The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA): Success and Future Challenges

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• The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA)
  Success and Future Challenges
• Beth Goodson, Freshman (Motorsport Management)
• Dr. Travis Teague, Associate Professor

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The Automobile Racing Club
of America (ARCA) got its start in the early
1950s. Since that time, the series has grown
along with NASCAR to be an influential force in
modern stockcar racing. This project focused on
the historical perspectives of ARCA, major events
and personalities in the series. In addition,
challenges that face ARCA and other forms of
motorsports were examined. METHODS A review of
literature was conducted that focused on the many
facets of ARCA racing. In particular, the focus
was upon historical perspectives, events and
personalities, and challenges the series faces
after 50 years of functioning as a sanctioning
body in motorsports. RESULTS The results of
the project noted that NASCAR had a substantial
impact on the development and early success of
the Automobile Racing Club of America. Results
also indicated that the challenges faced by ARCA
racing today are similar in nature to the
obstacles facing other forms of motorsport in
both the U.S. and internationally. CONCLUSIONS
ARCA racing has become a successful stockcar
racing series in the United States. Many drivers
have graduated on to the highest levels of racing
in todays NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The
challenges facing ARCA racing are not unlike
those in other forms of motorsport. In
particular, the issues of enhancing cultural
diversity and competing against NASCAR for the
racing fans discretionary dollar are significant
challenges that need to be addressed in the
future.

• KEY FINDINGS
• The success of ARCA is closely linked to the rise
  of NASCAR in the United States
• While currently being addressed, cultural
  diversity within ARCA, as most forms of stock car
  racing, is limited
• Research is being conducted to better understand
  this issue and develop benchmark data to enhance
  diversity in the sport
• As NASCAR is the most prevalent motorsport venue
  in the U.S., ARCA will continue to find
  difficulty in competing for fans

Competing Against NASCAR Racing

• CONCLUSIONS/QUESTIONS
• ARCA racing has strong roots within the history
  of American automobile racing. Will NASCAR
  continue to seek this association?
• The challenges that ARCA faces are both
  economical and cultural.
• Will ARCA follow NASCARs lead by developing
  specific programs designed to enhance diversity
  within its form of racing?
• Will NASCAR continue to support the ARCA
  series? If not, will the fan base be strong
  enough to support ARCA?

• Television
• NASCAR racing is the number two(2) sport with
  regards to TV ratings (45 since 2000)
• At least 10 TV shows specifically covering
  NASCAR
• Weekly broadcasts in more that 150 countries in
  over 30 languages vs. ARCA broadcasts regionally
  on SPEED and ESPN
• 61 of auto racing fans indicate NASCAR as their
  favorite form of motorsports (ARCA is less that
  2)

• Spectators
• 75 million adult NASCAR fans in U.S.
• NASCAR is the number one spectator sport in the
  U.S.
• 185,000 average attendance (Larger than Super
  Bowl, NBA Finals game, and World Series game
  Combined)

• Diversity
• 8.6 of NASCAR fans are African-American (Data
  not available for ARCA)
• NASCAR programs include Drive for Diversity,
  Internship Program, College Tour, Supplier
  Program, and UYRS

References ARCA Archives, 2008. Retrieved
April 8, 2008 Website http//www.arcaracing.com
MacGregor, J. (2005). Sunday money
Speed! Lust! Madness! Death! A hotlap around
America with NASCAR. New York Harper Collins
Publisher Inc. NASCAR Fact Sheet, 2006
Penn, R. Kerkles, J. (2008, March 25th).
Formal presentation given at Michael Waltrip
Racing, Mooresville, NC. Racing Basics.
Retrieved April 8, 2008. Website
http//www.nascar.com http//chicagolandspeedway
.com

• Sponsorship
• More Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR
  than any other sport
• 28 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies involved
  in NASCAR