News-Record.com

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - There's a championship to ponder, a banquet to plan and some holiday shopping ahead, but atop NASCAR's to-do list should be a better way to connect with its fans.

Other than old highlights on TV and an awards ceremony full of corny jokes, there is nothing for NASCAR nation until February. The decision to ban testing next year at many tracks - including Daytona in January means NASCAR will hibernate this winter.

For a sport that saw attendance decline and TV ratings yo-yo, next year could be bleaker. Should the economy continue to struggle as predicted, more NASCAR fans might decide not to attend races or buy souvenirs.

That's why someone from NASCAR should be on the phone with officials in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Roanoke or Richmond to hold a fan fest. NASCAR should consider these cities because of the large and varied population base within a three hours drive of each.

If none are able or interested in hosting such an event, series officials need to find another way to reach fans.

"I'm sure this sport will find a way to step up and fill the void of not having the (preseason) test, of finding a way to create excitement for the beginning of the year," Jeff Burton says. "I think that would be in the best interest of our fans to create some energy, to create something going on around the sport"'

Bring the drivers together for a one-day event that could benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp and other NASCAR charities. Have drivers sign autographs. Maybe have a few do a Q&A session. But most importantly, allow the fans to see their favorite driver up close.

Fans want to stand near their heroes, to feel even the slightest bit of connection with them. It's why autographs mean so much. And photos. They are proof of a special moment.

Without that bond it's easy to lose interest. While Jimmie Johnson fans celebrate his third consecutive series title, many others lament the racing, bemoan the sport's lack of personality and complain about ticket prices.

A fan fest can't solve all ills. But it is a gesture of goodwill, one some fans may need to remain loyal subjects. Strengthen that link with fans and make it harder for them to give up those tickets. Make them decide to give up something else instead of a NASCAR race.

If NASCAR can't get all its drivers together at the same time, then maybe send select drivers on a barnstorming trip.

Fly half a dozen drivers to Chicago in the morning and Kansas City in the afternoon. Have them spend at least two hours signing autographs.

Send another group to Daytona in January and then to Tampa/St. Petersburg. Another group could hit Portland, Ore., and Seattle.

This is a time for NASCAR to stretch its reach, and not back away as fans leave. What happens when fans realize they can get by without going to a race? It will be too late for the sport.

Car owner Jack Roush said Sunday he's a "proponent of the race tracks reducing the ticket prices &ellipses; to fill up the stands so that the sponsors and everybody that supports the thing can get their value for having the maximum number of people impressed or exposed to what we do."

Some tracks already have done that and even extended deadlines on purchasing tickets for next year.

Attendance wasn't as bad this year as it could have been because many fans bought tickets months in advance. So even though gas prices soared and the economy dived, many were committed to attending races.

That's not the case. With money due on tickets, some fans may delay buying seats or decide they can't afford to go.

Empty seats are lost revenue and enough of them - think Atlanta last month - creates the perception NASCAR is worse off than it really might be.

If NASCAR doesn't reach out to its fans soon, perception could become reality.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com