.

The Cup series never showed up, lots of racing all over the track, but the actual race isnt overly exciting, and its expensive AF to go. Used to be a fun time going, just the newness wore off.
 
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When nascar bought the track they got it at a !significant! Discount and they couldn’t make it go. America’s 8th favorite “sport” at best.
 
It failed for a couple reasons:
1. There was a lot of promise to bring the Cup series. Big names loved the racing at the track and raved about it. But NASCAR leadership never saw the need to bring a race there. When not owned by SMI, ISC, or NASCAR, it's extremely difficult to get a Cup race. Once NASCAR bought it, there was hope again. But they didn't run it worth a crap and they didn't want to put any money into it for infrastructure.

2. They gouged the fans. Concessions prices were extremely high, despite the track owners paying zero sales tax to the state of Iowa. They also didn't allow any carry in food/drinks in order to maximize concession sales. This runs contrary to many SMI/NASCAR owned tracks across the country. So when fans are watching the same lower series each year and paying high prices to attend, eventually fans get sick of it and just watch from home or find something else to do.

There was a lot of fail to go around from the start of the track. The initial projections were on the extreme high side, assuming the Cup series would be there in no time.
 
It failed for a couple reasons:
1. There was a lot of promise to bring the Cup series. Big names loved the racing at the track and raved about it. But NASCAR leadership never saw the need to bring a race there. When not owned by SMI, ISC, or NASCAR, it's extremely difficult to get a Cup race. Once NASCAR bought it, there was hope again. But they didn't run it worth a crap and they didn't want to put any money into it for infrastructure.

2. They gouged the fans. Concessions prices were extremely high, despite the track owners paying zero sales tax to the state of Iowa. They also didn't allow any carry in food/drinks in order to maximize concession sales. This runs contrary to many SMI/NASCAR owned tracks across the country. So when fans are watching the same lower series each year and paying high prices to attend, eventually fans get sick of it and just watch from home or find something else to do.

There was a lot of fail to go around from the start of the track. The initial projections were on the extreme high side, assuming the Cup series would be there in no time.
All of this and then add in the Boone and Knoxville speedways, most people would rather spend their dollars there.
 
Just gonna guess no one really wants to travel to newton to race at a generic race track.
 
1. Why build without agreements in place? At least in golf you can built a course for a major tournament and if it doesn't come, still have a beautiful course for people to play.

2. Another reason I hate the "economic development" incentives we give special projects. If a profit-enterprise can't make it in their own why are we subsidizing it? So we gave them a tax break and it still failed. So we basically have away free money? /Soapbox

I know indycar has the open cars and the Indianapolis 500, but that's all I know. How are the demographics different?

Your first point doesnt happen. You can't just build a PGA level course and expect one to come, people do still play but golf is dying to the average guy.
 
The pandemic has brought golf back in a big way in terms of participation.
Its no different than fishing or playing guitar though. Once the pandemic is over people will find better things to do and it will be just the die hards left and lots of used golf equipment for sale.
 
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