I always have felt like RJ Reynolds being replaced by Nextel as Cup sponsor after the '03 season was when things began to turn. That was when the Chase was first implemented and seemed to be when there began to be much more emphasis on drivers being clean-cut and sponsor friendly (e.g. Jimmie Johnson). IMO it started to become much less organic and more corporate/sterile. It seems like NASCAR has made some attempts to get back to that in recent years, but it seems they have lost too much of that core fanbase and they don't seem to be coming back.

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Posted by InkStainedWretch

Member since Dec 2018

1859 posts

Posted on 7/9/23 at 1:34 pm to Brummy

With a few exceptions, the drivers today are as interchangeable, and about as exciting, as pro golfers.

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Posted by Dobermann

Member since Sep 2008

2032 posts

Posted on 7/9/23 at 3:46 pm to Brummy

NASCAR and the race teams have sold their souls to tv and corporate sponsors. Sponsors pull the strings and are behind the stage/chase/playoff/overtime/competition caution gimmicks. They are trying so hard to engineer a close, down-to-the-wire finish for every race, and every championship. Core fans are walking away from the sport because they don’t care about a gimmicky watered down NASCAR.

NASCAR has seen its best days unfortunately

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Posted by tylerlsu2008

Monaco

Member since Jul 2015

1254 posts

Posted on 7/9/23 at 4:50 pm to Brummy

quote:
I always have felt like RJ Reynolds being replaced by Nextel as Cup sponsor after the '03 season was when things began to turn. That was when the Chase was first implemented

Agree with this. I recall Nextel and The Chase being a turning point in my mind.

I still refer to them as Winston Cup and Busch out of habit