Comments on: Memo: The Age Of Gimmicks Is Upon Us

By: Nick H

Nick H — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:18:35 +0000

I found your site and this article by a very circuitous route because I don’t like NASCAR, NHRA at all or IndyCar much. But if you substitute the words ‘Formula One’ for any of the above, I completely agree with you.
The argument is F1 at the moment is about “improving the Show”, and the reaction has been predictable. Many F1 fans have similar opinions to Joe Yager and Bill B above. But it’s clear that every high-adrenalin, high-money sport around the world is trying to crank up the volume and attract the fans, sponsorship and advertising revenue. But these alterations, or gimmicks as Jim describes them might just alienate the real fans of racing, hockey, baseball, cricket or whatever.
And what will be left? A sort of sensationalised rollerball contest mixed with reality TV personality clashes.
Doesn’t sound much like sport to me.

By: Joe Yager

Joe Yager — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:14:03 +0000

I’m a racing purist. I don’t like most of the gimmicks, but I understand why they are used. It’s real simple; dollars + technolgy = equality. Equality = boring racing. It was inevitable this was eventually going to happen. Indy car & NASCAR, in an effort to contain costs, just brought this about a lot sooner by trying to be the great equalizer. Spec cars and engine packages and restrictor plates makes everyone equal. Richmond was a great example of “track position” being important. After a few passes on restarts, thanks to “double file”, everyone just settled into a static place in line. This isn’t the drivers’ intention – just the way it all works out. Without all the yellows at the end the finish wouldn’t have been as interesting.

Joe Yager

By: Bill B

Bill B — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:15:54 +0000

The line is blurring between sports and reality television. Personally I hate reality television.

I am convinced that the NASCAR fanbase is divided right down the middle. 50% want pure, let the chips fall where they may, racing and the other 50% want gimmicks and contrived endings guarenteed to make every race “close” at the end. That is why it seems like everyone clamors for GWC finishes and then when they are institued you hear nothing but whining. The 50% that don’t like GWC won’t become vocal until the change is instituted. Once instituted the 50% that want the GWC become silent because there is nothing to complain about – they like it.

One thing is for sure. All the gimmicks have made it clear that you don’t need to watch a 4 hour race. Only the last 45 minutes really matter and that is the downside of gimmicks.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:29:33 +0000

G/W/C a gimmick? Sure one the majority of fans asked for and now some of the same fans are whining.

As for gimmickry in general, let me count the ways; 1. (MLB)Designated hitter, Divisions and wild cards, Oh and did I mention steroids the biggest gimmick of all. 2. (NBA) Drafting high schoolers, 3-point shots, in the paint traveling calls non-existent to the point 5-footers like Spud Webb could dunk, 3. (NHL) Again those damn wild cards, shootouts to settle tie games…. etc, etc… the friggin’ list is endless when looking at all sports.

And frankly the gimmickry is far less in NASCAR than it is in most major sports.

By: ANM

ANM — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:23:58 +0000

Memo to self, Is this the month those failed gimmicks in Indianapolis were suppose to bring back some kind of golden age?
I seem to have forgotten.

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