NASCAR is getting more innovative by the day. Ever since the sport opened in the 1940s, it has been parochial and confined to a small demographic. For the longest time, you could not have landed a job in the coveted motorsport unless you had internal ties or familial connections. However, the winds of change have already begun, with the sanctioning body tapping into its most precious resource.
For NASCAR, fans are ever-important. They help keep the nostalgia associated with the sport alive through their cheering and rooting for their favorite drivers. But this time, the sanctioning body requires something different from the fans—to get closer to the sport than ever before.
NASCAR opens its gates to fans
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When the Next Gen car debuted in 2022, it marked the beginning of a new era. One of the objectives of introducing this car was cost-saving. The use of universal chassis and composite bodies raised the possibility of layoffs. Yet it also meant new avenues of employment within the sport. Increased TV viewership and attendance followed the Next Gen car. Besides mechanics, crew members, or hands-on personnel who work in race teams, NASCAR also employs people who know the pulse of the fanbase.
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Currently, the sanctioning body is on the lookout for one such expert from among the fans. NASCAR posted a job recently – Coordinator, Digital Platform – with the following specifications. “We want you to bring your experience, skills, and passion to our close-knit, high-energy environment in which our employees thrive and where you can prosper. We know the key to our success is our employees and we offer highly competitive salaries, a solid benefits package focused on wellness, and opportunities for you to grow and develop both personally and professionally.” Also, “This person is responsible for providing coordination for the day-to-day technical operation of the Company’s digital platform (web properties and mobile), including products, applications, live video streaming, data feeds and social media integration.”
USA Today via Reuters Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series drivers Joey Logano (22) and Michael McDowell (38) lead the field during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the prospective employee would snuggle with the greatest of NASCAR racers! Former Stewart-Haas Racing president Brett Frood pointed out the hands-on aspect of working within the sport. “We are an industry that relies on live, hands-on interactions, so not idyllic for those looking for flexible or remote work arrangements. We’re also an industry that has worked extremely hard and competed throughout all the COVID challenges, and that probably triggered some pandemic burnout.”
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And NASCAR fans are extremely pumped about this opportunity, as many of them expressed their aspirations to join.
Fans are eager to join the bandwagon
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Getting to work with your favorite drivers at high-octane racetracks? Sounds like a gearhead’s dream, if you ask me! Well, many NASCAR fans felt the same when they got wind of the sanctioning body’s job posting. As the digital guru who has a solid grip over everything NASCAR-related, a prospective fan commented: “As someone who’s interfaced and made (personal) applications using NASCAR’s data feeds, this is definitely doable using points as of last race + current race live running/stage data.” Another fan is also confident about their chances: “I made and maintained SO many Geocities websites for HxC bands back around ‘99-‘04. I’m in!”
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Somebody was simply happy that NASCAR decided to tap into its nostalgic resource. “Thank you for looking at this group of nascar fans for this job opening.” On the flip side, some fans also raised their eyebrows at the terminology used. Somebody even drew the mention of ‘fan’ into question: “Seeking a “fan of the sport” means they’re hoping to hire someone on the cheap. I mean I’d probably apply, too, at a different point in my career, but a multibillion-dollar sanctioning body should be willing to open the wallet more for higher-quality talent.” Another person also highlighted the expenses that a ‘fan’ would need to face. “They are wanting a technically talented person who is a fan, will work cheap (laid off) and pay their own way to live in Charlotte if they aren’t already local.”
Nonetheless, NASCAR has caught the fanbase’s attention with its job posting. It presents an opportunity for the diehard motorsport fan to enter the inner racing circle of NASCAR.