NASCAR lost it's identity years ago. They tried to expand from their Southern roots to one of national prominence, and in doing so they left behind the very thing that made them successful. That was the Rebel flag waving, whistling Dixie, good ole country boy, hard working, and hard playing redneck from below the Mason-Dixon line. Those people were the ones that not only drove the cars, but also filled the stands.
They left their roots behind about the time that Jeff Gordon began his rise to prominence. Here was a driver, and a good one at that, that did not come from the South, and one that NASCAR could promote and gain fans outside of the South, and become accepted on the national level. It's pretty well known that they picked Gordon as their man, and crapped on other drivers who's profile did not fit that of someone like Gordon.
Then they changed the format of the championship, kicked the mean and evil old Winston tobacco out, and tried to become even more of a national player. Things will never go back to the way they used to be, but this slide that NASCAR is one has been a long time in the making. They are reaping what they have sown.
