Your information on the Daytona 500 is incorrect; the race drew a 10.1 final Nielsen rating on FOX -- tied with Game 6 of the NBA Finals and lower than the rating for 4 of the 5 World Series games.

Bash NASCAR all you want, but if you continue to ignore it, you'll be out of a job in 5 years.
The real issue with SportsCenter is the lack of highlights in general. I remember in the mid 90's when SportsCenter was 30 minutes long, and chock full of highlights and JUST highlights. These days we are "entertained" for 90 minutes with fluff such as the Budweiser Hot Seat, and an excessive amount of anaylsis from those who could, but no longer can. Not to mention the "Ultimate Highlight" which by definition is neither ultimate ("the" highest, non subsidiary), nor A highlight ("a" memorible event) but rather a string of clips shown out of context, accompanied by whoever's producer paid the most to have their song on SportsCenter.
In the end, it's all about the Benjamin's. And that's where Nascar reigns supreme. Despite being openly ridiculed by most elite broadcasters and journalists, Nascar is the 2nd most popular sport in the United States. But most importantly, like all sports, it's 100 times better in person. If you've never been to a race, you don't understand. You'll get your money's worth. Tickets are cheaper than NFL games, races last longer than baseball or hockey, and you can bring your own beer. Try getting away with that in Yankee Stadium.

Hey kid, get with the program! Nothing more boring than watching a basketball game!
Racing and football is where the action is!!!! At last the sports channels are beginning to
realize that more are interested in racing (all types) and football next than in any other sport.
Glad to see them finally covering racing!!!!!!!!! I Love RACING!!!

Kurt Busch drives the #2 miller lite dodge, his little brother, Kyle, drives the #5 corn flakes chevy. So his gear has the kelloggs roster or tony the tiger logo on it. But more to your point, nascar fans dislike both Busch brothers because they are jerks, not because of lack of talent. Jr. or Jeff or Tony or any of the big names have millions of fans because after they screw-up and cause a big wreck, they stand up on live tv and say "it was my fault". something the stick and ball sports stars almost never do.

well kid you are really what the wisconsin college system is all about. pollitical, ignorant and a complete jerk. just like most of the professors. you blab about things you have no idea about and its sad thats what their teaching you. you do kind of look like an idiot.
bye jerk

I guess you have not been watching ESPN for very long. They used to cover NASCAR racing back in the 80's and 90's before FOX and NBC outbid them.

Well Kid,

You seem more narrow-minded than most in a group you are trying to pick on.
Stick to your "real sports".

How typical: "My sport's better than your sport!" "All NASCAR is is guys driving in circles!". Get a life, man! I had given up watching all of your so-called "real sports" many, many years ago, while the super-overpaid "athletes" collect their multi-millions whether or not they play; when pampered babies spit at umpires and get away with it, when uncountable court and gridiron "heroes" get so full of themselves that they forget how to obey laws. To each his own! I don't personally watch golf or tennis, but at least, like NASCAR, if they don't do well, they DON'T GET PAID! You probably don't consider these "real sports" either, because it's not a "team sport". Nothing bores me more than watching a bunch of tall, skinny guys run from one end of a gymnasium to another, throwing a ball through a little circle! OH, and how about going to a boxing match and watching a hockey game break out? Have fun sitting on your sofa eating your pizza and clicking your little remote all weekend long. If you're lucky, you may even be able to recite all those stupid worthless statistics that all your other "real sports fan" buddies spew ad nauseum over the course of your pathetic lives.

If you would come to Talladega on April 29th you would change your tune. NASCAR racing is the most exciting event you will ever attend. I watch many sports and attend University of Tennessee football games which are very exciting. But nothing compares to NASCAR. Trust me. It would pay for you to do a little research.

I read your article because I have friends from Eau Claire. One of which is a very talented and educated musician by the name of Matt Wahl. He moved to Tennessee last year and was very open minded about NASCAR and actually went to a race in Atlanta (I didn't go). I'm OK with NASCAR, but for me its the lesser of several evils. Baseball, Football and Basketball are full of overpaid look at me punks that I can't stand to watch on TV. I can tolerate NASCAR because the guys are pretty normal, extremely overpaid, but pretty normal. I'm saddened that you represented Eau Claire so poorly, I'm sure there are more Matt Wahl's than guys like you. Sorry you missed your highlights.

i grew up in a small town in maine,with a dirt track in it.(since paved). i attended one race with my dad and little brother,boring,could see for the dirt and dust. in 1980 i moved to charlotte nc. i attended the coca cola 600,the sights the sounds ..and the feel! was incredible. we were on top of a motor home in the infield, at the end of the national anthem..humpy flew a b1 bomber over the track.the after burners kicked in and the hair went up all over my body..everywhere you looked people's mouths were agape.the most patriotic moment of my life to date..i'm 49 years old...and helll yea i'm a race fan!!