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It use to be you had to get your seats for Bristol Motor speedway a year or two ahead of time and yet today there were way to many empty seats. What's up with that???
Many reasons for empty seats.
The ridiculous costs of everything- parking, admission, program, food, drink. And $4.00 gas to get there.
43 cars all exactly the same, using the same NASCAR approved engine, trans, rear, tires. If the name of the manufacturer wasn't on the car, you wouldn't know what it was. [btw- where can you buy a 2 door Impala?]Overly strict rules and regulations. Way too many 'yellow flags.' Many people have decided to stay home and watch the race on TV. But then there's even less people watching the race on TV these days. Could it be the people in the booth? I no longer watch FOX/Speed coverage because I don't like 'Larry'. Could there be a 'blackout' ala NFL at a track near you in the future? Or it could be as simple as people losing interest in NASCAR.
I agree somewhat with the previous poster, however I can add these two words to those reasons... Progressive banking.
Once they reengineered the track in 2007(?) to the progressive banking, the racing there has become totally boring. Bristol was the epitome of "rubbin' is racing". Drivers had a lot of incidental contact, sometimes resulting in cage rattling, bump & runs, and short tempers all leading up to a well deserved trophy to the winner.
Now it's considered to be the 1/2 mile version of the boring, homogenized, 1.5 mile cookie cutter tracks. I certainly don't watch racing for the wrecks, but I really want to see some action on the track!
The excitement of paying for tickets and travel to see the "best show in Nascar" is now less appealing since the Bristol races have become a humdrum affair that alot of fans literally fall asleep watching. I can vouch for that statement in all seriousness.
I agree more with Stripes17's theory when it comes to Bristol. I was a Bristol season tickholder from 1996-2011. I was on a waiting list for tickets for two years before Bruton Smith bought the track and started the massive grandstand expansion.
Ever since they redid the banking it's been harder and harder to find anyone who wants the tickets when we were unable to attend. Most of the time we were able to keep it in the family; other times they went on ebay. I never gouged anyone - if I broke even I was fine with it and was still able to sell rather easily. Last year I lost money for the first time.
Some of it can be attributed to the economy and NASCAR rules..I also think the March date hurts some.
But overall Bristol went from a place that you HAD to bump and rub to a miniature Dover. The racing is still good, it's just different than what the hardcore fans are used to. Some could say the races before the banking was redone were freight train races...one groove only. Now there is plenty of room, and a lot of long green flag runs.
It will be interesting to see what the crowd is like in August. I still say if you have never been to Bristol you must go. It is an amazing atmosphere at night. But again, it's still a little different.
Many reasons for empty seats.
The ridiculous costs of everything- parking, admission, program, food, drink. And $4.00 gas to get there.
43 cars all exactly the same, using the same NASCAR approved engine, trans, rear, tires. If the name of the manufacturer wasn't on the car, you wouldn't know what it was. [btw- where can you buy a 2 door Impala?]Overly strict rules and regulations. Way too many 'yellow flags.' Many people have decided to stay home and watch the race on TV. But then there's even less people watching the race on TV these days. Could it be the people in the booth? I no longer watch FOX/Speed coverage because I don't like 'Larry'. Could there be a 'blackout' ala NFL at a track near you in the future? Or it could be as simple as people losing interest in NASCAR.
Your ost only shows one thing ;tha you don't lke NASCAR racing.But others havig filled seats and the fact as poited out tat it was previously filed says something. One thing maybe however the rsiig cost and the quality of televison. Ceetainly beig able to see the car entriely on the track is a draw to live attnedance. perhaps the econmy?All racig has chnaged because of want more of a exciting race;look at F1 rule changes giving huge advatge to followig car to get some passing.
You guys have pretty much said what I have been thinking mostly about the $$$$$$$$. And also the sport has become very sterile.
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No need sticking around there. 
