NASCAR needs NYC more than NYC needs NASCAR

NASCAR's parade of cars in Times Square has never done much to get the hearts of New Yorkers racing during Champions Week. Nick Laham/Getty Images for NASCAR

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"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
-- Thomas Edison

As you read this, the busy metropolis of New York City continues to operate as normal. Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and the rest of the NASCAR faithful have settled into some comfy confines at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria, but most New Yorkers care more about chasing that taxi that just sped off rather than sneaking a peek at some of racing's brightest stars. The Victory Lap parade in Times Square, scheduled for Wednesday, has always been more about the traffic inconvenience than the beautiful display of stock cars rolling down Manhattan's busy streets.

That's not to say there aren't some excited New Yorkers overjoyed at NASCAR entering their neck of the woods; there are going to be fans of a major sport like this one pretty much in any town you go to in America. But no matter how many talk shows Johnson does, no matter how many appearances Gordon makes, the fight to make the banquet matter in New York has always been an uphill battle. I know the struggle firsthand; I lived in and around this city for 25 years, and have seen years where more people were pushing to get through the blockade in the street then actually stand gawking at drivers trading in their steering wheel for photo shoots and fancy suits in the biggest city in America.

But it's a spotlight the sport is soon looking to command somewhere else. After 27 years in the Big Apple, strong rumors persist that this week-long celebration at the Waldorf will be NASCAR's last; the event appears ready and raring to shift to the bright lights of Vegas for 2008 and beyond. On paper, it seems a smart move; with a race track already nearby and the shrewd promotion of octogenarian track owner Bruton Smith, the city will doubtless embrace NASCAR with open arms.

"I think we've worn out our welcome in New York," said Smith in September, busy lobbying for a move that would likely rake in millions more in revenue for his SMI facility out West. Smith put the chances of a move at 80 to 90 percent; realistically, it's around 50/50, depending on whom you talk to.

So, instead of giving it another shot, NASCAR could be on the verge of packing up their suitcases and leaving as the disenchanted tourist, ready to start a relaxing vacation somewhere else. After all, when the going gets tough, it's always easier to just back away than dig in your heels; but in this case, the consequences include a potentially fatal misstep in trying to attract a fan base that's long eluded them.

You can understand the urge to put down the battle sword. Truth be told, it's been tough sledding for NASCAR and New York City this year. In May, the parcel of land once earmarked for a 3/4-mile facility that would put Richmond to shame was put up for sale instead, the 675-acre site eventually being sold to a warehouse distributor. The move by NASCAR proved a shameful end to a three-year battle on Staten Island that never won the hearts -- nor the minds -- of constituents that never seemed to understand the passion cars going 'round in circles can bring. Instead, the noise and traffic were foremost on their minds; after a near-riot at a town meeting last year, the opposition won out, and now dreams of a track in the Big Apple are back at the equivalent of square one.

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