by Casey Camp

Created on: March 16, 2007   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

Being middle aged and a native North Carolinian, I have seen up close the staggering rise of NASCAR's popularity. And I still don't get it. More people are drivers now than say, 1969, and there are more cars, vastly more, on the highways. So is it simply a weird corollary to the law of averages at work here driving (no pun intended) this meteoric rise? Your guess is is as good, no, probably better, than mine. I feel like I have to make some effort to stay abreast of NASCAR doings in order to convey a kinship with folks 'in these here parts'. Therefore here are some theories I have entertained regarding this racing mania.

A car culture expresses itself regionally here in the United States. The "funny cars" and dragstrips originated in southern California. The "low riders" are popular with Latinos as are monster trucks in the Midwest, land speed records occur at Bonneville Salt Flats, and Indy style racing in various locations, like Michigan, Florida, and Indianapolis. So the car per se is a enormous icon in this country. NASCAR is like baseball in America. It may be a replacement. Almost everyone can identify with the 'stock' car. They have one. Or three. And they love seeing good ole boys drivin' the hell out of 'em, even with all the big money sponsors and the ramped up accoutrements. They see their car and their man out there and it's a lot of fun to spend a weekend taking in this show when it comes around.

I see another similarity between NASCAR and professional wrestling. Both start with a typical "stock" model and zoom it to the limits via horsepower or steroids. The fans love it because there is a familiarity to it all. They used to know a guy who was the toughest, loudest, meanest and now he is in the ring mixing it up with a good guy who is just barely stronger. It is all fixed of course, not NASCAR (yet), but the fans get to feel the power just the same. NASCAR has even added a little wrestling to its shtick lately with some fights at race end.

So, in summation, NASCAR is popular because of cars' popularity, fans' familiarity, and professional wrestling.

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