Chase for the cash : the evolution of NASCAR as a postmodern sport / by Michael B. Edwards.
| Author/creator | Edwards, Michael B. author. |
| Other author | Estes, Steven G., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Exercise and Sport Science. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2006. |
| Description | 120 leaves ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The purpose of this thesis is to explore the historical evolution of NASCAR auto racing. In the new millennium, stock car racing has quickly achieved a level of success unprecedented in the American professional sport industry. NASCAR racing has become one of the most popular spectator sports in America with reportedly 75 million fans. representing one-third of thee United States adult population. In just under 20 years. NASCAR racing has evolved from being largely overlooked by mainstream America and the mass media into one of the country's most important spectator sports. As the sport continues to grow, and rapidly expand to new facilities and new markets throughout North America, contemporary top-level NASCAR has seemingly become a commercialized entertainment spectacle, with an emphasis on corporate sponsorships, interactive television and internet broadcasts, and subject to increased capitalistic and market influences. These characteristics are indicative of changes within the contemporary American sports landscape. Scholars have introduced a new model of postmodern sport to explain fundamental changes to contemporary sport. These developing theories of postmodern sport derive their origins from the works of Lyotard, Baudrillard, Hassan, Jameson, Harvey and other postmodern philosophers. This paper examines top-level NASCAR within the context of postmodernism and determines that many of its contemporary characteristics fit into the framework of postmodern sport. First, it investigates scholarly theories of postmodernism, including the breakdown of metanarratives, the mediazation of culture and rapid rise of communications technology, the emergence of postmodern consumer culture, and flexible accumulation. Second, it explores connections between postmodernism and contemporary sport while presenting an expanded analytical framework of postmodern sport. Third, it presents specific characteristics illustrative of NASCAR's emergence as postmodern sport including its fragmentation, hyper-commercialization, emphasis on entertainment, mediazation, and globalization. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. |
| General note | Advisor: Steven G. Estes |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 2006 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-120). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | History. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
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