NASCAR needs influx of youth

NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have come up with a unique stimulus plan to improve flagging attendance: babies.

Elliott Sadler, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson became first-time fathers this year. Juan Pablo Montoya added to his family. Jeff Gordon is expecting his second child this summer. Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Sam Hornish Jr. recently announced they would be adding to the NASCAR family within a couple of trimesters.

Look for the "Octomom" or Kate-minus-John-plus-eight to be honorary starters or grand marshals at upcoming races.

It now makes sense why NASCAR always has banned sponsorship from condom makers. And the loss of former sponsor Viagra apparently has not had an adverse impact on expansion plans.

With news this week that NASCAR has been fining drivers in secret for making disparaging comments about the quality of racing or officiating, it isn't farfetched that it would hand out bonuses for personal assists in expanding the fan base.

The drop in fan support, however, is a major issue and should be seriously addressed.

Brian France, NASCAR chairman and chief executive, seems to believe changing its season-ending, 10-race Chase playoff format will have folks scampering to the turnstiles. But that wouldn't have impacted Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where an estimated 140,000 fans came out to watch -- down from an announced crowd of 270,000 in 2007.

And crowds at most NHRA national drag racing events have mirrored the diminished interest in Cup races.

The Brickyard took desperate measures to sell tickets for the 17th visit by NASCAR. Some general admission prices were dropped to $40. The bolder move -- one that should be implemented at all racetracks -- was to admit kids ages 12 and younger for free with a paying adult.

That, my friends, is the best investment for racing's future. Jeff Belskus, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has committed to continuing the kids-free offer.

One exception to the downward trend in attendance at major races has been at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year's Cup and NHRA events were at near capacity and are near the top of each series' attendance rankings.

Sadly for Las Vegas Cup fans, a kids-free option isn't likely to hit the track.

A deal for kids might be feasible if the track were to get a second annual Cup race, but at this point that isn't likely to happen, according to Cup insiders.

Kids ages 6 to 12 can attend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Sept. 25 for $10, and the Oct. 28 to 31 NHRA national event offers a reduced rate for youngsters.

"I think we need to get young people into the sport," team owner Roger Penske said last weekend at Indy. "My dad brought me to my first race here (Indy) in '51, and I'm not sure if that hooked me or not. But we've got to get kids here, that's for sure."

Jeff Wolf's motor sports column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247. Visit Wolf's motor sports blog at lvrj.com/blogs/heavypedal/ throughout the week.