Dialed In? Geographic Expansion and Regional Identity in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series

Abstract

In recent years, NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) has undertaken an aggressive campaign of geographic expansion. With the hopes of becoming a national sport, new races have been held in the Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami markets. While the traditional southeastern United States core continues to host the majority of races, some argue that expansion has resulted in a re-writing of stock car history and a decline of southern distinctiveness in the sport. Changing NASCAR Nextel (formerly Winston) Cup race locations, driver hometowns, and fan club membership will be considered as part of an attempt to assess the impact of NASCAR expansion upon southern regional identity.

Re-conceptualizing social anchors in community development: utilizing social anchor theory to create social capital's third dimension

“…In this example, the local government authorities worked with citizen groups and sports officials to complete the racing project while addressing public concerns. Moreover, as a physical institution, NASCAR events provide a platform for the interaction of thousands of spectators which frequently can be seen as a cross-section of American demography (Hurt, 2005). As a social institution, NASCAR initially served as a symbol of a region and as an institution with which many 'Southerners' drew an identity (Newman & Giardina, 2008).…”

Winston/NEXTEL Cup: the triumph of the spectacle

“…With the benefit of hindsight the answer to his query is clearly in the affirmative. Hurt's (2005) later work reflected on the pace of the nationalisation of the NASCAR sponsored events, concluding that it has not been as rapid as Pillsbury (1974Pillsbury ( , 1989 had anticipated. The NASCAR phenomenon has also been described as 'transcultural', suggesting that in its present state it benefits from both its local (regional) and national presence (Alderman et al, 2003).…”

Concrete Expressionism: Harley Earl, William France, and NASCAR Aesthetics

“…It is not a secret that stock car racing attracts white southern males (Hurt), an element of which continues to flaunt antiquated sentiments of race, gender, and regional superiority (Loewen). 1 In fact, NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) resists the inclusiveness initiatives prevalent in other sports, clinging to what scholars refer to as “paleo‐conservative whiteness” (Newman and Giardina 101).…”