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In my honest opinion, NASCAR and Formula One are on opposite sides of the racing spectrum. NASCAR is widely viewed as a purely American pastime. Formula One is seen as the cutting edge and limit pushing international phenomenon. Why do race fans have such a difficult time following both?
Formula One comes out of the European Grand Prix popular during the 1920's and 1930's. It did not become known as Formula One until after the second World War when the Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile or FIA, set the rules and standards to govern the racing of F1. In the 2008 season, which has already begun, F1 will hold 18 races internationally. Unfortunately F1 will not be visiting the United States this season as they have in the past. There are a multitude of reasons that Formula One does not have a major following hear in the US. First of all, there are no American drivers scheduled to run in any races this season. I feel that many race fans have trouble rooting for foreign drivers they know little about. Another issue is the different style of racing that F1 represents. Every race course on the schedule is a road course or street course. There are absolutely no oval tracks. Road racing has never been as popular in the US as it is in Europe. Oval tracks have dominated American racing from the beginning.

NASCAR, as with F1, emerged in the 1920's and 30's. NASCAR races what are called "stock cars." These cars are built by either Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, or Toyota. The cars themselves are of course not stock, they are highly modified for speed. Considered to have some of the most loyal fans of any sport, NASCAR races reveal huge turn outs. Just in the past few years NASCAR has introduced 2 road courses in a attempt to please road racing fans. It turns out this was not as effective as NASCAR thought it would be. The two racing disciplines remain deeply divided and it does not seem that this will change anytime soon.
I personally believe that Formula One racing is more exciting. But I don't think enough is done to bring the sport to race fans in the US. It just isn't as interactive as NASCAR is. Things have been made easier by TV broadcasting all the F1 races here in the United States. I also think that at some point you just can't compare and contrast the two styles. Formula One is road racing and NASCAR is traditionally oval racing. The two defiantly attract different audiences, which at a certain point don't really relate as much as NASCAR or F1 want them to. So until Formula One does decided they want the North American demographic at a whole new level, NASCAR will continue dominate the American racing scene.

Learn more about this author, Thomas Coady.
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