What's happened to nascar?

[Kurbski]

I sure miss the cup cars and days of Richard, Cale, Dale, Neil, Bobby, Davey, Harry Gant, Alan K,Tim Richmond and many others that are still around or have left us in one way or another.
Anyone remember Mr Beatty's garage filled with confiscated parts? :lol:
And rubbing use to be racing when everyone accepted it for what it was, then settled things outside of their cars :wink:
Who is your favorite driver of all time an why :?:

I heard Vince McMahon has been hired to spice things up a bit on October 8th :shock: :P :lol: :lol:

[Mr. Ford95]

Actually the downslide of Nascar started around 2003 when Brian France was handed the reigns.

My favorite driver was Davey Allison. He would have scored at least 2 Cups in his career had he not died. Jeff Gordon, my current favorite, would not have 4 Cups if Davey had still be around. Davey was like Jimmie Johnson has been in his career and what Jeff was earlier in his career but multiplied a few times. He could wheel that car on any track, definitely had his daddy's skills. Too bad Bobby was so hard headed when he was with Junior Johnson or he would have about 80 more victories to his name. Had great equipment and great talent but he threw it all away because him and Junior didn't see eye to eye a lot of times.

[Kurbski]

Actually the downslide of Nascar started around 2003 when Brian France was handed the reigns.

My favorite driver was Davey Allison. He would have scored at least 2 Cups in his career had he not died. Jeff Gordon, my current favorite, would not have 4 Cups if Davey had still be around. Davey was like Jimmie Johnson has been in his career and what Jeff was earlier in his career but multiplied a few times. He could wheel that car on any track, definitely had his daddy's skills. Too bad Bobby was so hard headed when he was with Junior Johnson or he would have about 80 more victories to his name. Had great equipment and great talent but he threw it all away because him and Junior didn't see eye to eye a lot of times.

I was a big Davey Fan as well. How could you not cheer for the Alabama gang since they were in the hunt on every superspeedway back in the day. Red Farmer was one heck of a crew chief. If I could reverse life, I would do it the day they got in the helicopter in Talladaga that's for sure.

nascar started going down hill when they decided to price the average blue collar working man out of the track and start courting the big money. You can't park your motorhome in turn one for less than $1000 or more after expenses.

IMO, plate racing really sux and DIS has been turned into a theme park with 3 lap shootouts. This article is interesting and explains how the track was very empty this July and that only 24 teams have secured a sponsor for the 2009 season. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/07/07/nascar_feeling_effects_of_slumping_economy/

[DarthJayhawk]

Have you guys not seen Kyle Bush this year? He may be a punk, but he is on fire! And Carl Edwards? I hate that Mizzou loving sack o'crap, but the dude can drive. Times change in all sports, and in NASCAR, they just seem to change faster.

[Mr. Ford95]

Kyle couldn't hold a candle to Davey Allison, the only current driver close is Jeff Gordon. Davey was whipping'em with a start up Robert Yates Racing team. Kyle is having the same type of year Newman had back in 2005 where he simply couldn't lose when it came money time. Won 8 or 9 races that year(think half were fuel mileage wins) but wasn't close to the title. You know why Kyle and Carl are winning so much, they have this new car figured out. Only a very few drivers have figured this car out on every track they run.

Actually things changed slowly in Nascar until Little France gained control. His father Bill would react and make changes but he researched it out before he did anything. He was about the fans and making sure they got their money's worth. Brian France could careless about the fans as long as his pockets keep getting lined with green. That is why they shoved California's 2nd date down our throats even though every media person in the world said it was a bad move.

[turnleft]

The good ole days wern't always so good, at least now every race is on TV. I agree about the 3 lap shootouts, I think Nascar should mandate if you are the cause of yellow within 5 laps of the finish you lose half your points for that particular race. Too many mid pack cars screwing it up and getting reckless and spoiling it for who really should have been the race winner with a few to go,( like Jr. at Richmond,he had that race in the bag but the restart allowed Busch to get back on him and take him out).

It's still pretty exciting, like when Harvick just nabbed Martin at Daytona a couple years ago. Davey was a driver for sure and so was Kulwicki they both could have gotten at least 3 or 4 Championships and then maybe Gordon wouldn't have so many now. I used to like DW, always thought his Western Auto car was cool looking and Rusty's black Genuine Draft car.

[turnleft]

The good ole days wern't always so good, at least now every race is on TV. I agree about the 3 lap shootouts, I think Nascar should mandate if you are the cause of yellow within 5 laps of the finish you lose half your points for that particular race. Too many mid pack cars screwing it up and getting reckless and spoiling it for who really should have been the race winner with a few to go,( like Jr. at Richmond,he had that race in the bag but the restart allowed Busch to get back on him and take him out).

It's still pretty exciting, like when Harvick just nabbed Martin at Daytona a couple years ago. Davey was a driver for sure and so was Kulwicki they both could have gotten at least 3 or 4 Championships and then maybe Gordon wouldn't have so many now. I used to like DW, always thought his Western Auto car was cool looking and Rusty's black Genuine Draft car.

[turnleft]

The good ole days wern't always so good, at least now every race is on TV. I agree about the 3 lap shootouts, I think Nascar should mandate if you are the cause of yellow within 5 laps of the finish you lose half your points for that particular race. Too many mid pack cars screwing it up and getting reckless and spoiling it for who really should have been the race winner with a few to go,( like Jr. at Richmond,he had that race in the bag but the restart allowed Busch to get back on him and take him out).

It's still pretty exciting, like when Harvick just nabbed Martin at Daytona a couple years ago. Davey was a driver for sure and so was Kulwicki they both could have gotten at least 3 or 4 Championships and then maybe Gordon wouldn't have so many now. I used to like DW, always thought his Western Auto car was cool looking and Rusty's black Genuine Draft car.

[Mr. Ford95]

The part of the good ol days I miss is the "cheating" that went on. As long as it wasn't something dangerous that would hurt someone, Nascar really didn't care. You had guys running fuel lines thru the rollbars so the car would hold an extra gallon or two. Or the hidden switch on Rudd's car that he was going to use at 'Dega. Flip the switch and the back end dropped down, problem was it dropped too far and tore the rear end all up in testing. That was a step up from what it used to be with having little shims sitting under the car that would fall out during the race. Problem was, you didn't know when they might fall out. It was a huge game everyone played with one another and brought Nascar to where it is today with how fast the cars now go. Now Nascar shuns any type of creative genius while F1 only shuns those trying to copy-cat another team.

I truly believe that Roush pulled an old school move on Nascar this year and it worked because Nascar didn't want egg all over their face a few races later so they allowed it to continue. Roush was the first team with Edwards to run with the rear end kicked out, a reverse trick to the old Bobby Allison setup where you lead the right rear out. They started that at Las Vegas but it wasn't caught because everyone was flipping out about the oil lid cover being off. That is an old trick, put something they will find easily and get their mind on that in order to get something much worse past them. At Texas people had started to catch on that something was up when they tried to set their cars up loose and it wasn't working like it was for Roush. The old-timers on the teams knew right then what was going on and by the time they got to Richmond and Darlington, everyone was running that setup.

[Syncrosonix]

all i wanna know is if they're ever going to introduce a circuit where they have to make right turns. nascar is so boring. indy racing league is real racing. rally cross is awesome, too!

[Mr. Ford95]

They do have those tracks in Nascar Syncro. Cup races on 2 of them and there is small talk of adding a 3rd one, possibly Canada since the Nationwide Series has sold out these 2 years there. Ask the ringers who come in and should do well in Cup how well they really do on these tracks. They used to get top 5's and compete for wins, now they are lucky if one of them gets a top 10. Nationwide Series used to race on 3 road courses, now it's back to 2 since they dropped Mexico City from the schedule due to sagging attendance and teams getting robbed at their hotels.

[Kurbski]

all i wanna know is if they're ever going to introduce a circuit where they have to make right turns. nascar is so boring. indy racing league is real racing. rally cross is awesome, too!

During Bike Week in Daytona, the bikes use the whole track and that is some really good racing. Much better than the round d round bs with no action. Nascar Races now a days put me to sleep.

[Kurbski]

They do have those tracks in Nascar Syncro. Cup races on 2 of them and there is small talk of adding a 3rd one, possibly Canada since the Nationwide Series has sold out these 2 years there. Ask the ringers who come in and should do well in Cup how well they really do on these tracks. They used to get top 5's and compete for wins, now they are lucky if one of them gets a top 10. Nationwide Series used to race on 3 road courses, now it's back to 2 since they dropped Mexico City from the schedule due to sagging attendance and teams getting robbed at their hotels.

What were they thinking when they added this one? :?

[Mr. Ford95]

The word from Little France was that Nascar wanted to tap into the Hispanic world due to their large numbers here in the US(mostly illegal one's at that.) What they did not foresee was that the fans got bored because the Hispanic drivers were getting stomped at their home track. They also did not realize the logistical nightmare it caused even though the team owners did see this being a problem. The hauler drivers did not want to be running down into Mexico without an escort.

[Mack2]

I'll tell you the one guy I really miss is Ward Burton. I really had fun listening to him.

[Double L]

I'll tell you the one guy I really miss is Ward Burton. I really had fun listening to him.

I agree!!!!!

[Kurbski]

I'll tell you the one guy I really miss is Ward Burton. I really had fun listening to him.

You mean " WOD" :D

[Frebond]

I'll tell you the one guy I really miss is Ward Burton. I really had fun listening to him.

You actually knew what he was saying?

[belpre122]

The explosion of NASCAR in the US unfortunately never had anything to do with an increase in racing fans. Folks were lured by the personalities and the bright, colorful cars. The actual sport of racing had nothing to do with any of it.

Now that the novelty has worn off and most of the legendary names mentioned above are no longer with the sport, there really isn't a whole lot to fall back on for the so-called fan. Hence, the whole Vince McMahon charade. Boy did that fall right in to my lap.

Racing fans are still, and will always be racing fans. The johnny-come-latelys have had their moment and will be moving on to the next artificial craze such as Cabbage Patch Dolls, Pet Rocks or Tickle-Me-Elmos. The cycle of silliness continues to churn................

Right Mr. Ford?

[golfhobo]

I agree with everything said about Davey Allison. That was a dark day.

But, imho, Nascar really changed with the restrictor plates and the expansion tracks.

But, in thruth, Nascar hasn't been the same since the day the music died! R.I.P Dale. We all loved you! Especially your enemies!

[Jackrabbit379]

I think, they gotten too pretty. Used to, you would watch the fights, and every once in a while, a race would break out.

I miss the days when the guys ran each other into the wall, and both climbing out of their cars.

http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/tongue/tongue0023.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-unhappy-smileys.php)http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0053.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-innocent-smileys.php)http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/cool/cool0010.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-angel-smileys.php)

[mommee]

I think, they gotten too pretty. Used to, you would watch the fights, and every once in a while, a race would break out.

I miss the days when the guys ran each other into the wall, and both climbing out of their cars.

http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/tongue/tongue0023.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-unhappy-smileys.php)http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0053.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-innocent-smileys.php)http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/cool/cool0010.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-angel-smileys.php)

that's why i watch hockey. especially when the goalies go at it. :bigthumbsup:

[partssman]

Actually the downslide of Nascar started around 2003 when Brian France was handed the reigns.


I agree whole heartedly.

Not a nascar fan at, but felt Mr Ford's opinion deserved a positive comment.

[Mr. Ford95]

I agree Belpre, the true fans will stay to an extent but they have to get away from the 1.5 mile quad and D shaped ovals if they want to keep the true fans. This new car has not helped the racing, only made the racing safer for the driver. The racing itself is probably more dangerous with this new car since the driver's go into the corner not knowing what the car is going to do, make a change and they are even more mystified by what the car is going to do.

I sure would not mind if Nascar went to the same type of schedule F1 uses. Every track hosts 1 points race 1 points race only. Run 36 races plus the 2 All-Star races. We would have some real neat tracks to run on, maybe get a special road course on a street circuit.

[Part Time Dweller]

We would have some real neat tracks to run on, maybe get a special road course on a street circuit.

3500 Lb. taxi cabs have no business being on road or street courses. Most of the drivers hate them, and it is boring to watch them try to maneuver the course. Stock cars belong on ovals, open wheel belong on road courses.

I do agree that NASCAR needs to lose some of the 1.5 mile tracks and add more short tracks to the mix, especially with this new car. Either that or drastic changes need to be made to the car so it is competitive on the 1.5 tracks. Wider tires, more down force, anything that will make them stick. Today's race was a joke, the drivers were hanging on for dear life, just trying to finish.

[Mr. Ford95]

Actually I thought the race was good at Atlanta, reminded me of Rockingham, just on a slightly bigger track with all the slipping and sliding. It's too bad all these drivers are spoiled by great handling cars from the former body style, now they all freak out with a car that doesn't handle well while still trying to go dive bombing into the corner.

Actually, most of the drivers like at least 1 of the 2 road courses currently on the Cup schedule. Half the drivers hate Sear's Point because it's so twisty and technical while those same one's love The Glen because it's so wide open where you can let the rough side drag. The old Riverside was the same way, let it all hang out. I think it's fun watching them sling the cars around there like they are running on a back road with the cops chasin them like the old moonshinin days.

To go further into the schedule change I said above, take the current Cup tracks, race all of them once, that's 22 races a year exluding the 2 All-Stars. If Nascar wants 30+ races then add the tracks the Busch and Truck guys run: Memphis, Nashville, Kentucky, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Iowa, Mansfield, Canada and maybe ORP/IRP to bring the total to 31 races. If that ain't enough, add-in former tracks, Pikes Peak and Rockingham to give you 33 races Now teams have 3 extra weekends free while also allowing a possible new track in the Pacific NW, NY or the new one attempting to be built in SoCal to have a date. Wait, that all makes too much sense, Brian France will never allow it.

[Logger]

And it gives Marcos a chance to show he can actually steer a car eh Mr Ford?? Shame he`s driving a japper next year tho??

[Mr. Ford95]

Well, he nearly swept both the Nationwide/Busch and Cup race this year at Watkins Glen. Won the Nationwide race and had to come from the back of the pack in the Cup race to finish 2nd. If he had another 5-10 laps he would have won the Cup race with a part-time team. His prowess on the oval tracks is coming along nicely for coming here after only running stock cars on road courses down there.

[boneebone]

It got too commercialized.

[Mr. Ford95]

Which is why the current economy could help Nascar in the long run by weeding out all the commercialization and letting these guys race like they used to. Also shows who the true fans are, the die hards will stay just like they have done in the past when the economy got tough.

[mike3fan]

Which is why the current economy could help Nascar in the long run by weeding out all the commercialization and letting these guys race like they used to. Also shows who the true fans are, the die hards will stay just like they have done in the past when the economy got tough.

Did you see that Texas took out a bunch of grandstands so that they can get a sellout now and control supply and demand?

[Mr. Ford95]

Was it the backstretch seats that hardly sell?

The problem with the non-sellouts is that people aren't hungry for racing, it's too watered down and too many races a year along with the races being too long. People need to work M-F, they can't be taking Monday off because the race on Sunday finished at 6-7pm and they then have to sit in traffic for 2-3 more hours. If Nascar isn't going to shorten the races, then drop the green flag at 1pm on the dot like it used to be just 10 years ago. Also, shorten the season schedule. They think that banning testing will stop these teams and give them more time at home? Wrong, they only banned testing at any Truck, Busch and Cup track that hosts a race. They can still go to the local short tracks that only host the Weekly Racing Series and any track that is defunct like Wilkesboro, Rockingham or Texas World Speedway and test. Cut the schedule to 1 points paying race per track except for Daytona, it must keep 2 points paying races. That will help the product from being so watered down with so many races a year going on.

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Nothings happened to NASCAR it's always been boring watching cars make an eternal left on an oval track , So without something besides the "race" to entertain you it's obviously boring .

[vavega]

if we bailout the big 3, should nascar be euthanized? (http://www.slate.com/id/2206711/)

[turnleft]

It's getting worse lately, I usually change channels after the 48 takes the lead, which is about every race now. I'd like to see em get rid of qualifying and draw pills for starting spot one race and then invert them by points the next race and alternate. They need a rev limiter with a sensor that can detect when the top 3 are catching clean air, way to much 2nd place 1.7 secs behind leader and 3rd place 2 secs behind 2nd. Take the last 3-5 races and give double or triple points for WINNING, that way JJ has to actually race instead of taking a Sunday drive in 10 place to win a Championship.

[Mr. Ford95]

Well turnleft, JJ raced 2 years ago, he won 4 of the last 5 races to win the title over his teammate. He also didn't seem to be simply cruising this year, did you miss the Atlanta race? Another half lap and he wins that race over Edwards. He would have won 3 of the final 5 races this year had he pulled that one off. Texas and Homestead, they brought a junk car, he wasn't riding around milking it, he was trying not to wreck the thing. He finished 15th in both only because they became fuel milage races. Had they not been fuel mileage finishes, he would have finished much worse in both and probably lost the title by a few points.

People want the old days of racing back well they are back, this was how the racing was, spread out. Suddenly the fans don't like this yet they still clammer for the old days.............finishes were rarely close, usually they were measured in laps vs seconds.

What you saying about making the car cut power to the engine on the lead car to close the field up is not going to happen. Talk about causing a big wreck at places like Daytona or 'Dega when someone pulls out for a slingshot, gets all the clean air and the engine cuts power on him.