Richmond NASCAR race may fail to sell out

By LOUIS LLOVIO
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Published: May 2, 2008

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Richmond-area NASCAR fans might have a chance to do something that many have been unable to do for 16 years: buy tickets on race day at Richmond International Raceway.

With less than 24 hours before the start of the Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250 today and 48 hours before tomorrow’s Sprint Cup Dan Lowry 400, tickets are still available.

Aimee Turner, spokeswoman for the track, said it hopes to announce a sellout by tomorrow. Ticket prices range from $35 to $110.

For the September and May events last year, a sellout was announced the Thursday before the race. Historically, all tickets are sold at least a week in advance.

But this year, large blocks of seats remain available, according to the Web site, http://www.RIR.com.

Track officials declined to say how many tickets remain for each race this week and refused to offer reasons why sales have lagged previous years.

Selling out could be more difficult because the track has added 11,497 seats since 2000. The total, 112,029, includes 4,932 seats built for 2007.

If it doesn’t sell out, this will be the first time the raceway hasn’t done so in 32 Cup events. The track hosts two NASCAR race weekends and an Indy League race each year.

But a drop-off in ticket sales could be attributed to the price of gas and other expenses, which could cut down on traveling, NASCAR officials say.

RIR President Doug Fritz said a good portion of attendance comes from people traveling to Richmond.

He said racing’s $221 million economic impact to the area comes from the nearly 400,000 people who visit on race weekends. Much of that money comes from visitors spending money at restaurants and hotels.

Windy VanCuren, a spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said travel agents at the agency reported high demand for rooms this weekend despite sluggish ticket sales.

“The consensus is that it’s hard to find a room. But hotels are not totally sold out,” she said.

Around the track yesterday, pop-up campers and tour-bus size recreational vehicles were starting to unpack and settle in.

While a tent city of partying NASCAR fans doesn’t give off the impression of an economic downturn, the issue is bubbling under the surface.

Dave Lowe of Frederick, Md., who made his ninth trip to Richmond for the May race, has made adjustments for rising prices.

Lowe said his usual crew of six travelers was cut by two this year. His brother and a friend couldn’t make it to because they couldn’t afford it.

The total cost of the trip, including tickets, gas and refreshments, is about $1,200. Divided by four, the weekend will cost Lowe about $300.

While he said he can afford the trip, he has cut back.

He set up a satellite dish outside his motor home with chairs and food and will go to tonight’s race but watch tomorrow’s on television.

By watching the race from his makeshift living room, Lowe said he’ll save about $110 and “there’s no line to my bathroom.”

But Lowe said he can see how economic problems can hurt attendance.

“I would imagine [economic problems] are going to start to really affect blue-collar workers,” he said. “It’s going to hurt this crowd in particular.”

Walking along a dirt path from the Azalea Avenue campground to get a better look at the track, Bill Gingerich and John Lapp of Plain City, Ohio, talked of how attendance has declined in the past year.

This was their first visit to Richmond, but they had been to the Bristol, Tenn., race this year and watched others on TV.

“We can afford [to come] because we’re retired,” Gingerich said. “But for some of the others who don’t have it as easy, this can be too much for them.”

The round trip from Ohio to Virginia will cost nearly $500 in fuel. They expect to spend several hundred more for food, tickets and refreshments.

“It’s not as easy to come out as it was five years ago,” Lapp said.

Gingerich said the up side could mean good things for the locals.

“I would hope that if less people are coming, more locals get the chance to come out and see the race,” he said.

Sipping his beer, Lapp added: “If they can afford the tickets.”
Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or .