All I have to say is you have to go to a race (if you haven't already) and allow it to reasses your opinion. I've been to many different types of races, from the old Can-Am series to the various Indycar series, and NASCAR is the closest thing to chess on wheels coupled with rugby. But you need certain acoutremont to really get the gist of what's going on. Scanners help so you can listen in on the drivers when they communicate with their pit crew, a small TV to see TV coverage, and sure, beer does help. ;)

Best part was Kirk Shelmerdine finishing 20th. He had no sponsor, some old Dale Earnhardt sr. fans took up a collection for tires. Shelmerdine used to be Earnhardt's crew chief in the 80's and helped him win 2 or 3 of his 7 championships.

For the small guys, running the Daytona 500 is nice because you're guaranteed $250k+ for starting. I wonder what it costs to build a car for that lone race.

I used to work for a company that sponsored a NASCAR team, I stand by my original opinion.

Have you been to a NASCAR race?

I have been to the past 3 California Speedway races and it is quite a thrill. I watched the Daytona 500 last weekend but didn't bring it up because their is usually more complaining about NASCAR than an appreciation for the type of racing that it is. Yes, it is racing. I try to watch almsot all the races, may favorites are the restrictor plate and road courses and of course Bristol because of the track set-up. It takes skill to not only set-up the cars but strategy to know when to stay out and when to come in and when to put 2 tires vs. 4 tires. Overall, just a great experience. I would love one of these days to get to see the race from the pit crew perspective.

Well yeah, I did get to go for free because of work. NASCAR is like a bad laxative. It just dont move me.

Why read this and post 3 times, then. Seems like you could find a better way to spend your time.

I think there is some misinfo here. Shelmerdine won 4 champs for Earnhardt and Childress. The guaranteed 250K is not true, AFAIK.
I don't have the payouts in front of me, but 1st was 1.5 mil, 2nd=1mil while 3rd was .75. It keeps dropping fast to end up with lots of 5 figure finishers. As I remember it, starting money is limited to pole position and winners of the qualifiers.

Now, I believe that there is some under-the-table money paid here and there. But to pay 250K to 43 cars and then pay the prize money doesn't sound correct.

The lowest payout for this year's Daytona 500 was $245k and change to Hermie Sadler's 40th place finish. No doubt the pay is less at other races, but I think small teams will make extra effort to field a car at Daytona. They are probably in it for glory as well as the nice payout. Unfortunately, if you don't qualify, you're screwed.

I have a tremendous respect for NASCAR drivers and the cars... anyone tracking a car at 180-190 has some serious ba11s.

I watched the race at my friends house who is a BIG NASCAR fan and we spent more time talking and drinking beer than watching. He knew the whole soap opera about the complicated relationships between all the drivers and their teams. At the end of it all I admitted it was fun to watch but at what they get paid I would expect the drivers to act more... mature... I then compared NASCAR to the professional wraslin of auto-racing... he agreed.