Brian France elated about this year’s Chase

Brian France elated about this year’s Chase

 

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(October 9, 2011)

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Even though there’s no direct cause-and-effect relationship between NASCAR’s new points system and the closeness of this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France couldn’t be happier about how the Chase is playing out.

 

“Obviously, I’m not sure we could be any more pleased with how the Chase is unfolding and, frankly, how the season has unfolded, with the level of competition, the closeness in the Chase, some of the moves that we made—the wild card being one, streamlining and simplifying the points system being another—to make it easier for people to understand and, of course, add some additional drama,” France said Sunday at Kansas Speedway after a press conference to introduce the four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.

 

Heightened interest in the Chase has brought improved television ratings for Chase races so far this year.

 

“The increase is primarily coming, frankly, right where we would want it to be, which is the younger demo, up I think 20-something percent,” France told Sporting News. “I think in the major sports today you’re going to see this in the various playoffs and championships that will be decided in all kinds of sports.

 

“It gets down to the story lines and matchups—that last 10 percent, 15 percent, whatever it’s going to be—and when you have more of that, good story lines and great racing in our case, you should do better, and we are doing better. We’ve just got to keep building on that and hope that the racing and the story lines continue to do what they’ve done.”

In a broad-ranging discussion, France said:

 

• NASCAR is discussing an extension of its relationship with Sprint, the title sponsor of the top racing series, whose current $750 million contract runs through 2013. Sprint has seen a recent sharp decline in the value of its stock. “The relationship is very good,” France said. “It’s a program that’s worked extremely well for them. We’re in a time when we’re having those kind of discussions about extending the relationship. My hope is that we will.”

 

• NASCAR is talking with the new Formula One racing facility in Austin, Tex., about the possibility of racing there, but not in the Sprint Cup Series. “We have conversations at one level or another with all the major motorsports facilities, and they’re no different,” France said. “Remember, we’ve got Grand American Road Racing (Rolex Series). We’re arguably the best road-racing product in this country.

 

• NASCAR is not contemplating a foray into the Rally Car market, despite its appeal to the 18- to 34-year-old demographic. “You’ve seen some crossover drivers or riders in Motorcycles and otherwise, so that’s not anything new,” France said. “So we’ll continue to be opportunistic to try to see when we can expose NASCAR to a different audience … (but) there’s no plan for us getting into Rally or any other business like that.”