Brickyard 400

[Robert96]

Did anybody watch the race yesterday? I saw the beginning of the race and there was nobody there. Is because of the COST and the bad economy or what? I haven't been following NASCAR in recent years but that was shocking too me.

[moparstuart]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,93800.0.html


I was there     There were alot of people there it looks empty because there are way more seat there then normal nascar venues ,  its said the place could hold almost 300,000 people .  It like a city inside the place .
THat being said the economy has hit nascar very hard !!!!  That and the fact the same guy or team wins most of the races and the cars all look the same too .

[chargerboy69]

And here too. . . . http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,40232.1125.html

Your right though, the stands were empty.  I was down there too, but did not enter the track.  I had call after call, people giving me free tickets, but did not have time to go.

I remember 5 years ago you could get caught in traffic for hours trying to get to the track.  This year, the line at White Castle drive through had more people.

[Aero426]

People forget that IMS was once the largest one day sporting event in the world.    It holds a LOT of people.   That said, I think there were fewer people there on Sunday this year compared to 2011.   You never really felt pressured by the crowd.   I never had to wait in line for food, rest rooms, etc.     Indianapolis Star newspaper is reporting the crowd was down some.   

I will say that IMS knows how to put on an event.   All the personnel we encountered around the track (yellow shirts) treated us just super.   It is not like going to Daytona, that is for sure. 

[chargerboy69]

That said, I think there were fewer people there on Sunday this year compared to 2011.  

2011- 138,000

2012- 125,000

Then in 2007 just under 300,000 attended the Brickyard.  I love the track, I love the atmosphere, it is disappointing attendance has declined as much as it has.  Even Bob and Tom stayed in the studio to broadcast their special Brickyard show.  They are always there live to do the show, not this time.  

[Aero426]

Then in 2007 just under 300,000 attended the Brickyard.  I love the track, I love the atmosphere, it is disappointing attendance has declined as much as it has.  Even Bob and Tom stayed in the studio to broadcast their special Brickyard show.  They are always there live to do the show, not this time.  

What year was the 400 mile tire test?   2008?

[chargerboy69]

Yes, 2008.  Mandatory cautions every 10 or so laps.

[Aero426]

From Jayski:
Brickyard 400 still profitable with smaller crowds: Despite sharp attendance declines in recent years at the Brickyard 400, the event remains hugely profitable for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, motorsports industry experts say. NASCAR officials estimated attendance at this year's race in Indianapolis at 125,000, down from 138,000 last year. In 2007, race attendance was more than 200,000. The Speedway makes enough television revenue-close to $6 million-to pay its NASCAR sanctioning fee, according to industry experts, leaving the track with most of the revenue from ticket sales, concessions and parking. Motorsports business experts estimated that the Speedway made at least $9 million in ticket revenue from Sunday's Brickyard 400 and another $1 million to $2 million from Saturday's Nationwide Series race, which until this year has been held at Lucas Oil Raceway a few miles to the west. The IMS also for the first time hosted the Grand Am Series, but that wasn't likely a big moneymaker since attendance was only about 10,000. A new Brickyard 400 title sponsorship deal with Crown Royal added another $2 million to the Speedway's take.(Indianapolis Business Journal)(8-1-2012)

[moparstuart]

From Jayski:
Brickyard 400 still profitable with smaller crowds: Despite sharp attendance declines in recent years at the Brickyard 400, the event remains hugely profitable for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, motorsports industry experts say. NASCAR officials estimated attendance at this year's race in Indianapolis at 125,000, down from 138,000 last year. In 2007, race attendance was more than 200,000. The Speedway makes enough television revenue-close to $6 million-to pay its NASCAR sanctioning fee, according to industry experts, leaving the track with most of the revenue from ticket sales, concessions and parking. Motorsports business experts estimated that the Speedway made at least $9 million in ticket revenue from Sunday's Brickyard 400 and another $1 million to $2 million from Saturday's Nationwide Series race, which until this year has been held at Lucas Oil Raceway a few miles to the west. The IMS also for the first time hosted the Grand Am Series, but that wasn't likely a big moneymaker since attendance was only about 10,000. A new Brickyard 400 title sponsorship deal with Crown Royal added another $2 million to the Speedway's take.(Indianapolis Business Journal)(8-1-2012)

and at 4 buck for a bottle of water , i'm sure they did ok on at the concessions too .

[Aero426]

and at 4 buck for a bottle of water , i'm sure they did ok on at the concessions too .

I was surprised that a hot dog was only $3.   And it was decent size too.   They get you on the beverages.    Still cheaper than the ball park, I think.  

They do a good job on their track merchandise and for being at the track, it is reasonably priced.   Did you go in the photo shop?   Thousands and thousands of 8 x 10's available for $10.      

[Indygenerallee]

Everyone is roasted, the temps have put a downer on everything this summer along with the crappy economy....