Entries tagged with “rain” from Global Sports Buzz

Imagine the outrage if the National Football League had ended the Super Bowl early (maybe due to a weather problem or field issue) with the Arizona Cardinals up 23-20. Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes would not have happened. Think for a minute of the resentment that would have occurred if Major League Baseball had ended the World Series early last year because of rain. Fans and players would have felt cheated and disappointed. Sponsors would be rethinking their investments. Television ratings would have dropped.

Despite all the obvious negative impacts of such decisions, NASCAR made the judgment on Sunday to end the Daytona 500 with 48 laps left because of rain. Yes, the Daytona 500. The "Super Bowl of Auto Racing." Arguably the most exciting moments in motorsports or maybe in all sports are the final laps of the Daytona 500. However, on Sunday there was not a three-wide, bump-drafting battle for position, a last lap pass for the win or a burnout by an excited driver. There was only an announcement about 20 minutes after that rain started that NASCAR had called the race. Thanks to that terrible call, Matt Kenseth won the race and the only initial celebration was a high-five.

I was involved in the business of the sport for a NASCAR team for several years. I have waited through many rain delays. Sometimes we would finish the race on Monday. At least the race was decided on the track. It was well worth the wait and the extra night in the hotel. As a fan, I surely feel cheated. As a sponsor or team marketing director, I would be flabbergasted. There were several cars that were making their way to the front with about 25 percent of the race still left. Tony Stewart and his new sponsor Office Depot had a great shot at winning. Jeff Gordon was coming on strong. Even Dale Earnhardt, Jr., despite his race-long struggles, was back on the lead lap and had a chance to move to the front in the remaining laps. Nothing against Matt Kenseth, but he hardly had the best car. He did have the best luck though. It was dumb luck from a dumb decision.

It is hard to say what that full business impact of NASCAR's choice will be. Sunday's event on FOX drew a preliminary national rating of 9.2 and a 19 share. Last year's full race drew a 10.2/20. Those tuning in to the race to watch the final laps were treated to a post-race report followed by the new Simpsons in HD. What a shame. We were supposed to be on the edge our seat both on the couch and in the grandstands. The only reason I was on the edge of my seat was to reach for the remote to change the channel.

Like all other sports, NASCAR has been hit hard by the recession. Many sponsors and advertisers are pulling out. Thousands have lost their NASCAR-related jobs in North Carolina and thousands more fans are finding it difficult to attend races and buy merchandise. The Daytona 500 should have jump-started the 2009 season and re-energized fans, teams and sponsors. Instead it made most of them feel more than a little "under the weather."