NASCAR 2016: One hell of a year.
Chapter 1. The day that changed everything.
The day was January 16th, 2016. The time: 6:30 PM.
Brian France was organizing a meeting of NASCAR's board of directors in Charlotte, NC.
"We have been experiencing several troubles recently. Ratings have been going downhill, sponsors are leaving, and now some drivers are jumping ship to Indycar. We need to do something to stop the spiral. How did this all begin?" Asked Brainless Brian.
"I think it was when we made the Sprint 60 Unlimited part of Ford Championship Week. People want to see actual racing, not tweeting for the win". Said Robin Pemberton.
"Or maybe it was when started adding cautions every 20 laps during last year's Chase." Said Mike Helton.
"Or maybe it was when Zach Buckner started doing the commentary". Said Steve O'Donnell.
"You guys are all wrong!" Blurted out Brian. The reason why NASCAR is dying is because we don't have enough gimmicks! We need to add more! Let the fans vote on eliminations! Let the jet dryers race during rain delays! Make a NASCAR reality TV show and air it every week! Give the fans what they want!" Said Brian.
"But sir, that isn't what the fans-" Robin started.
"QUIET!" Interrupted Brian. "It's what we want. Add field inversions! Stunt jumps! Reset the points to zero before the final race for everyone!"
"But this will just turn our fans away!"
"But it will bring in more!"
"Stop arguing!" The directors were shocked to find Jeff Gordon in the room. "This is exactly why I retired from NASCAR in the first place. All these new gimmicks have been driving me crazy! Dale Jr hasn't been the same since Zach started calling him DJ Craze! Before every race, he mopes in the corner, saying how he wishes the nightmare would end!"
"You would have retired either way. You announced it before we added the new gimmicks" Said Brian.
"I guess you have a good point." And Jeff left the conference room.
"If only there was some miracle that would bring NASCAR back to its glory days."
Suddenly, they heard a colossal noise. "What was that?" Steve asked.
They saw Mike Helton standing by the window, shaking and pale. "You guys better look outside." He nervously stated before fainting.
"What is it Mike?"
The people stood up and walked over to the window of the small room. What they saw almost made them faint as well.