Hmmm...CNN had a segment on NASCAR politics. They conducted a small, informal poll at a big southern race, and found fans for Bush and Kerry are pretty much evenly split.

Also interesting is an article I read about how the Detroit three are considering pulling out of NASCAR, because the race cars, aside from their body shape, no longer have anything in common with the production cars. Tube frames, hand-built suspensions, antiquated engine technology, four-speed transmissions, are something GM, Ford and Dodge do not produce - only a handful of fabricators and engine builders out there build what is the Nextel car. Hence, the big three feel they have little to gain in helping with sponsoring teams.

Win on Sunday ... Sell on Monday will always work for the Big3 - the brand name that won is all they care about. They aren't going anywhere - not until Toyota starts spanking them at their own game (and they aren't far off).

Dodge and GM are still using tried and true pushrod V8 technology everyday ... albeit with much more modern induction and control systems. Ford is all but done with pushrod engines. Yates and Roush did/are doing some NASCAR modular engine development, but that would make them the only "modern engine" player ... and at a higher consumables cost.

Maybe in your neck of the woods, but as far as I know, less people these days identify the Taurus and Monte Carlo with 200+ mph cars. The Taurus and Monte Carlo are more identified with rental cars.

No doubt ... hence the reason the Taurus is going away - something like 60-70% of its sales is in fleets - that's staggering.

I haven't been keeping track and I don't know what Ford has planned for the next NASCAR body - doubtful it's the 500 (the Taurus replacement) ... has the aero of a brick.

I'd be worried about anyone who believes a Taurus, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix or an Intrepid is a 200 MPH car ...

However, with the RWD Chrysler 300, or Magnum, with a Hemi... Aerodymanics be hanged, at least they would have more in common with a "street" car than anything else on the grid. Even with the "different" bodies, when they're in primer, without the decals to represent the grill and headlights,its hard to tell a "Dodge" from a "Ford" or "Chev". Sure are fast and loud though.

I thought all the bodies are indentical this year. This eliminated the claims of aero advantage.

Anybody else here catch the Cali race yesterday,catching the brief glance of "herbie" on the track? Gotta give NASCAR credit for being masters of the PR game...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1094489967.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1094489994.jpg

I got seats right outside of Turn 1 on the track. I have never seen so many people in my life. Over 100,000 people all in one place.

You need to experience 112K+ here at the Big House (UofM football stadium) to fully experience a mass of humanity in a very confined space ...

I hope the parking was better organized in CA. MIS is notorious for hideous parking - usually it's 6hrs in for a 3hr race and then 6hrs out ... kinda takes the fun factor out.

Largest crowd I've had to deal with was 250k. Not fun and I avoid crowds now if at all possible.

With parking it was about an 1 hour in and 1 hour out including walking but they parked us about 3 miles away from the track and we had to walk back to the car after the race. It was a pain in the *** for California because we are so used to finding a space right away and it being relatively close.

Thats funny as hell. I watched about 5 minutes of the race early on and thought I caught a glimpse of Herbie's stripes. I just assumed I was having a flash back.

They are filming a movie. Hugh R works for one of the studios. He posted some pictures awhile back of the all the cars Disney bought for the movie. I would love to build a replica. I saw one of the originals at the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA.