NASCAR, it seems, is doing everything possible to make the Clash at LA Coliseum as exciting as possible. For starters, the venue in itself is quite historic and one of a kind. Moreover, it will be headlined by a concert by global music icon Pitbull.
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Now, there are reports of a performance by yet another artist, although the name of the same hasn’t been revealed yet.
According to journalist Adam Stern, a 10-minute halftime-type show is on the cards. He wrote on Twitter, “There will be a break during the main race of @NASCAR‘s Clash @LAcoliseum for a 10-minute halftime-type show by a yet-unannounced artist that will be covered by Fox, on top of the pre-race @Pitbull concert.”
There will be a break during the main race of @NASCAR's Clash @LAcoliseum for a 10-minute halftime-type show by a yet-unannounced artist that will be covered by Fox, on top of the pre-race @Pitbull concert.
➖ NASCAR may also get new USC coach @LincolnRiley involved on race day. pic.twitter.com/3wwvQN2cXu
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 15, 2021
Naturally, fans on Twitter voiced their opinion on the idea of a half-time show. Some of them embraced the idea, while the majority of them absolutely rejected it.
Twitter reactions to this development
Halftime shows in racing? What’s next, artificial cautions? Oh wait
— Rusty Shackleford (@BubbaJ_R) December 15, 2021
Oof. They're testing this. Pretty soon, stages will be replaced by a halftime break in every race. I know the Truck Series used to have them, but breaks do not belong in auto racing.
— Leslie E. Jackson, Jr. (@leslie_jr1992) December 15, 2021
NASCAR has a HUGE opportunity here. Leading into Super Bowl week in LA, FOX switching it from FS1 to FOX… There is a big crossover opportunity. They need NFL stars and big promos.
— Chris Pettit (@ChrisPettit289) December 15, 2021
I don't understand why people are mad about NASCAR gimmicking up an exhibition race. They've always done that since 1985…
— nascarfan170 (@nascarfan170) December 15, 2021
This is what TV has wanted NASCAR to do for years. Fans, your opinion doesn't matter. FOX and NBC call the shots in these parts.
— Tyler (@tylergray88) December 15, 2021
I'm starting to wonder if there will be an actual race on race day
— Dakota Dickey (@JohnBeer41) December 15, 2021
How can a half-time show actually fare out in NASCAR?
It will be very naïve to say that the idea of a half-time show is absolutely an attempt to attract more audience and boost viewership. However, it’s also true that half-time shows work wonders in sports such as NFL, with the half-time shows at Super Bowl being something to look forward to every year.
However, where NFL gains and NASCAR will lose is the fundamentals of both the respective sports.
Football is played out in two halves with an interval or half-time in between, so there is already a break in the game as a part of the sport. Motorsports or car racing is played out continuously without any breaks excluding the pit stops, of course.
Imagine if the race in Formula 1 or an endurance race was halted at a fixed moment irrespective of the flow of strategies or the state of the stakes. It won’t be right and it could potentially hamper the thrill of the sport.
Moreover, this is an exhibition race we’re talking about. It is meant to be the way it is shaping to be. What’s important though, is that in an attempt to gain something, NASCAR shouldn’t lose its essence, something which fans are already very worried about.
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