Observation: crowd reaction 2011 KY versus 2012 Texas

[indyracefan]

Funny, before the age of the internet and the split, I never once used to pay attention to the crowd when watching on television. I was amazed with the advent of message boards at how many crowd-estimating experts there are. And especially by those that don't even attend the race they're so confident they know the attendance of. Fascinating stuff.

That said, I was disappointed by the crowd I saw on television. I was also disappointed with Kentucky attendance the last several years...and I went to those races.

[Dave Long]

I'll bet NASCAR was disppointed with Dover on television too. The reality is that everyone has less money these days and going to auto races is low on the list of things to do when you can't take a family for less than $200 or more... often just for tickets.

[indyracefan]

I'll bet NASCAR was disppointed with Dover on television too. The reality is that everyone has less money these days and going to auto races is low on the list of things to do when you can't take a family for less than $200 or more... often just for tickets.

I'll give you that. However they're not watching on television either, that's a real problem.

[SoundMan360]

Funny, before the age of the internet and the split, I never once used to pay attention to the crowd when watching on television. I was amazed with the advent of message boards at how many crowd-estimating experts there are. And especially by those that don't even attend the race they're so confident they know the attendance of. Fascinating stuff.

That said, I was disappointed by the crowd I saw on television. I was also disappointed with Kentucky attendance the last several years...and I went to those races.

Be realistic... can you a judge a crowd better by looking at video or photos, or when you're in the stands among the throngs? It's a can't see the forest kind of thing.

When you're immersed in 30,000 fans, it feels very similar to being immersed in 40,000 fans. I attend races, I realize I can't tell what the rest of the joint looks like most times.

I can look at video of a 130-something thousand seat front stretch and know that that much aluminum means it isn't half full. Or even a quarter full.

The reason they were so quiet is they weren't there.

[Dave Long]

That's also a product of the times, though. People play videogames, watch Netflix, timeshift all their television watching, still read, listen to music, etc. Entertainment options are legion compared to even ten years ago.

Also, parents are spending more money on youth sports, youth this, youth that... it leaves even less time and money to take your kids to a race or even watch one on television unless you're committed to that as a hobby.

The world is a different place today than it was when IndyCar was "big". Adapting to that is part of what the series needs to keep working on. Getting people out to the races should be the first thing they really push for... the TV will follow from there.

[doitagain]

KY had Ed Carpenter trying to win for little Sarah's team. Had that been Briscoe vs. Dario, same reaction? Two cars side by side for 20 laps, with neither gaining an advantage is not racing, it's a sham and belongs in a circus. Honestly, if it means holding those white knuckle races to satisfy the irresponsible appetites for carnage by NASCAR fans, I'd rather see the series end.

You shouldn't use the word 'carnage' in this case because you're only referring to crashes with car damage, not driver injuries.

And that's not all NASCAR fans, right? Wrecks are often marketed by many series, and the rules may be interpreted as being more or less prone to making them occur in every form of motorsport.

Speed = risk. Presumably all of us here are comfortable with more than the everyday average. Does that make us all irresponsible?

[Chris Paff]

BS.

Sums it up pretty well...

[Chris Paff]

Honestly, if it means holding those white knuckle races to satisfy the irresponsible appetites for carnage by NASCAR fans, I'd rather see the series end.

This is bogus.. Those pack races were exciting and the shot at NASCAR fans is BS

[indyracefan]

This is bogus.. Those pack races were exciting and the shot at NASCAR fans is BS

Perhaps it's just me, but I view the IndyCar 'pack-races' much like I do the stock-car series restrictor-plate races. It's not so much about the driver's skill, it's just the car and luck. That's not so exciting to me.

[doitagain]

We could go back and forth all day with the "BS" tit-for-tat, Chris. How about providing some expository, factually-detailed discussion and supporting logic, one way or the other?

[Todd Gack]

While most races from 2006-2011 were "pack races".

They were?

You must have not watched very closely. Or have any idea what "pack racing" even means.

I think some of you need to put a sock in the "pack racing" stuff....which Curt Cavin basically said tonight on his radio show.

You can tell by listening, that Cavin has about had it with all of the whining and worrying going on about this subject. And judging by the Texas attendance, I think many fans have as well.

[Todd Gack]

I am tired of saying this.... Kentucky NEVER had Texas pack racing NEVER.

No, Kentucky just generally had kick-ass Indy Car oval racing.

And Texas rarely had Texas pack racing either. And I've seen almost every one of them. Talk about a subject that has gotten totally blown out of proportion. Give it a rippin' rest already.

[SoundMan360]

I think when some folks say "pack racing", they mean "side by side for multiple laps with zero chance of passing (and leaving behind) the other car." Basically, a who will be a nose in front when they cross the line kind of scenario.

Which is completely exciting for some and mind numbingly boring for others. The ratings and eventual attendance will tell you the score.

I very much preferred the auto racing the IICS exhibited this week at Texas to the recent years and either Texas or Kentucky (or Chicagoland, in its last runs).