Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 | 9 p.m.
When times are tough, people need to escape the stress of everyday reality. And throughout the rough patches in this nation’s history, people have escaped by enjoying some form of entertainment that can provide a respite.
It has recently been reported that sales of video games are brisk. And the opening weekend of the recent James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace,” raked in a whopping $67.5 million. So, even in tough economic times, people are willing to spend what money they have on affordable entertainment.
It’s unfortunate that NASCAR isn’t one of these affordable forms of entertainment. Only a blind man wouldn’t have noticed the large number of empty seats at several of the races during the 2008 season. We all know that operating a racetrack is a business and that a business has to be profitable and must keep its shareholders happy. But ticket prices are keeping fans from attending races, and the worsening economic climate indicates there could be more people watching from their couches next season.
Now, obviously you can’t make tickets to a race as affordable as tickets to a James Bond movie, but it’s time for the ticket prices to come down.
Michigan International Speedway has already made the move in announcing that it will lower prices for the 2009 season. General admission seats will be $40. Considering the price of popcorn, candy and soda at the movie theaters, these race ticket prices just might be competitive with a 007 film.
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During the off-season, I’m often asked if I continue drawing the StockcarToons. The answer is yes. The StockcarToons will continue to be posted every Thursday.
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