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Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory

Received: 10 March 2019     Accepted: 10 June 2019     Published: 30 July 2019
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Abstract

Research in consumer motivation might ignore auto racing sport that features the number one of fan attendance for single sport event in America. What would be the explicit motives to push individuals themselves or the incentives to pull the spectators with attractive benefits of NASCAR events? If motives exist among the NASCAR fans, would there be a need to discover them with an appropriate measurement tool? This study was conducted to explore specific motives of NASCAR spectators, and develop valid and reliable instrument underlying motivational theories. Participants (N = 650) voluntarily responded to Inventory of Motivation for Auto Racing Spectators (IMARS) in a NASCAR event. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were utilized to explore and confirm the 5-factor (Affiliation, Experience, Gratification, Socialization, and Substance) model with 15 indicators. The statistical analyses revealed acceptable goodness fit indexes of IMARS by the observed data (X2/df = 3/63, GFI = .95, CFI = .92, IFI = .91, RMSR = .036). The validities and internal consistency reliability were examined with satisfactory results. The essential motives were explored in this study and a reliable instrument for utility of NASCAR marketing professionals was produced. The study provided quantitative evidences to support the motivation theories and enriched spectator motivation in sport motivation literatures.

Published in American Journal of Sports Science (Volume 7, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11
Page(s) 78-87
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

NASCAR, Spectator Motivation, Self-determination Theory

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Yayun Liu, Leon Chen, Xiaofen Keating, Mark Still, Shihui Chen. (2019). Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory. American Journal of Sports Science, 7(3), 78-87. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11

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    ACS Style

    Yayun Liu; Leon Chen; Xiaofen Keating; Mark Still; Shihui Chen. Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory. Am. J. Sports Sci. 2019, 7(3), 78-87. doi: 10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11

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    AMA Style

    Yayun Liu, Leon Chen, Xiaofen Keating, Mark Still, Shihui Chen. Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory. Am J Sports Sci. 2019;7(3):78-87. doi: 10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11,
      author = {Yayun Liu and Leon Chen and Xiaofen Keating and Mark Still and Shihui Chen},
      title = {Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory},
      journal = {American Journal of Sports Science},
      volume = {7},
      number = {3},
      pages = {78-87},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajss.20190703.11},
      abstract = {Research in consumer motivation might ignore auto racing sport that features the number one of fan attendance for single sport event in America. What would be the explicit motives to push individuals themselves or the incentives to pull the spectators with attractive benefits of NASCAR events? If motives exist among the NASCAR fans, would there be a need to discover them with an appropriate measurement tool? This study was conducted to explore specific motives of NASCAR spectators, and develop valid and reliable instrument underlying motivational theories. Participants (N = 650) voluntarily responded to Inventory of Motivation for Auto Racing Spectators (IMARS) in a NASCAR event. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were utilized to explore and confirm the 5-factor (Affiliation, Experience, Gratification, Socialization, and Substance) model with 15 indicators. The statistical analyses revealed acceptable goodness fit indexes of IMARS by the observed data (X2/df = 3/63, GFI = .95, CFI = .92, IFI = .91, RMSR = .036). The validities and internal consistency reliability were examined with satisfactory results. The essential motives were explored in this study and a reliable instrument for utility of NASCAR marketing professionals was produced. The study provided quantitative evidences to support the motivation theories and enriched spectator motivation in sport motivation literatures.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Analyzing Motivation Factors for NASCAR Spectators with Self-Determination Theory
    AU  - Yayun Liu
    AU  - Leon Chen
    AU  - Xiaofen Keating
    AU  - Mark Still
    AU  - Shihui Chen
    Y1  - 2019/07/30
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11
    T2  - American Journal of Sports Science
    JF  - American Journal of Sports Science
    JO  - American Journal of Sports Science
    SP  - 78
    EP  - 87
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8540
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajss.20190703.11
    AB  - Research in consumer motivation might ignore auto racing sport that features the number one of fan attendance for single sport event in America. What would be the explicit motives to push individuals themselves or the incentives to pull the spectators with attractive benefits of NASCAR events? If motives exist among the NASCAR fans, would there be a need to discover them with an appropriate measurement tool? This study was conducted to explore specific motives of NASCAR spectators, and develop valid and reliable instrument underlying motivational theories. Participants (N = 650) voluntarily responded to Inventory of Motivation for Auto Racing Spectators (IMARS) in a NASCAR event. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were utilized to explore and confirm the 5-factor (Affiliation, Experience, Gratification, Socialization, and Substance) model with 15 indicators. The statistical analyses revealed acceptable goodness fit indexes of IMARS by the observed data (X2/df = 3/63, GFI = .95, CFI = .92, IFI = .91, RMSR = .036). The validities and internal consistency reliability were examined with satisfactory results. The essential motives were explored in this study and a reliable instrument for utility of NASCAR marketing professionals was produced. The study provided quantitative evidences to support the motivation theories and enriched spectator motivation in sport motivation literatures.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • College of Physical Education, Hunan University of Technology, Hunan, China

  • College of Physical Education, Hunan University of Technology, Hunan, China

  • Department of Curriculum Instruction, University of Texas, Austin, USA

  • Department of Sport Management, Delaware State University, Dover, USA

  • College of Education, Texas A & M University, Texarkana, USA

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