In case you didn’t know, and you probably didn’t, the Brickyard 400 is this weekend in Indianapolis. The annual spectacle use to be a strong event, maybe the second biggest race of the year behind Daytona for NASCAR, now is a few years from meaningless.
NASCAR has had it’s problems over the years at the Brickyard with the tire fiasco being the most prominent. I was at the race as a spectator, sitting in the bleachers down the main straight-away. Those turned out to be great seats, because the cars couldn’t run more than 15 laps on the tires.
The most obvious problem is the track for stock car racing. Unlike IndyCars, with the low degree of banking and room to work in corners, passing is rarely happens. Less passing translates into less accidents and less excitement.
Daytona always has been and will be the top NASCAR race each year but there’s no reason for the Brickyard to be second.
This week, the 400 hasn’t got the attention it deserves in the media. The NFL brand is the strongest in sports today and it has been obvious this week in Indianapolis. Instead of covering drivers, sharing their story and talking about the race, local media are staking out West 56th Street in Indy to see what players go in and out of the Colts practice facility. It’s like that. A day before the race, and I’m finally writing about it.
I don’t think the race is anything special for most of the drivers. But for Indiana natives like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, it’s arguably their favorite race. Every other driver enjoys the meaning of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it’s rich history.
Friends of mine talk about the Indy 500 months before May. Those that grew up in Indianapolis and moved elsewhere, use the 500 as an excuse to return. The Brickyard 400 is a different crowd, but it just doesn’t draw.
Luckily the race is on ESPN so the network has done some previews and advertising, teasing the upcoming race.
I’ve covered the Indianapolis 500 for the last two years–but have no interest or desire to cover the 400. Local televisions stations won’t shell out the same number of personnel to work the race. In fact, most will send a photographer and maybe a sports reporter north to Anderson as Colts players check-in to training camp.
It’s sad and unfortunate, but I expect to see plenty of empty bleachers on Sunday. Something has to change.