Full Throttle

For the first time in history, a mixed martial arts event will be held in conjunction with a major motorsports event.

Racing fans and mixed martial arts fans will gather together for the “Rumble in Race Town”, presented by Xtreme Cage Fighting on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center.

“We are very excited to bring the incredible sport of mixed martial arts to Daytona during the weekend of the 500″, says promoter of the event, Doug Bland. “The reaction of the drivers I have spoken to about the event has been absolutely phenomenal, and we are looking forward to putting on a great show for the drivers and the mixed martial arts fans in Florida.”

Not a neophyte to motorsports promotion, Bland has promoted the Stacker 2® Xtreme Dirt Car Series and several other programs in a decade of affiliation with the sport.

“By pairing mixed martial arts together with the most prestigious race in motorsports, it allows Xtreme Cage Fighting the opportunity to present this upcoming sport to the 200,000 racing fans that will be in Daytona”, says Bland.

While not adverse to cross promotion, I’ve advocated Formula Drift as part of a Nationwide weekend to attract a “young crowd,” I’m not entirely sure how NASCAR will gain anything by this event, for a simple reason.

Tickets for the “Rumble in Race Town” range from $30 to $100.

What are the chances a Daytona ticket holder, one that is already stressed by high tickets to Speedweek events, will spring the additional bucks to see guys pound themselves into incoherence?

I’m thinkin’ slim to none. On the other hand MMA fans will probably see their skin-tone blanch whiter than white at NASCAR ticket prices.