Nepotism or Family Tradition? A Study of NASCAR Drivers
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Peter Groothuis Ph.D., Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: Of the drivers who raced National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)
cup series in 2005, 23 out of 76 had family connections. Family career following is
not unique to NASCAR, it is common in many careers such as law, politics, business,
agriculture, medicine, and entertainment. Children enter the same career as their parents
for reasons of physical-capital transfer, human-capital transfer, brand-name loyalty
transfer, and nepotism. Using a panel data of NASCAR drivers from the last
30 years, the authors test to see which model best explains career following in racing.
Their results suggest that nepotism is not present in the career length. Sons do not have
longer careers than nonfamily-connected drivers, given the same level of performance.
The authors do find that fathers end their careers earlier than performance indicates.
Their results also show if nepotism exists, it occurs only with second brothers who
follow their first brothers into racing.
Nepotism or Family Tradition? A Study of NASCAR Drivers
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Created on 4/18/2012
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Groothuis, P.A. and Groothuis, J.D. (2008) Nepotism or Family Tradition?: A Study of NASCAR Drivers. Journal of Sports Economics, 9(3): 250-265. (June 2008) Published by SAGE. doi:10.1177/1527002507309990
- Language: English
- Date: 2008