Nascar

[97prizm]

I haven't been to a NASCAR race in years and I don't miss it but I do watch some on TV. I do still attend local dirt short track races and both series have at least one thing in common; lots of empty seats! I don't know if it is racing's fault or the fact that there are so many other entertainment options these days as opposed to when I was a kid in the late 1970s and beyond. My option back then on a Saturday night was to stay home and watch the Love Boat with my folks on the one TV or go to Flemington Fair Speedway. Easy choice but you had to get there early to find a seat. Today, I can't drag my son to a race no matter how hard I try. And when I go, there is no rush, plenty of seats available.
As far as NASCAR, I don't mind the stage racing aspect but I don't want to see a caution at the end of the stage. Let the stages be just an incentive to race hard throughout the race, not like a little race within the race. I also find road courses, not street circuits, more entertaining than ovals. I was never an Earnhardt fan but his impact on the sport when he was racing was undeniable. His death was an even bigger impact. For me, something changed that day. Maybe there is just no longer such a polarizing figure out there anymore. You either loved him or hated him, not much in between. Denny Hamlin maybe, but he aggravates people more with his mouth than anything.

I saw somewhere that an outlet interviewed a NASCAR safety inspector. He said Dale Earnhardt brought in so many fans ie (Ticket sales) and tv viewership that in many cases his car was waived through tech inspection. The weird thing is that with all of the money that he made he didn't wear a HANS device which I've been told he would have lived.

 

[loneryder]

Weather was a factor at the Dover race which is probably why a lot of seats were empty. I went to Pocono the year before and Michigan the year before that, and stands were packed full. The Brickyard 400 a few weeks ago was a sellout race.

Yes. 358 cu in pushrod V8s. Fuel injected. Independent rear suspension. 5 speed sequential-shift manual transmissions.

The Xfinity cars are still carbureted and still use a solid rear axle and 4 speed H pattern transmissions.

There were hardly any people at the Brickyard 400. Huge areas of seating were covered. The main grandstand at the start/finish had lot's of empty. I know sometimes the announcers say it's sold out and you see tons of empty seats. A decade or more ago, you had to know somebody to get tickets. Not anymore.
The most boring races to me are the speedway drafting races. No skill involved , just luck.

 

[AndyB]

I’m going to go out on limb here and say NASCAR should return to a “Saturday night” format at some races. Qualify, heat races, a dash for cash, last chance, and a feature race. Keep the laps reasonable (20 lap heats, 25 lap dash, and a 75-100 lap feature).
Make the racers race. Throw some big money at the “dash for cash”. Qualify or draw for heat line ups. Just an idea to bring some racing back to NASCAR.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[Bonz]

NASCAR should just race on Saturday night, gives an extra day in case of weather and races are flat out more exciting under the lights. I don't see a need for change in format, just qualify on the same day or move it back to Friday.

 

[#18FAN]

You have big problems if for example in Iowa the ARCA cars ran faster lap times then the premier Cup Series that’s a major issue.

 

[Dave P.]

NASCAR should just race on Saturday night, gives an extra day in case of weather and races are flat out more exciting under the lights. I don't see a need for change in format, just qualify on the same day or move it back to Friday.

One reason that they have traditionally avoided Saturday night racing is so it didn't impact local Saturday night short track racing.
They didn't want people staying home and watching NASCAR instead of going to their local tracks.

 

[JoeDirt41]

You have big problems if for example in Iowa the ARCA cars ran faster lap times then the premier Cup Series that’s a major issue.

Without a doubt the cars need more power. 670 is just not enough for Cup cars.

 

[#18FAN]

Without a doubt the cars need more power. 670 is just not enough for Cup cars.

Should easily be 850to 900+

 

[#18FAN]

Without a doubt the cars need more power. 670 is just not enough for Cup cars.

This is Super Stock running faster than a Top Fuel in NHRA equivalent laughable.

 

[4WD]

I saw somewhere that an outlet interviewed a NASCAR safety inspector. He said Dale Earnhardt brought in so many fans ie (Ticket sales) and tv viewership that in many cases his car was waived through tech inspection. The weird thing is that with all of the money that he made he didn't wear a HANS device which I've been told he would have lived.

Yep. The statistics on the HANS are quite clear …

 

[4WD]

This is Super Stock running faster than a Top Fuel in NHRA equivalent laughable.

Downright Funny Car

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

NASCAR should just race on Saturday night, gives an extra day in case of weather and races are flat out more exciting under the lights. I don't see a need for change in format, just qualify on the same day or move it back to Friday.

If not ALL Saturday nights, then maybe more Saturdays. I really think the largest controlling factor with scheduling of many top sports these days is television. The once unimagined amounts of profits their Tv contracts started to generate is likely affecting the scheduling of live events far more than us fans realize. Tv money has always been there, but not in the numbers it has sky rocketed to in the last couple of decades.

 

[Dave P.]

I saw somewhere that an outlet interviewed a NASCAR safety inspector. He said Dale Earnhardt brought in so many fans ie (Ticket sales) and tv viewership that in many cases his car was waived through tech inspection. The weird thing is that with all of the money that he made he didn't wear a HANS device which I've been told he would have lived.

From what I have read, he also had a somewhat "reclined" seat angle. As a result of the seat position, the seat belts were not mounted for full effectiveness according to Simpson Safety. He also wore an open face helmet and goggles. All these things combined contributed to his death.

 

[thastinger]

May as well be watching the WWE. Opportune cautions for hot dog wrappers is done on purpose.

 

[rszappa1]

I enjoyed NASCAR back in the mid 60s through the early 80s. You were able to tell the difference of a Chevy...Dodge...Plymouth...Mercury and others....plus they were not uniform underneath..and had actual car brand engines in them...Plus there were no stages in the race like now....

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

From what I have read, he also had a somewhat "reclined" seat angle. As a result of the seat position, the seat belts were not mounted for full effectiveness according to Simpson Safety. He also wore an open face helmet and goggles. All these things combined contributed to his death.

I truly think you are on to something. A host of things combined and sadly caught up with him. It taught a lot of people a very tough lesson about how truly dangerous (even with all the safety improvements) that sport always will be.