No one disputes that the NFL is more popular than NASCAR. While NASCAR has made gains, touchdowns still rein over slingshot moves to the lead.

Being a western Pennsylvania native, I am already bombarded with news of the Steelers at training camp. My local news’ website has already adorned their front page with a ‘Steeler’s training camp info’ area, and on recent newscasts the announcers share such information as the best places to hang out to attempt to snag a Steeler autograph. As this Pittsburgh team will be playing in the ‘Hall of Fame Game’ this coming weekend (against New Orleans in Canton OH), I am sure that the newsbytes will be more frequent every day. It is only the beginning of August, but I am sure many Steeler fans are already getting their Steeler gear out of the closet, and shaking the dust off of their ‘Terrible Towels’.

While all of this is okay with me (it is possible to be a football fan when you are a confirmed NASCAR fan as well), I always make a mental note to begin putting together my emails or letters-to-the-editor to the local news media this time of the year. With my one small voice, I try to reinforce to sports editors everywhere that while football season is looming, the NASCAR season is still in full swing. As all NASCAR fans know, we are nearing some very pivotal races in our season that will determine the final twelve racing warriors who will be competing for the championship.

That is the point: NASCAR fans know it, but I am not sure all of the members of the sports media know, or more importantly, care a whole lot.

It is up to us, NASCAR fans, to make our newspaper, radio, and TV sports departments aware that there are many of us out there who are eagerly anticipating each Cup race, there are still sixteen of them left, and we want them covered with the same effort as before the football players start their training camps.

One more thought: If you have read this far and are thinking to yourself, “Geez. I wish the sports media in my area would pay more attention to NASCAR all year long”, then you have just given yourself an even more urgent reason to open up your office program and start writing some messages yourself.