Little buzz on campus for upcoming racing season

Feb. 24, 2005
By Keith Claussen
Online Editor

With the Daytona 500 taking place last Sunday, starting the season of 36 races, NASCAR fans on the St. Ambrose University campus were hard to find.

“I just never figured out what the big deal was. It’s a bunch of cars going fast,” said Nathaniel Krell. “So it’s the exact opposite of rush hour traffic on the bridges around here.”

“I don’t watch it. I’m not interested in cars,” said Dulce Dyer. “It’s more like a guys thing.”

Various students on campus were asked if they were fans of NASCAR, or if they had any opinions towards the “sport,” which became the topic of debate in itself.

“I don’t consider it a sport,” said Ben Tatro. “I don’t consider driving a sport.”

Kayla Overton disagreed, stating she believed that auto racing should be considered a sport, but also expressed a stereotype she has seen.

“A bunch of people think it’s just a bunch of hicks in cars,” said Overton. “My dad is really big into it. I can sit and watch it, but I’m not an avid follower.”

Overton was the only person spoken to who has actually been to a live race.

Last week marked the death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, who was killed four years ago in a last-lap crash during the Daytona 500. With tragedy lurking around every turn, some can’t resist the possibility of seeing “the big crash.”

“I like NASCAR, really only because of the crashes, otherwise I don’t find it very interesting to make left turns all day,” John Hoffman II explained.

“People like (crashes),” said Dr. Ron Wastyn, communications professor. Wastyn referenced crashes that could be interpreted as being intentional ramming to spinning other cars out of position.

“There is an allegiance to the driver, which makes an allegiance to the sport,” Wastyn said. “NASCAR fans are some of the most brand loyal consumers out there. They like the driver, they like the product.”

NASCAR has taken steps to make their events marketable nationwide, to as many people as they can. The most notable change was last year when a cigarette company was replaced with a cell phone company to sponsor its top series. It turned from the Winston Cup Series to the Nextel Cup Series.

“NASCAR is very concerned about their image,” Wastyn said. He also stated that the fans that do like it believe it’s “on the edge.”

While broadcasters, car makers, and corporate sponsors are spending millions of dollars each year to promote the races, the St. Ambrose University campus seems to buck the NASCAR crazy trend that has swept the rest of the nation.

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