Biggest annual U.S. sporting events

1. Super Bowl
2. NCAA Basketball Tournament
3. Jan. 1 Bowls/BCS Championship
4. World Series
5. Daytona 500
6. Kentucky Derby

The Indy 500 probably used to be in Daytona's spot (or flip flopped with the Derby) until they self destructed that sport.

And I wouldn't be surprised to see Daytona eventually jump to 3rd on the list; NASCAR does a fantastic job at marketing their sport and recently at making Daytona feel like a 'big time' event. Plus, they get the lead-in all January from the football playoffs to build up the exposure.

 

When boxing really was a major sport, a good heavyweight fight could edge its way onto this list.

I know its not annual, but at least once a year, the heavyweight division gave us one classic battle each year.

 

NASCAR's at a crossroads. The current vehicles of choice are not producing
compelling racing, and that's what they've got to sell.

 

They need another Petty or Dale (no, not Jr., either).

 

Not to mention that the good ol' boys can't be too thrilled about the success of
Toy-Yo-Tah.

 

NASCAR can (and does) sell the driver personalities as much as the racing: Stewart, Gordon, Johnson, Junior, and newer names/faces like Edwards and Kyle B.

The caliber of the on the track racing may be discernable and matter to the hardcore, long time NASCAR fan.

But, for the mainstream audience--the growth audience--it's the names that bring the viewing eyeballs.

One could argue (ok, I will) that the Indy racing in itself is more exciting than NASCAR (faster speeds, sportier vehicles), but they lost their grip on the American psyche because the splintered their drivers, diluted their combined personality, and NASCAR stepped in, primarily riding Earnhardt and Gordon at the start.