NASCAR....oh god why?!?!?!

[tarheelmm]

The biggest thing people will tell you is to go to a race once. All I can say is go to a race once. You will either like it or hate. Dont base your decision from just watching it on tv.

 

[Igore]

first off, nascar now owns speedvision (at least in part if not all). so the reason you are seeing nascar on speedvision alot it pretty much obvious.

second, with the exception of the actual race, you are complaining about one freak'n channel compared to the hundreds of other channels to watch. i mean lets be realistic here, golf has its own channel for god sake. aren't there like fifity espn channels that play non stop basketball, football, baseball...and hockey. if you don't like it DON"T WATCH IT!!!

each sport has its own rules. if you don't like them, then play somewhere else. i personally didn't like that all star basball game being called even though it was a tie, but i am not making ignorant comments about the "great american sport"

if you think that nascar is so lame i would personally like to see you put your money where you mouth is. if you think its so easy, then get out there and show them how its done. i would love to get a kick out of watching you try to drive an 750hp 3400 lb vehicle on a high banked track (or road for that matter) at 200+ mph with tires that have no street tread in the rain. and then when you smake the wall at 180 mph, i wanna see you walk away from that wrecked car and say that racing in the rain is no big deal. i highly doubt that you can drive your street car worth a damn on a bright sunny day. remember, those that can, do. those that can't, just b$tch mindlessly about talent and skills they don't have.

as for the racist comments...you are just ignorant.

in closing, all i have to say is i would like to see football, baseball or even basket ball fill a 250,000+ (not including the in field) person stadium just once....if you think that a lot of people think like you....you better think again. most of us are smart enough to have an open mind about things we don't particularly care for, with the possible exception of some people on this board.

ig :disgust::|

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Here's something to think about:
The shortest track on the Winston Cup series is Bristol Motor Speedway. There is seating for 135,000-147,000 people.
The Staples Center (where the lakers play) seats 20,000
Pac Bell Park (where the Giants play) seats 41,000
3 com Park (where the 49rs play) seats 70,000


One of the larger NASCAR locations is Indianapolist Motor Speedway (where the Brickyard 400 is raced) seats 250,000. And they sell out.


So basically, the same amount of people are at Bristol as a 49ers game, Lakers game, and Giants game combined. Can you blame a channel for putting some attention on them?

 

[NightTrain]

Originally posted by: B00ne
NASCAR is pathetic - the drivers cant even drive in rain - what that about, uuuh boy rain now I have to have skill - nah lets rather break off the race and declare the current leader winner. Well what can u expect from 50's technology cars driving in circles...

Personally I would like to see the drive in the rain and they actually tested some rain tires in the last year or so.

As far as the "50's technology"...I'm often reminded of an article that appeared in Road and Track in the late 80's. This was back when Tim Richmond was still alive and driving the Folgers Monte Carlo. The mag thought it would be a good idea to have a high speed shootout between the MC and Al Holbert's (also now deceased) Lemans Porsche Prototype.

1st run Richmond - Everyone gathered and heard the throaty rumble of the big V8 while it was still miles away. As it flashed by, the speed registered 225mph "Woooo that's fast" is overheard from one of the Holbert faithful even before the numbers are up.

1st run Holbert - 208mph

A couple more runs then a break for lunch. Assumably the NASCAR boys chow down on PBR and moonpies while the snobs in the Porsche camp have a catered brunch

As the afternoon session begins, the rednecks in Richmond's pit fiddle with a little duct...er racer's tape while the surgeons in the Holbert camp (dressed in lab coats of course drag the Lemans tray and tail out of the hauler.

final run Richmond - 240mph
final run Holbert - 224mph (less than Richmond's first run)

Holbert's 962 was hampered a bit by downforce but the nose of the Monte Carlo is like a brick wall and pushing that through the wind couldn't have been easy

 

[911paramedic]

It's pretty funny working those events. I have worked in the infield many times (and the stands, argh) and we show up in our ambulance, in uniform, and they still want us to have passes from the front office, LOL. This was pre 9/11 days too, they are nuts out here in Las Vegas.

I am sure my ears will never be the same from working those events.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
i dont like it, but i respect the drivers. Hell, at least they pass, unlike WRC or any indy/F1 racing. Its alot harder to drive when there is a car 6 inches away from you on either side.

I think its even harder to drive when there is a tree, rock or a cliff 6 inches away from you in wrc
I recently started watching japanese gt on speed, lots of crashes and some wicked driving, hope they increase the coverage.

For some strange reason i hate watching nascar, but i cant stop playing nascar 2003 on the pc. With an analog controller and 40 cars its pretty cool.... but so is going backwards and plowing into everyone

 

[Pepsi90919]

formula 1 is far superior.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I am so sick of all the anti Nascar crap. If you don't like it don't watch it and quit your bitching.

Baseball and Golf are boring as hell to watch too but I don't see threads with people complaining about them every single day.

Baseball is a real sport.

<cough> Bullsh1t!</cough>

 

[Eli]

I like watching the cars crash, that's about it.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: HokieESM
Oh... and one more thing: if they really want to make this series interesting--they need to let the engineers have their way with the cars. Give some simple rules--weight minimum, engine displacement, tire size--and let them go at it. No silly restrictor plates to "equalize" cars, no aerodynamic tests to make sure that brand ___ doesn't get blown off the track..... just let the best team win. I'd LOVE to see that..... I thought we Americans prided ourselves on our "innovation"... so let us "innovate".

Actually the restrictor plates are used to keep the speeds down at the superspeedways for safety purposes, not to equalize the cars. It does have the nasty side effect of "equalizing" them though.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: NightTrain
Personally I would like to see the drive in the rain and they actually tested some rain tires in the last year or so.

As far as the "50's technology"...I'm often reminded of an article that appeared in Road and Track in the late 80's. This was back when Tim Richmond was still alive and driving the Folgers Monte Carlo. The mag thought it would be a good idea to have a high speed shootout between the MC and Al Holbert's (also now deceased) Lemans Porsche Prototype.

1st run Richmond - Everyone gathered and heard the throaty rumble of the big V8 while it was still miles away. As it flashed by, the speed registered 225mph "Woooo that's fast" is overheard from one of the Holbert faithful even before the numbers are up.

1st run Holbert - 208mph

A couple more runs then a break for lunch. Assumably the NASCAR boys chow down on PBR and moonpies while the snobs in the Porsche camp have a catered brunch

As the afternoon session begins, the rednecks in Richmond's pit fiddle with a little duct...er racer's tape while the surgeons in the Holbert camp (dressed in lab coats of course drag the Lemans tray and tail out of the hauler.

final run Richmond - 240mph
final run Holbert - 224mph (less than Richmond's first run)

Holbert's 962 was hampered a bit by downforce but the nose of the Monte Carlo is like a brick wall and pushing that through the wind couldn't have been easy

A bit? At 220mph the Porsche was probably lugging around an additional 1200kg of weight just from downforce.

 

[Tom]

"Oh... and one more thing: if they really want to make this series interesting--they need to let the engineers have their way with the cars. Give some simple rules--weight minimum, engine displacement, tire size--and let them go at it. No silly restrictor plates to "equalize" cars, no aerodynamic tests to make sure that brand ___ doesn't get blown off the track..... just let the best team win. I'd LOVE to see that..... I thought we Americans prided ourselves on our "innovation"... so let us "innovate". "

Since this seems to be a post that isn't just ignorant bashing I thought I'd make a comment. In many ways a racing series like NASCAR which has very restrictive rules, requires more imagination,innovation, engineering and mechanical skill, than less restrictive racing series like F1. In both series the key to success is gaining an advantage over your competitiors. The more restrictive the rules are the more difficult it is to find ways to gain that advantage.

NASCAR, like all sports, is much more involved than what a casual viewer might notice. Take football as an example, a casual observer might see a running back break free for a 20 yard gain, but it isn't until the replay and with the anouncers help, that the fact that the reason the running back was able to do it was because a right guard didn't just smash forward as might be expected, but instead dropped back, ran to the left side of the center, and then turned upfield and blocked for the running back. NASCAR is chock full of the same kind of subtle stuff, both on and off the track.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: HokieESM
Oh... and one more thing: if they really want to make this series interesting--they need to let the engineers have their way with the cars. Give some simple rules--weight minimum, engine displacement, tire size--and let them go at it. No silly restrictor plates to "equalize" cars, no aerodynamic tests to make sure that brand ___ doesn't get blown off the track..... just let the best team win. I'd LOVE to see that..... I thought we Americans prided ourselves on our "innovation"... so let us "innovate".

You mean like in Lemans where Audi's R8 completely dominated last year? Or perhaps F1 where Ferrari completely dominated last year? Or maybe even WRC where Peugeot dominated last year...

The restrictions keep the races competitive.

 

[halik]

im gonna have a hell of a bigger chance of being able to drive nascar around in circles than doing powerslides in a WRC car. The skill level involved with nascar is NOWHERE NEAR GT/GTS or WRC racing. There is no shifting, no real conrnering, no shickanes (spelling) etc.

 

[Tom]

"im gonna have a hell of a bigger chance of being able to drive nascar around in circles than doing powerslides in a WRC car. The skill level involved with nascar is NOWHERE NEAR GT/GTS or WRC racing. There is no shifting, no real conrnering, no shickanes (spelling) etc. "

Doing powerslides is no big deal. Doing powerslides better than someone else is.

Going around a corner in NASCAR at speed is a very big deal, even by yourself. With 42 other people doing it with you there is no possibility that you could do it.

 

[Stifko]

Originally posted by: snooker

Originally posted by: Stifko
This is a sport for White ppl, you never see Afro_Americans in the crowds.
A bunch of ignorant crackers watch it, if ya ask me.

Talk about racist. Naaa Stifko isn't racist

BTW I am a HUGE Nascar fan, ...

I guess I am racist. I am a lily white, whiter-than-the-whitest-white, alabaster, blanched, bleached, bloodless, chalky, clear, fair, frosted, ivory, light, milky, neutral, pallid, pasty, pearly, silver, silvery, & snowy Caucasian of the Caucazoid tribe. Whats a racist anyhoo ?

BTW camparing the phrase ignorant cracker to the phrase ignorant N ~ word is really no comparision at all IMHO.

The N has a exponentially uglier meaning and history. Which one are you more likely to catch a knuckle sandwich for using ?

As far as NASCAR...feh, its a sport that ppl seem to enjoy and it puts food of the table, but you won't see this honkey at a NASCAR event, unless I get paid to be there.

 

[Pastore]

This thread is full of ignorant people that know nothing about the sport of stock car racing. I worked on a Busch north race team as part of the pit crew for 2 weekends last season. Hardest work of my life.

And to the idiot that bashed NASCAR because they don't drive in the rain? Go put some slicks on your Honda and head out on the freeway during a downpour and see how you fair. :disgust:

 

[tarheelmm]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
"im gonna have a hell of a bigger chance of being able to drive nascar around in circles than doing powerslides in a WRC car. The skill level involved with nascar is NOWHERE NEAR GT/GTS or WRC racing. There is no shifting, no real conrnering, no shickanes (spelling) etc. "

Doing powerslides is no big deal. Doing powerslides better than someone else is.

Going around a corner in NASCAR at speed is a very big deal, even by yourself. With 42 other people doing it there is no possibility that you could do it.

Not to mention you have slicks on the car. You have to shift while in the turn and keep a line on a sloped track. I would love to Joe Blow hop in a car and do this.

 

[przero]

NightTrain - You remember Tim Richmond? He and Davey Allison were going to be great champions. Lost'em both way to soon. the rain tires are to be used on the road courses. When they first designed Dale Earnhardt (3) was the only driver to test them on an oval in a 'Cup car.


HokieESM - Do your research ! the restrictor plates are to slow the cars down. At Talladega and Daytona they were going to fast to race with fans in the stands. Bobby Allison almost got in the stands airborne at 225 mph. Hence the plates. Not to equalize the series.


Pepsi90919 - How many passes for the lead in F! last year. 20 maybe, that did not involve the leader pitting? They had that many in the fall reace at Talladega! You may enjoy it more ,but it isn't superior.

 

[Tom]

NASCAR fan demographic information

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: halik
im gonna have a hell of a bigger chance of being able to drive nascar around in circles than doing powerslides in a WRC car. The skill level involved with nascar is NOWHERE NEAR GT/GTS or WRC racing. There is no shifting, no real conrnering, no shickanes (spelling) etc.

Is that your expert opinion?

People like you don't know squat about NASCAR. There are only a few tracks where there is no shifting. On many of the shorter tracks the speeds don't get over 120-130 and they are constantly shifting.

 

[przero]

Stifko - If you believe what you just posted you define ignorance. Your commentd were racist and demeaning. I personally asked for a ban of those type comments. I don't care what color you are.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: bunker

Originally posted by: halik
im gonna have a hell of a bigger chance of being able to drive nascar around in circles than doing powerslides in a WRC car. The skill level involved with nascar is NOWHERE NEAR GT/GTS or WRC racing. There is no shifting, no real conrnering, no shickanes (spelling) etc.

Is that your expert opinion?

People like you don't know squat about NASCAR. There are only a few tracks where there is no shifting. On many of the shorter tracks the speeds don't get over 120-130 and they are constantly shifting.

Not to mention the road courses. As I pointed out in another thread, these guys have some very busy feet on that kind of course.....watch one of those races and pay attention if they show a "driver foot cam"...it's pretty impressive. They can heel-toe.....left foot brake.....all that good stuff. You can watch them tap the brake to get the car to point and such....just like a rally driver.

 

[HokieESM]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
"Oh... and one more thing: if they really want to make this series interesting--they need to let the engineers have their way with the cars. Give some simple rules--weight minimum, engine displacement, tire size--and let them go at it. No silly restrictor plates to "equalize" cars, no aerodynamic tests to make sure that brand ___ doesn't get blown off the track..... just let the best team win. I'd LOVE to see that..... I thought we Americans prided ourselves on our "innovation"... so let us "innovate". "

Since this seems to be a post that isn't just ignorant bashing I thought I'd make a comment. In many ways a racing series like NASCAR which has very restrictive rules, requires more imagination,innovation, engineering and mechanical skill, than less restrictive racing series like F1. In both series the key to success is gaining an advantage over your competitiors. The more restrictive the rules are the more difficult it is to find ways to gain that advantage.

NASCAR, like all sports, is much more involved than what a casual viewer might notice. Take football as an example, a casual observer might see a running back break free for a 20 yard gain, but it isn't until the replay and with the anouncers help, that the fact that the reason the running back was able to do it was because a right guard didn't just smash forward as might be expected, but instead dropped back, ran to the left side of the center, and then turned upfield and blocked for the running back. NASCAR is chock full of the same kind of subtle stuff, both on and off the track.

DeadParrotSketch... I'm actually not all that ignorant. My dad has worked on and off for several NASCAR teams throughout the years--and I basically grew up in the pits at CMS (I'm from Charlotte). As far as the restrictive rules "helping" creativity--I disagree. As a matter of fact, if ANY of the Chevy cars are different, its supposedly against the rules. Hence the templates, the stock engines, etc. Now some people DO get small advantages, I agree.... but personally, I LIKE seeing people create large advantages. Of course, I'm a weirdo--I like watching racing for the technical aspect, not for the "competitiveness". I think the restrictiveness of the NASCAR rules has let the teams sit idly by instead of trying to improve their cars by leaps and bounds. I would personally love to see one team dominate one year--forcing the others to learn how to cope. Hence, I love American LeMans racing. (I also used to autocross myself)

Of course, this is my OPINION... and I'm in the definite minority. My biggest gripes with NASCAR have very little to do with racing--and everything to do with business/management. I feel that the Frances are trying to turn the actual SPORT of racing into entertainment--and are brainwashing some of the more ignorant fans. The Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge debate is simply moot at this point--the "testing" before season usually means that the cars are equal--not that they have a whole lot to do with those manufacturers to begin with (an engine architecture, at most). They love to play up the whole "manufacturer" difference.... yet, when it comes down to it, there is VERY little (it has more to do with the individual team). Also, the "censorship" of the drivers is amazing too (believe me, I know a few)--you should hear what they are told to say... and NOT to say.

 

[HokieESM]

Originally posted by: przero
NightTrain - You remember Tim Richmond? He and Davey Allison were going to be great champions. Lost'em both way to soon. the rain tires are to be used on the road courses. When they first designed Dale Earnhardt (3) was the only driver to test them on an oval in a 'Cup car.


HokieESM - Do your research ! the restrictor plates are to slow the cars down. At Talladega and Daytona they were going to fast to race with fans in the stands. Bobby Allison almost got in the stands airborne at 225 mph. Hence the plates. Not to equalize the series.


Pepsi90919 - How many passes for the lead in F! last year. 20 maybe, that did not involve the leader pitting? They had that many in the fall reace at Talladega! You may enjoy it more ,but it isn't superior.

I'm not stupid przero.... I know they slow the cars down. But they also equalize the cars a GREAT deal. And why do they slow the cars down? Do you know this? Here's a hint: they have so little downforce, they LIKE to take off above 220. And here's a little other tidbit of information: speeds at Charlotte Motor Speedway are LOWER in 2003 than they were in 1965 (especially on the straights)... yet those cars RARELY went "light". That's what we get for taking the team's ability to customize and work on their car's aerodynamics..... we need restrictor plates to "slow us down". And unfortunately, a restrictor plate also puts a "cap" on horsepower--which all the teams (especially the competitive ones) are hitting.