In defense of NASCAR

[Dueller]

I know I'm gonna get flamed here, but here goes...

(And, nope this isn't about Mark Martin coming in second. But since you asked, NASCAR was in a damned if you do, damned if you dont situation. The way I saw it, Harvick was ahead when the wreck started, Martin came back around him, and Harvick repassed him. Had they thrown the yellow and declared Martin the winner, it would be even more controversial. Just my $.02)

I'm primarily a RR/sports car fan, but you have to give the France family creidt. They do know how to put on a show. For those of you who have never been to a NASCAR race, the racing can be quite good. Despite the "debris cautions", these guys are truly talented. (BTW CStreits comment "Yellow flags in NASCAR are the equivalent of folding chairs in pro wrestling...it keeps it interesting for the spectators" cracks me up...I use it all the time).

Yup, I understand the observation that the cars are "primitive" with tube chassis, 3400lb curb weight, pushrods, carbureators, steel wheels, truck rear ends, yadadadada. But for anyone who has looked at one of these machines they are in fact quite sophisticated...and some of the best and brightest engineers are working in NASCAR. They may talk slow, but they damn sure don't think slow.

Sure, its not as innovative as say F1, but these guys deserve some credit for what they are accomplishing within some pretty strict rules. For those of you who think itrs just turning left (except 2 weekends a year), consider this. When I set up a RR car, its pretty much equal side to side. But in the limited oval tracl racing I've been involved with, each corner has a different set up to make the car work...no small feat.

I just think these guys don't desrve to be dismissed...they are after all the 800 lb gorilla's in the racing world.

OK...start flaming me

[legion]

You are applying logic to motor sports.

I have notified the moderators. The beatings will commence shortly.

[Rearden]

Well said, Dueller. +1

[Dueller]

THIS was a shocking fact to me:

According to Robin Miller, resident open wheel supporter. NASCAR basher and Wind Tunnel pundit, the total purse for just the Daytona 500 at $18 million+, was more than all other forms of U.S. professional open wheel events combinedd for their whole seasons.

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by Dueller

I'm primarily a RR/sports car fan, but you have to give the France family creidt. They do know how to put on a show.

Yes, they do know how to put on a show but it tends to be at the expense of the races And since they took over the Rolex 24, they have proven that they are the WWF of the racing world.

[Jays72T]

NASCAR is making the races very tight so much so that the luckiest driver wins. Really any of the top 10-15 cars on the last lap had a chance of winning w/ the right push, in this case it was Harvick. I do think Sears and Watkins Glen are cool though.

[dd74]

NASCAR makes around $3 billion a year. It needs no defense.

[HardDrive]

Its just such seems like such a farce. They put theater over racing.

But if people enjoy it, good for them. There are millions of family's that go to the races together. Good. And at least the merchandising if for something cool (auto racing).

I think purists discount how important it is to have ANY auto sports out there making headlines. Nascar may not be your thing, but at least is keeps people interest in racing of some kind. Folks in Mississippi are generally not up on the latest in the world of F1.

[MichiganMat]

Todays race was most excellent, the ending was simply fantastic. I think Im a convert.

[Jay Auskin]

You can't knock a race where one of the drivers goes thru the checkered flag skidding upside down on his roof with the car on fire.

I was watching it thinking if F1, or other road racing for that matter, would "spice' up the production of the race, it could be more popular here in the US. People here want some instant amusement. Not some snooty announcer with a funny accent and an attitude.

[Dixie]

Yes, they do know how to put on a show but it tends to be at the expense of the races

And I see the other half of the glass.

There is no way it's not racing. Heck, it may be the most pure form of auto racing there is. Admittedly the cars are no longer stock cars. They're more like spec-silhouette cars. But when the traffic is four-abreast at times, and there is traffic at the end, it's racing.

If only F1 was 1/10th as interesting.

[JCF]

The cars are amazing and the drivers are damn good - but the format ...
"more show than go"
Do the guys in the pack (at this Daytona that would be all but 3 or 4 cars) even know they are in a race ? or are they just on the commute to work.

I do like watching them at the big road courses like the Glen.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
And I see the other half of the glass.

There is no way it's not racing. Heck, it may be the most pure form of auto racing there is. Admittedly the cars are no longer stock cars. They're more like spec-silhouette cars. But when the traffic is four-abreast at times, and there is traffic at the end, it's racing.

If only F1 was 1/10th as interesting.

I find it insulting. Abiet there was a well timed accident this time, from what I am reading, I did not bother to watch, so a phantom dangerous situation did not have to be contrived in order to throw a yellow and group the field back up for an exciting finish yet again. God forbid someone walked away with the win. The days of a driver dominating NASCAR appear to be over. Now its a matter of luck.

I watched a couple of races last year and was in amazement and wondered if anyone else noticed this BS going on or do we all be good fans and pretend its not an issue.

I'll take boring F1 anyday over what NASCAR considers "racing".

They lost me after 2 races last year and I could not waste my time watching this year.

[Noah930]

We tend to lump NASCAR all together. But there's a distinction between NASCAR the sanctioning body, and NASCAR the individual race teams. The sanctioning body may be sacrificing the purity of racing (as critics see it) for entertainment value--hence the folding chairs comment. But the race teams and their efforts are as noble/exciting/innovative as any other racers out there. For them, racing's racing, no matter what the discipline.

[URY914]

So Micheal Waltrip gets caught cheating, red handed, TWICE. He gets to start at the back of the pack for the big show. The guys that play by the rules (or at least didn't get caught) get to load up and go home.Sure that's fair. Don't want to piss off Toyota.

It's not about racing its about marketing.

[JCF]

Originally posted by Noah930
We tend to lump NASCAR all together. But there's a distinction between NASCAR the sanctioning body, and NASCAR the individual race teams. The sanctioning body may be sacrificing the purity of racing (as critics see it) for entertainment value--hence the folding chairs comment. But the race teams and their efforts are as noble/exciting/innovative as any other racers out there. For them, racing's racing, no matter what the discipline.

That is true - Roger Penske for one is no fool.
It would be different to be a part of it - but WATCHING it ? !
Like watching golf.

[cashflyer]

[JCF]

Three hours and 500 miles reduced to 4 pics. All taken within 20 seconds of the end.
That's what I'm saying.

[Super_Dave_D]

I wonder how many of the Nascar bashers have actually gone to a race (not a road course). I was the same way until I went to a race and then I was hooked. Nothing is better than having some obnoxious drunk pour beer down your back and getting hit in the head by a chicken bone!! Its awesome!!!!

[lendaddy]

I've been to Michigan and Bristol. Bristol was great and I would go again in a heartbeat. I would not go to Michigan again for less than $500, it was that boring and I'm not joking even a little bit.