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[Twolanerider]

NASCAR but without fans in the stands.  That'll be like 50 or 60 people that would normally be at a race that won't get to show up now.

[iski]

Unfair.  The average was at least 123 in the stands. 14-18 of them paid to get in. This 123 number includes vendors & parking lot attendants & wives/girlfriends.  Add in drivers & crews & tv peeps & that number could triple. 

[FLSTFI Dave]

NASCAR but without fans in the stands.  That'll be like 50 or 60 people that would normally be at a race that won't get to show up now.

Really depends on track.  Bristol was always sold out as for a few others.  At least one or more pro sport is realizing they cant stay shut down. 

[grc]

Baseball is trying to set up an 82 game schedule, but certain prima donnas won't agree to taking a pay cut.  Certain pitcher has been very outspoken about expecting his full contract amount, even though he  would only be playing a half season, which for a pitcher is about 32 starts in a five man rotation.  $7,000,000 over 32 games, or nothing for zero games.  I think if I was the owner of that team I'd tell him fine, zero it is.

Jerry

[grc]

NASCAR but without fans in the stands.  That'll be like 50 or 60 people that would normally be at a race that won't get to show up now.

NASCAR is a lot like Harley, dying a slow death at the hands of imbeciles at the top.  In NASCAR's case, they may find at many tracks having no one in the stands is a plus, with lower costs offsetting any loss at the concession stands at the sparsely attended races.  I'm not a regular watcher these days, but the last time I glanced at a race for a few minutes I noticed the camera crew tried to avoid shots of the large swaths of empty seats in many sections, most likely under orders from NASCAR.  Wouldn't want people to know how low they've fallen.

Jerry

[tazmun]

NASCAR is a lot like Harley, dying a slow death at the hands of imbeciles at the top.  In NASCAR's case, they may find at many tracks having no one in the stands is a plus, with lower costs offsetting any loss at the concession stands at the sparsely attended races.  I'm not a regular watcher these days, but the last time I glanced at a race for a few minutes I noticed the camera crew tried to avoid shots of the large swaths of empty seats in many sections, most likely under orders from NASCAR.  Wouldn't want people to know how low they've fallen.

Jerry

Your spot on! Nascar started painting track seats multi colors, so it looks like a crowd too!

[Twolanerider]

Baseball is trying to set up an 82 game schedule, but certain prima donnas won't agree to taking a pay cut.  Certain pitcher has been very outspoken about expecting his full contract amount, even though he  would only be playing a half season, which for a pitcher is about 32 starts in a five man rotation.  $7,000,000 over 32 games, or nothing for zero games.  I think if I was the owner of that team I'd tell him fine, zero it is.

Jerry

Where a lot of pro sports is concerned when ownership/labor issues are the topic and it's the proverbial "millionaires versus billionaires" debate I tend to zone out and think a pox on both their houses.  I saw this story though and, surprisingly even to me, I think the pitcher has a leg to stand on. 

Baseball, as part of its collective agreement that was done by the strongest union in sports, already agreed to a pro-rated salary change relative to number of games played.  Ownership made the suggestion and the union agreed.  Now ownership is asking for another lowering of payroll based on other revenue changes; in a sport where salary as a percentage of overall revenue has never been accepted by the union and ownership has gone along with that.

Now this particular pitcher.  A young guy (compared to us they all are).  Making $7m per year this upcoming season.  Made $1m last year if what I read is correct.  Cy Young Award winner recently and only been pitching since 2016. 

He plays in Florida so presumably no state income tax.  But after Federal taxes, agent's fees, etc, optimistically estimate he's keeping 50%.  So he's making $3.5m this upcoming season and had maybe $500,000 last year.  He's still on an early contract.  So while current salaries are nothing to sneeze his really big paydays are ahead of him.  The contracts that will set him and family and kids and college etc are the ones in front of him (if he's smart).

So his Union has already agreed that he gets prorated pay this year.  82 game schedule cuts the $3.5m in half to $1.75m.  If he can afford not to work this season he has to measure that against his view of the health threat that is the team environment during the current climate.  I'm not sure I'd wager the future contract of a Cy Young award winner in baseball against a health and welfare threatened half season's salary right now.

[iski]

I think a combination NASCAR/MLB sport has potential.  Play ball on track infield.  Fly balls taking out windshields could be a problem.

The cars racing around a baseball stadium track would be dicey but it would keep me awake.

[2soaper]

Thats a great idea ISKI maybe mix ice hockey and basketball together that might be fun or better yet tennis and boxing.....

[Twolanerider]

I think a combination NASCAR/MLB sport has potential.  Play ball on track infield.  Fly balls taking out windshields could be a problem.

The cars racing around a baseball stadium track would be dicey but it would keep me awake.

Drone vehicles buzzing around the warning track shooting salt rounds would liven up the game!  Designated tanker in American League only though.

[iski]

Thats a great idea ISKI maybe mix ice hockey and basketball together that might be fun or better yet tennis and boxing.....

Or Soccer & Volleyball.  Synchronized swimming & competition rowing would be fun to watch.

[iski]

Drone vehicles buzzing around the warning track shooting salt rounds would liven up the game!  Designated tanker in American League only though.

Morton Salt sponsor tie-in, a win-win!

When NASCAR takes it's break in the middle of the race for the drivers to have high tea & crumpets or whatever they do now, the baseball players could suit up & drive while the drivers played ball. Maybe put home plate at the finish line to make it more interesting?

[08glide]

this quarantine thing is starting to affect you guys. you need to get out some. minds are starting to go to LEFT field. may be getting a little too stir crazy.        

[Twolanerider]

I just realized what NASCAR could do to bring back my interest.  I'd watch this.  NASCAR figure 8 racing !! 

Seriously, there'd be TWO infields!  You could put baseball teams and marginally clad persons of interest in each one.  Fireworks; lots of big non-safe fireworks.  Hot dog vendors in bad-ass little motorized carts that actually get to (have to) cross the track.  And squirrels.  Squirrel Road Kill at NASCAR; lots of squirrels. 

I'd watch this. 

[Twolanerider]

this quarantine thing is starting to affect you guys. you need to get out some. minds are starting to go to LEFT field. may be getting a little too stir crazy.        

Uh, yeah..... just maybe he's ^^ on to something.....

[MIKEYTEE]

I don't know how many realize who owns the tracks the are racing on.
The France Family owns International Speedway Corp.
ISC tracks
Track Name    Location    Length    Seating    Year Opened    Year Acquired[A]
Auto Club Speedway    Fontana, CA    2.0 miles (3.2 km)    68,000    1997    1999
Chicagoland Speedway    Joliet, IL    1.5 miles (2.4 km)    47,000[9]    2001    2007
Darlington Raceway    Darlington, SC    1.366 miles (2.198 km)    47,000[9]    1950    1982
Daytona International Speedway    Daytona Beach, FL    2.5 miles (4.0 km)    101,000    1959    1959
Homestead-Miami Speedway    Homestead, FL    1.5 miles (2.4 km)    46,000    1995    1999
Kansas Speedway    Kansas City, KS    48,000[9]    2001    2001
Martinsville Speedway    Ridgeway, VA    .526 miles (0.847 km)    44,000[9]    1947    2004
Michigan International Speedway    Brooklyn, MI    2.0 miles (3.2 km)    56,000[9]    1968    1999
Phoenix Raceway    Avondale, AZ    1.0 mile (1.6 km)    42,000[9]    1964    1997
Richmond Raceway    Richmond, VA    .75 miles (1.21 km)    51,000[9]    1946    1999
Route 66 Raceway    Joliet, IL    .25 miles (0.40 km) dragstrip    30,000    1998    2007
Talladega Superspeedway    Talladega, AL    2.66 miles (4.28 km)    78,000    1969    1969
Watkins Glen International    Watkins Glen, NY    2.45 miles (3.94 km) road course    38,900    1948    1997

Then you have Speedway Motorsports Corp. Which owns these tracks. Majority owned by Bruton Smith.
Facilities owned
Track    Location    Facility acreage    Main layout*    Seating capacity    Year opened    Acquired date    Major series
Atlanta Motor Speedway    Hampton, GA    820    1.54 miles (2.48 km) quad-oval    71,000    1960    1990    NASCAR
Bristol Motor Speedway    Bristol, TN    670    0.533 miles (0.858 km) oval    160,000    1961    1996    NASCAR, NHRA
Charlotte Motor Speedway    Concord, NC    1,310    1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad-oval    94,000    1960    1975    NASCAR, NHRA, WoO
Kentucky Speedway    Sparta, KY    820    1.5 miles (2.4 km) tri-oval    107,000    2000    May 22, 2008    NASCAR
Las Vegas Motor Speedway    Las Vegas, NV    1,030    1.5 miles (2.4 km) D shaped-oval    80,000    1996    1999    NASCAR, NHRA, WoO
New Hampshire Motor Speedway    Loudon, NH    1,180    1.058 miles (1.703 km) oval    88,000    1990    November 2, 2007    NASCAR
North Wilkesboro Speedway    North Wilkesboro, NC         0.625 miles (1.006 km) oval    40,000    1947    N/A
Sonoma Raceway    Sonoma, CA    1,600    1.99 miles (3.20 km) road course    47,000    1968    1996    NASCAR, NHRA
Texas Motor Speedway    Fort Worth, TX    1,490    1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad-oval    181,655    1996    1995 (Built)    NASCAR, IndyCar
*Some facilities include multiple layouts and multiple tracks including road courses, dirt ovals and dragways

Now follow the money and and you don't have to wonder why NASCAR is returning to the track that they are.

Mike