NASCAR may have issues – but not like the NFL

NASCAR – Think about it, it is a family owned and organized organization that has been around since 1947, and NASCAR has never been faced with a strike such as other pro sports has.  The owners do play a part in the decision making, however, it is not like the NFL, MLB, NHL or NBA and for that matter the teams have a decision to make, show up and race by the rule book or find someone else to race.

In the last couple months I have been hearing about the NFLPA forming up to go on strike if the players did not receive a larger sum raise on their contracts.  Here is where I think that is lame.  These players make over 2 million plus, some even close to 5 million a season and they are fighting for an even bigger pocket book.  NASCAR had one strike that I can remember and it wasn’t over a payment dispute.  It happened at the first Talladega event when the drivers went on strike against the race track because of tire issues at such high speeds.  The race still went on and Richard Brickhouse went on to win the race.

Drivers in NASCAR get a base pay off of what they earn from appearances, appeal, sponsorship and TV advertising.   There is no union in NASCAR, as that was stopped years ago when drivers tried to start a union and the sports officials put a stop to it real quick.  So it is highly unlikely you will not ever see the terms of “lockout” or “strike” in this sport.  I think that when you compare some of NASCAR’s most highly rated drivers have salaries that are right there with some of sports other high profile athletes and I don’t see a strike formed at anytime.  And if the NFL does go on strike, there will be a huge ratings jump for NASCAR races on Sunday’s as well.