This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit.

FansThe empty seats for Sunday’s rain delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway were staggering. You could argue there were still a lot of people in those 150,000 seats. But perceptions in a sports promotion are almost more important than facts.

A decade ago NASCAR was quick to say it was a challenge to the National Football League in the American sports industry. That was questionable then and a joke now. But let’s stay focused.

The people at Bristol wanted a smooth weekend without the weather delays. It was hoping to get NASCAR out of the way so it could transition the speedway to a football stadium by September 10th.

That’s when Tennessee and Virginia Tech will play a long awaited football game at the massive stadium. Officials hope the Battle at Bristol will set a new college football attendance record. Crews were supposed to be starting the change over today instead of watching cars race in circles.

It’s hilarious that the Night Race at Bristol has fallen so far down the list of importance. Sunday officials were hoping to get it out of the way so the people of eastern Tennessee could get to important things like college football.

Peace.