My Thoughts On The NASCAR Anti-Trust Lawsuit

By David G. Firestone

I’ve been thinking about the NASCAR anti-trust lawsuit. The question that’s come before this whole thing is “Is NASCAR a monopoly?” Well, the obvious answer is yes, it clearly is. But the bigger question that should be discussed is “is that a bad thing?” From where I sit, I say that it isn’t. Now before you light your torches and gather your pitchforks, just hear me out.

Let’s say we are living in an alternative timeline where stock car racing exists , but NASCAR never gets founded. What would happen? Either another sanctioning body becomes what NASCAR currently is, or something like the National Wrestling Alliance forms, but instead of wrestling territories, it oversees regional stock car groups. In either event, both entities would be critical to the sport’s survival.

One of the big issues that NASCAR has and is dealing with are bad racing promoters. Guys and gals who will promise stock car racing to make a quick buck off the fans, and then disappear with the cash. This was one of the reasons NASCAR was a necessary evil. Before regulation, there were a lot of promoters and track owners who were seedy to the umpteenth degree, and NASCAR rooted them out. This is also the case for teams, drivers, owners, sponsors, and various other things related to the sport.

Is NASCAR perfect in this respect? Absolutely not. However, it has done a good enough job to keep the bad elements out and keep the sport legitimate. It’s the same no matter what sport you are talking about. Say what you want about the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB or whoever, at the end of the day, they are all tasked with keeping the sport in line, the good elements in, and the bad elements out. Sometimes individuals might get thrown under the bus, but that happens in every industry.

At the end of the day, it’s NASCAR’s sandbox. You might want to play, but they own the box, and they own the sand. If you think you know better, go ahead and try, but it probably won’t work. NASCAR will always put the product over the teams should the situation warrant, and sometimes that won’t work out well for some.

Now, when it gets to 23XI and Front Row, they need to consider this: Did you really, after everything that happened, think you could possibly force NASCAR to capitulate to better terms? How? How did you think this would go? There were years of fruitless negotiations between NASCAR and the teams, and the final deal was the best you could get. The fact that two teams had the idea that they could force NASCAR to renegotiate the contract after everyone else fell in line is baffling. This was not a good situation, but two teams trying and failing to get blood from a stone is just moronic.

I have no idea when it became the individual employee over the company, but it is not a smart idea. The overwhelming majority of employees in companies are expendable. If a company can fire the CEO, you honestly think you aren’t getting sacked? I can get sacked at any time. I’m replaceable, you’re replaceable, we all are! If KFC can survive without Harland Sanders, you think you are secure? NASCAR existed long before Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing existed. They aren’t as critical to the existence of NASCAR as they think, and if they go under, they will be replaced. Sometimes, you just have to cut your losses, suck it up, and sign the deal.

Another detail that has come to light is that, as part of the proceedings, sponsors can leave the teams. Well, this is another aspect where Front Row and 23XI should be worried. This isn’t 1996 anymore. Sponsors aren’t as loyal as they once were. If they feel like they won’t get the exposure, a better option is available, and they can leave, they will. This is compounded by the fact that, as I’ve discussed, sponsorship money isn’t as plentiful as it once was. If I am an employee of Front Row, or 23XI, I’m thinking positive, but getting my resume ready…it might come in handy sooner rather than later.

All in all, this whole situation is a mess, and I don’t think that the teams will come out on top here. If that’s the case, than they will join the ever growing list of defunct teams in NASCAR. It sucks, but life is unfair, and the sooner you accept it, the better.

With that, I’m done, and now we’re going to switch to the Paint Scheme Awards for next week.