http://www.nascar.com/news/110104/te...ion/index.html
What's in a name?
Historically, race tracks sold title sponsorships independently and handed partners over to networks that sold a supporting ad buy, but a recent joint effort between the two may have set a new precedent for how business is done moving forward.
What is the most pressing issue facing NASCAR heading into the 2011 season?
35% - The sluggish state of sponsorship
33% - Decline of TV viewership
20% - Changing the Chase
7% - Maintaining integrity of Nationwide Series
5% - Ending airborne cars in accidents
Tracks, networks team up to sell naming rights
Executives believe approach may set new precedent for doing business in sport
NASCAR's the only sport where you can own multiple aspects of one weekend. You can get a major splash unprecedented in sports, but to do that, we all have to go in together and sell the sport - FRITZ MASKREY
United they sell, divided ... perhaps not
Top 5: Issues facing NASCAR
The racing is better than it has ever been, but there are still looming problems
http://www.nascar.com/news/110101/to...car/index.html
5. The sluggish state of sponsorship.
The recession may officially be over, but the effects of it are still being felt in NASCAR's sponsorship market.
No one is immune -- even some high-profile cars, like those of Mark Martin and Ryan Newman, still have gaps for next year.
Related: Gordon to be sponsored by anti-hunger group
4. Fixing the Talladega flip.
Almost every visit to the big race track in Alabama, we see it -- a car going up in the air and coming back down with a thud.
Series engineers continue to research ways to prevent cars from becoming airborne, and an answer can't come soon enough.
Related: Taking a flier on next great frontier in racing safety
3. Maintaining the integrity of the Nationwide Series.
NASCAR's Triple-A series is in an awkward position -- it needs Cup stars to get attention, yet needs available seats to develop the drivers of the future.
NASCAR is looking for a way to restore balance, possibly by banning Cup regulars from title runs.
Related: Nationwide Series coverage
2.
Changing the Chase, or not.
NASCAR continues to explore possible tweaks to its championship playoff format, trying to ensure more galvanizing moments like the race that ended this past season.
NASCAR wants what's best for the sport, but it doesn't want to create a gimmick, either.
Related: France pleased with Chase scenario at Homestead
1. The decline of TV viewership.
NASCAR racing has never been better, the championship race was the most riveting in recent years, and still television viewership tumbles.
NASCAR chairman
Brian France correctly points out that these things are cyclical, but the
decline in TV ratings has to concern brass in Daytona Beach.
More importantly: the current TV deal runs through 2014, which means the decline could cost NASCAR money in renegotiations if it doesn't correct itself before then.
Related: For NASCAR, clouds of recession starting to part