Comments on: Expect A Thin Crowd Next Weekend

By: madtad1

madtad1 — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:17:06 +0000

I was at Baltimore and the crowd was much larger than it appeared on tv. Fans spread out around the track and infield and were constantly switching viewing areas. They crowded around the fences taking pics and looking for different places to watch. I did notice they had less hospitality areas set up, but more larger ones as wellzm

The fan zone and venders were crowded and seemed to be doing quite well.

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:48:44 +0000

I believe they claimed 100,000 for the weekend, not race day. Judging crowd sizes on television is among the most inexact of the sciences…

By: Bob F.

Bob F. — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:25:04 +0000

I still cannot believe Baltimore claimed 100,000 went to that race. I watched it and I don’t believe there was more than 10,000 there. With about 15,000 at Toronto and a similar number at St. Pete, this league has more concerns than just ovals.

By: Going to Fontana

Going to Fontana — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:55:39 +0000

Sorry for misuse of early and earlier =)

By: Going to Fontana

Going to Fontana — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:52:24 +0000

Long time reader, first time commenter. I’m in my earlier thirties and have been a fan since my dad took me to Laguna Seca in the 4th grade (Rocket RIck won the 500 and Danny Sullivan won the PPG Cup that year). I also live in near the LAX airport. As mentioned above, aside from the ads during the IICS telecasts and on ACS’ facebook page, I haven’t seen many billboard ads around my part of LA nor have I heard any radio spots on the local FM radio stations. It seems to me that many LA folks are excited about the new USC/UCLA football season, the Galaxy/Chivas soccer teams, and the Dodger/Angel baseball playoff push for wildcard spots. In addition, many folks can’t wait for the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Ducks to get back underway. We also have Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Def Leppard, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Roxette, and Gladys Night performing on either Friday or Saturday night of race weekend. As mentioned early, LA’s suburban sprawl offers many entertainment options.

That said, I’m trying to do my part. I’m taking my dad to ACS and am bringing a buddy of mine. Last time I was there for a race was when we lost Greg Moore =(

Anyhow, we’ve all got Saturday grandstand tickets, scanners, and pit passes!

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:16:29 +0000

To be fair, the track has run TV spots during the last 4-5 Indycar race broadcasts. This probably qualifies as preaching to the (small) choir, but they have done something.

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:13:13 +0000

I’m puzzled by the pessimism surrounding the attendance for this race. Not that there is any reason to expect it to be especially good, but that it is such a point of focus for so many. Cavin and Kevin have been especially down about it on their radio program, not once, but several times over the past few months.
It’s realistic to expect a small crowd, but I think it is unnecessary to bring it up repeatedly and more prominently than the other Indycar stories heading into the final race. (This is not a dig at you, George, but at the message board crowd that brings this up in every other post.)

Every indication I’ve gotten is that Fontana believes they can successfully promote two major racing events a year and they all but approached Indycar about hosting a race again. This is not something that can be said for many oval track promoters over the past decade.
I find this encouraging, and I hope the attendance and corporate support is enough to keep the track committed to hosting Indycar. Small crowd or not, I think this is quite possible.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:35:08 +0000

Tad, an excellent comment and one that I agree with. This year has been a rebuilding one and we were given a terrific year as well. The new car, a great week at INDY, ect.. Now, it’s grow the viewership time and I believe the ground work is now there for that. The INDYCAR sales story is the best it has been in a long time and that makes It time for pitching/bringing in new sponsors as well as the ones who are seriously considering signing up.

By: Scott James

Scott James — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:24:48 +0000

I have really noticed the difference between the radio and TV promotion for this race compared to anything NASCAR related here in the area. In fact, I’ve seen no TV spots. The location of the track, I’ve always thought, was perfect in that getting it away from the LA area makes it more desirable for people from a broader swath of So. Cal. Riverside, the High Desert area, LA and us down here in San Diego (I’ll have about an hours drive to get up there…and we in CA love to drive LOL). What my hope is having this race here, keeping the LBGP going and the possible addition of Indy-cars back in Phoenix will build up the open wheel base from days of old when the races held at the Ontario Speedway (located about 10 miles from the Fontana track of today) and the sadly closed Riverside Int Raceway always provided full grandstands and fun times. That’s gonna take some time and better marketing…but is very doable. Even moving the race up in Sonoma to the Fall would help, when tourism in that area is at its peak; in stead of as late in the summer as it is. That’s a beautiful track when it’s all greened up

The good news is…I’m a big guy LOL the space I take up will easily look like two people to the cameras And I’ll be there with bells on and camera loaded and ready to go at 7:00am Friday morning when the gates open

By: H.B. Donnelly

H.B. Donnelly — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:52:48 +0000

Well, you shouldn’t expect more than about 40,000 for this race as it is because, if you go to ACS’ website and check the ticket map for this race, they’re only opening about that much of the stand. That will help the track meet a bottom line with a smaller crowd since they don’t have to open all the concession stands or bathrooms or whatever, but it will look like crap on TV (like a Jacksonville Jaguars game or NASCAR at Dover)