. Admit it when you are - everyone is at times. I think this is the best thing he could do, just be straight and face the fire- it will be better for his cred than by not doing it. we're America, we love underdogs and hand out second chances like free cookies because we love a feel good. .... Not sure I'm ready to be all fuzzy about this dude just yet but I'll give him points where I think he made some. I have a suggestion for some race dates at other tracks - get rid of those stupid rovals and put em on a damn track.

[@dirkdiggler2052]

He started the fall of nascar, period. He is currently the equity director for president flaccid

[@williamthompson9706]

Jeremy Mayfield should have been reinstated into NASCAR, they screwed that man. Especially since Brian got busted for a DUI,hypocritical.

[@johnhaas2523]

He had his chance to get reinstated and he didn't want to go along with what Brian

[@williamthompson9706]

@@johnhaas2523 why should he if he was not guilty of anything, but A.J. did go along and has a successful career.

[@johnhaas2523]

@@williamthompson9706 well it was the only way he was going to get reinstated unless he could have tried to go after Brian in the courts to have a judge force Brian's hands at that time

[@bottcher927]

Oh man his dad sitting there would be smoking a cigarette telling jr how to podcast his own show then fine jr 10g. And laughter some smoke right in your face. I hate cigarette smoke but that stuff made me a lifetime fan.

[@bmoretrading7295]

Brandon & Brian both know how to screw things up

[@eric.lowery]

Have you ever met somebody and just instinctively knew that you couldn't trust them? Yeah...

[@tompiper1480]

Great interview!

[@dwaynedonnelly]

TNN did more for the sport than all the main networks combined!!!

[@bmoretrading7295]

Remember seeing all of the signs at the tracks back in the late 90’s that said: The NASCAR Network

[@dwaynedonnelly]

@@bmoretrading7295 Every Sunday morning, coffee and Ned Jerret.

[@lewiskemp5893]

Actually ESPN was the best in the 90s but I loved TNN. Especially with Neil Bonnett. So sad how bad espn has fallen and fox and nbc suck compared to that era. Bob Ned and Benny were awesome

[@dwaynedonnelly]

@@lewiskemp5893 The thing about TNN is it was part of regular cable packages and available in Canada and Mexico, ESPN was not, TNN reached far more fans, Sunday mornings and Ned Jarret. Losing Neil was the first time I was hurt by a driver death, that one stung.

[@lewiskemp5893]

@@dwaynedonnelly in Georgia you had to pay extra for espn

[@strokerace14bp]

Part of a corporation's job is to create revenue and appeal to its untapped consumer,so I'll commend them on trying. In my opinion, a big part of the "Pie" that was being overlooked was something they didn't know how or want to control, and that was their workforce. Petty's,Earnhardt's,Waltrip's,Wallace's,Allison's Bodine's list goes on and on. And when i say this,i dont mean there hasnt been great drivers come along since then, i mean,we dont have that vast diversity in personalities anymore that the audience can gravitate 2. And 2 the drivers defense,corporate created a sandbox that you had 2 adhere 2 for the financial backing 2 follow. Anyway u wanna look at it,corporations will swallow things whole good,bad or indifferent.

[@7viewerlogic670]

Fair enough.

[@klk1900]

People have to understand drivers and teams didn’t have that much power until the 90s when DuPont / Goodwrench. F500 companies etc. But unfortunately what the companies don’t understand is when you have personalities like most drivers have you gotta rule them with an iron fist because everybody thinks they have the best idea. So that’s why I think bill Jr was so successful. Mike Helton isn’t that sort of guy at heart he just watched bill jr deal with drivers and he mirrored him. But mike isn’t a in your face type guy, that’s something he had to learn.

[@michaellangley6620]

For every fan he gained outside the south. He lost 2 in the south and southerners supported and watched the races from the beginning to end. The new fan doesn't watch or financially support the sport like the southerner did

[@MrJking065]

You are correct. Southern NASCAR fans are not fickle. All we want is good racing, along with staying true to the roots of NASCAR.

[@dks13827]

They lost many loyal fans....... like me and my family.

[@johnhaas2523]

Good

[@johnhaas2523]

@@MrJking065 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 You're f****** required to like entertainment

[@johnhaas2523]

@@dks13827 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@wegottafishdude]

To answer the headline question yes

[@Huntngame]

Starting with the COT kinda soured me, but the playoffs and all that crazy qualifying is what did me in with NASCAR. Too gimmicky.

[@jessicalacasse6205]

made running in circle complicated ...

[@Wklambert]

You should ask Lisa to be on next season 😁

[@Jeffbambam]

This guy has never had his heart in the historical significance Nascar has in the south east . He has alienated the fan base . I promise you if he can it will become a electric cart sport for yuppies ! Rip Nascar, here's the one who murdered you! He has never listened because he thinks he knows it all !

[@johnhaas2523]

His uncle and nephew and probably his sister also don't with the historical significance in the south east And good for them Because if you cater to just southeast you don't grow as a business and you die NASCAR did the right thing expanding beyond the southeast

[@rons1566]

Very enlightening and educational

[@sluggotinfantryman]

The only thing missing was USC song girls and Band playing Tusk at the foot of the statue out front. Add what's his name jumping over the track in a car. Navy Seals parachuting in with flag for anthem.

[@bumpedhishead636]

France banging his cup on the table is an indication of how irritated he really is at needing to answer questions like this on the air.

[@prestonsmith7004]

Yes, he abandoned the drivers who came from nothing that had colorful personalities, for corporate shills behind steering wheels. The only hope left in the sport could be Ross Chastain after his pass on the wall

[@tsholts5173]

Chastain's wallride didn't even help considering the championship race TV numbers went slightly down compared to last year's. Imagine if he _didn't_ do that

[@prestonsmith7004]

@@tsholts5173 true, but it's the first time I saw so many people who were done with Nascar, talking about it again

[@garyglanz403]

My opinion; Ross Chastain's stunt did more to get people to consider watching than anything about the chase. I live in South Florida and was at a birthday party for my niece. A F1 fan from the Netherlands (living in Coral Gables) found a new interest in NASCAR after seeing that. He cut the party short with his kids to watch the next NASCAR race.

[@cliff4695]

Phoenix, LA, Portland, must be where he picked up his drug addictions. 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@willl7780]

portland for sure...

[@Ka_Gg]

This guy wanted every single person to be a NASCAR fan. That just isn't possible. The idea isn't even realistic. You can't make everyone happy and you can't get everyone to like something. If one person likes chocolate, another flakes spaghetti, another likes chocolate. You can't mix those three different ingredients together in one bowl and expect them to like it

[@larryterrell8458]

I’m neutral on Brian. Being CEO of NASCAR gotta be tough. Yes he was born into the family, etc., not there because he liked the sport. A changing world, sport, sponsors and the market would be tough on most. mostly a special thanks to Jr for getting him to the studio to answer some tough questions.

[@AlonsoRules]

Taking the Southern 500 away from Darlington in 2004 and running a second race at Auto Club was the start of the downfall

[@JoshMitnick]

I wonder what the TMZ headlines would have been like if they were around in Bill France’s time.

[@chadmcleish]

You betcha.

[@DFSJR1203]

Wish someone would come in and buy the only asphalt short track in New Jersey to keep it running for another 70 years.

[@anitagarrison6916]

Can't really add to what a lot of others have said. Brian did what he thought was best to grow NASCAR. If you're not moving you're eventually going to die. A lot of NASCAR's demise was when the 2008 economy tanked.

[@MRosati5000]

Back then all the big companies were sponsor's. I agree

[@RyTrapp0]

I think that's the first time I've EVER heard the economy brought up when talking about what's happened to NASCAR - and probably going to be the last time too lmao Good comment, I'm not a fan of a lot of what he's done(I largely only watch the road races & dirt races at this point), but it's pretty sad that a solid 99% or so of people with an opinion won't be open minded to all of these whats, whys, and hows. Regardless of the 'loudest' opinions, this guesting on this podcast was an AWESOME move by Brian and I really hope he does this like once a year or something. That would go so far to keeping the narrative a lil more grounded in reality, rather than "France family conspiracy-ville" that goes off when there isn't ANY of this explanation from the org side of things.

[@algoreHasNoRythm]

Partly economy mostly Obama got elected NASCAR went woke,then broke

[@Maverick33]

I'm surprised they never mentioned the expansion failures in Staten Island, New York, Bremerton, Washington and Aurora, Colorado.

[@9rjharper]

Aurora? Were they planning a track there or something?

[@Racingbro1986]

Anyone else have a hard time focusing on anything other than bubba J’s wandering eye?

[@kountrytiger1999]

Everyone has their own ideas on this but the sport has went 180 from what it was to some they might say it's a good thing i don't because when you leave behind what got you to where you are then you aren't dancing with the one you brought to the dance. the cars are as close to kit cars as you can almost get but what made nascar was that teams built their cars not bought in a package Brian France can't see he is killing the sport but to people like me who grew up watching it from the 70's on but the product on the track now isn't nascar it's amazing to see all the empty seats that used to be packed full and how you used to have trouble getting tickets 2or3 years out for some tracks not anymore nascar needs a serious over haul quickly but sadly to a growing number of us it's already dead.

[@lamarw9901]

I made my comment on the playoff on the other video. When it comes to tracks, yes it was sad to see tracks closed. However, the new tracks were not exciting. It seemed the new tracks were mile and a half, D oval type tracks. The tracks also were built with then new IRL in mind. The tracks built then reminded me of the 70s dual purpose stadiums built to house football and baseball. They did it but nobody liked them. I discovered road racing around that time. ALMS and F1 took my focus. IMSA has problems now where I have again lost interest. F1 is improving again. I can not take NASCAR seriously with the playoff or segment racing, both are made to drum up drama. If I wanted drama I would watch wrestling.

[@jefffischer3854]

The D shaped tracks were built so the fans would have a better view of the track. But the racing sucks except on restarts.

[@tillman40]

Nascar had the advantage of watching Cart fail. They let the cost of a team get too expensive , sponsors couldn’t afford to fund an entire season, the sponsors wanted to shed the southern fan base in order to go woke. Nascar would rather find new fans then support their base. They figure they have you hooked on the drug already

[@jerejoy5196]

Hey Francey, we have a saying about loyalty in the south - “dance with tha one that brung ya”

[@johnhaas2523]

Take your southern beliefs and shove them up some places on doesn't shine because USA is 50 states not just your southern states

[@RustyWells2]

As soon as Nsscar goes off tv and goes straight to it's fans and lets them subscribe to them too watch live Nacsar races that's when we will get are Nascar back!

[@jessicalacasse6205]

nascar meant stock car racing now you got hot wheels ...

[@bradmcdaniel9675]

that fella almost killed Nascar - so glad he's apparently a few layers removed now.........................

[@SMTraz]

What pushed NASCAR away from its roots and fanbase is the stupid ever-changing "playoff" points system. It sucks on every level and cheapens the championship.

[@Skottink]

Fans that don't want growth doesn't see why it helps the drivers make money. If we all cared about our roots and that's it nobody would ever leave there fast food job they had as a kid.

[@RoyBaty]

Most of the people who talk about NASCAR leaving it's roots weren't there in the beginning. North Wilkesboro and Rockingham went away for a reason. The last few years racing there they couldn't fill the seats. They needed sponsorship to continue growing, and it wouldn't happen if they relied only on the southeast. Saturday night local short track racing is big in the Northeast and West as well, maybe even bigger than in the South. They needed to expand and take advantage of that popularity. They weren't just going after fans that are new to racing. They were going after an audience in the Northeast and West that knows racing.

[@jessicalacasse6205]

kinda help when a monte carlo was a monte carlo not a sticker...

[@RoyBaty]

@@jessicalacasse6205 I grew up going to races. Watching a car from the street on the track wasn't nearly as exciting. The cars were bigger, slower, less maneuverable, and when they crashed there was a greater chance someone would die. Today's car is better all the way around.

[@jessicalacasse6205]

@@RoyBaty well why they closing stands if it is so much better now ...racing what brand sell make em up their games like in rally ...you were stock car racing ,now you got hot wheels racing no one cares about ...people prefer outlaw drag racing than pro mod because it still kinda look like a car ...

[@RoyBaty]

@@jessicalacasse6205 Times change. The reality is that there won't be 100,000 people at the races anymore. There are more things to do that draw fans. They're updating stands to include things that will make the experience better, and draw in fans. In the old days there was nothing extra. You go to the track with your cooler and sit in the stands and watch the race. Now there is a lot more stuff going on at the track and they need space to accommodate it. Nobody wants to watch them race cars that you would buy at the dealer anymore. Do you want to see a real Toyota Camry making laps? I don't. They aren't even rear wheel drive. Even the Mustangs and Camaros coming out now are lame. When they raced the Ford Taurus in 98 that was the ugliest car ever brought to the track, and it looked just like the production model. The NASCAR cars now look a lot better and they're aerodynamically superior. You mentioned Hot Wheels. I grew up with Hot wheels and match box. It would be cool to se some of those cars on the track. Just my opinion of course and that's what makes racing fun.

[@jessicalacasse6205]

@@RoyBaty you got what you wanted and the sport died ...

[@jonathanwooldridge7679]

Was Tim Brewer not available to do an interview?

[@leng1212]

Yes! It did.

[@JKUOff-Road]

Committees without a leader to make the final say is the mother of all screw ups.

[@RamseyABear]

The reality now shows that attendance is down across the nation at races and traditional tracks have removed seats. Some of his expansion tracks are now gone or going to be gone in the next few years. He should have expanded on a slower scale into select markets. The playoffs and stage racing suck. Stage racing is like giving every kid a trophy. He should allow anyone who shows up with a legal car to race. Some races now draw 36 cars where they used to start 50+ and then down to 43 starters and more would try to qualify. He does not admit to anything being wrong in any of these brief interview segments.

[@TommyToboggan611]

That 3/4 shot of Brian and well anyone makes them look cross eyed lolol

[@VMHP23]

He is cross eyed

[@TommyToboggan611]

@@VMHP23 Well god damn! Im as embarrassed as the first time I saw my dads cock

[@Chris-zn2pz]

Change playoffs back to points and reset points so the ones that deserve it win it not luck

[@johnhaas2523]

Jim France, Steve Phelps and O'Donnell even Ben Kennedy and his mom are not interested in that

[@dougcox2537]

I was a NASCAR fan until you went away from Stock Car Racing. When I want to watch Trans-Am cars, I turn the channel and look for them. And I do like watching Trans-Am road racing. They however use real rear-end and a driveshaft instead of doodle bug trans-axles.

[@bumpedhishead636]

The entire idea that the Nacar corporation can dictate how tight & close the race will be is just completely wrong. That should not be how racing works. Establish the over all rules of the class (open wheel vs full body production, etc) and establish the minimum safety requirements, then get the hell out of the way and let the teams decide what "competitive" looks like. That's what qualifying is for!

[@IntriguedGaming]

Mr France make a lot of good points in this one. Basically if you not trying to make it bigger, better, more accessible you will be stagnant and suffer a slow death for the NASCAR brand.

[@MrMakemyday3]

how do you get bigger when you shut down and forsake established tracts to make room for others. DUUUUH

[@WastdTrashPanda]

In theory yes, but the way it was done did not work.

[@joeyjohnson4826]

he didn't expand. almost act as if he was ashamed of the traditional Nascar fan. let's just say a certain type of Southern blue collar worker. told them that they are traditions were no longer welcome NASCAR went woke. s******* on its base core fan. and was never able to replace it with the fan that he's so long for. completely s*** on where it came from acted as though he was embarrassed of it. and I don't know what you would call The sport now it's certainly not growing. and no matter how hard he tries wet fans are left are still that certain type of blue collar fan. it's not that he just expanded he s*** on where he came from

[@DamagedIncorporated1]

At least a slow death is better than a massive bleed out with a huge gush made by Jason Voorhees, with the latter being what NASCAR is beginning in the late 2000s/early 2010s

[@chadmcleish]

look at them now

[@tmcorey1]

The tone deafness of elites never ceases to amaze to me. 😂

[@evanwilliams6406]

I just never seen Brian France as leader material and probably the least effective amongst his family to run Nascar. France was a businessman and he really isn't a guy that likes being on the spot or being in front of a camera and stinks it up with his talk. I just think he was just so out of touch and I always thought Brian would go own a football or soccer franchise, I think he's better at that than helming a racing series.

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Ask why Tom Tom and all the big celebs are at F1 but not at Nascar. We need a race where Super Yachts can park.