Auto racing, including NASCAR racing, has become one of the most popular sports in the United States. There isn’t a weekend that goes by when the spectator sections of race courses mostly situated in the south are filled with good ole boys cheering their favorite drivers to the finish line.
The auto makers are not blind. They see what’s going on. Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet are garnering fans through these races, and what happens to these brands on the track soon reverberates in the market.
For example, Dodge won the 50th running of the Daytona 500. It soon replaced its Avenger on the circuit with the Charger. And Chevy drivers have won the last three championships. Chevrolet dropped the Monte Carlo from Cup Racing and replaced it with the Impala SS. Perhaps if Chevy didn’t have the success it has had in NASCAR the business end of things for GM might be worse.
What about Ford? There is talk that NASCAR may change some rules to allow the Mustang to race.
Foreign automakers are keen on NASCAR as well. Joe Gibbs Racing has been doing very well for Toyota. During a recent race, the announcers were talking up the Toyota Camry. That’s sure to help sales.
Our take? Rock on NASCAR! Rock on American auto market! The spectators who fill those bleacher seats at the race track and watch the races on TV may think they are getting passionate over a race but they are actually getting passionate over a brand.