The 2013 Sprint Media Tour is complete and the new NASCAR season is just around the corner.
After a week of some news, interviews, and a lot of talk, the NASCAR world has a few weeks to digest everything from the tour until the cars officially take to the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway for Budweiser Speedweeks.
In all the chaos that existed throughout the week, a common denominator was present: positivity.
Yes, there is always optimism throughout the media tour each year. Every driver and team goes into the season with a positive attitude and everyone believes they have a shot at winning races and making the Chase. The amount of times the word “excited” is used throughout the media tour is typically comical. However, this exuberance is not what stood out.
The positivity which existed throughout the week was not just based on a team’s ability to perform well in the new season. It was the positive attitude towards that state of the sport that really meant something.
After years of declining ratings, decreasing attendance, and an overall negative feeling about the sport’s direction, the criticism of NASCAR seemed to be replaced by a more cheerful outlook – or at least hope.
NASCAR’s new Gen-6 racecar has most of the drivers’ support. Many believe the racing will improve as a result of the new racecar and the sanctioning body is more focused than ever to reach this goal. The economy is turning around slightly and sponsorship renewals and additions seem to be occurring more often. Fan interest and anticipation is at one of the highest points in the sport’s history. The industry appears to be pulling in one direction, working together to provide a better product for fans all around.
From the effort to improve racing on the track to NASCAR’s reach to fans on the internet – NASCAR launched its new digital platform earlier in the month – aspects of this sport are changing. It appears these changes are for the better.
It just all seems good right now.
Yes, this can always change – especially in the heart of the season. However, there is no denying that the 2013 season is already off to a great start – even if the green flag has not even dropped yet.
