As a Casual NASCAR Fan Explain something to me

[spearchucker]

I don't think that adjusting the power levels up or down will really change much at the new Daytona or Dega. With the new surface the handling issues have all but disappeared and now it's all about speed. Regardless if their max is 220mph or 180mph when qualifying, it's all relative and they are going use the draft to go even faster when it comes time to race.

Getting rid of the restrictor plate will help throttle response and allow the drivers to back out of the gas to avoid a wreck. Now nobody backs off the gas because it takes a lap or 2 to get back up to speed.

[HOF#13]

Good points LMIT.

Maybe the only thing you could do to make handling an issue on those two tracks is lower the spoiler and use tires that give up quicker.

[fishinchicks]

They changed the noses on the car this year. What has that done for the car? Anything? I haven't heard much about it, so I assumed it was simply cosmetic.

On a side note, there is a guy who lives less than a mile from me who makes the restrictor plates for NASCAR in a barn he converted into a machine shop.

[spearchucker]

On a side note, there is a guy who lives less than a mile from me who makes the restrictor plates for NASCAR in a barn he converted into a machine shop.

Tell him to secretly make the holes bigger.

[harvey lee]

Chicks, his name is not Ray is it?

[fishinchicks]

Yes, it is. I figured you would know who it was.

[harvey lee]

We use to race againt Ray years ago. I know Ray very well.

I knew Ray was doing something for NASCAR but I was not sure what. I have not seen Ray for a year or so.

[fishinchicks]

He and his wife don't travel in the same circles as we do, so we don't see them much, either. We see a couple of his daughters every now and then. One keeps her horses and petting zoo animals at his place.

[VMS]

Question for all of you...

Did you really expect the pavement at Daytona to last forever? I see a bunch of guys complaining because daytona is now all about speed?!! Did ANY of you follow the different strategies for the two car trains? 72 lead changes up front...thing of how many other position changes took place back behind the leaders...

TV Ratings have dropped I feel because FOX spends a majority of their time on the front of the field, has to put in all the commercials, and add all the stupid stuff to try and catch the younger crowds.. Fact is, I don't feel that is working.

Tracks are losing fans due to continually rising costs in an economy that is in a huge slump, new restrictions at the tracks, etc. Much more going on than just what many are calling poor regulation of the sport... I have no clue what all is going on, but things are changing and we have to work with it..for safety in most cases...

Steve

[harvey lee]

I do believe for Daytona this year, the TV ratings were up from last year but overall, last season was down.

I believe the economy does have some to do with it but it does not cost much to turn the race on the tube. Last season TV ratings were down even on TV for viewership.

[VMS]

Sure they were... JJ won a 5th straight title, the chase to the cup created that. Had this whole chase thing not happened, he'd have two, and more variety of champions.

also, consider the way the races are commentated in the fall especially...they concentrate on the top 10 - 12 racers...it's all about where they are in the chase points, and be darned about the rest of the racing going on. I don't think one can expect to keep viewership up when the only thing being shown are the popular drivers, and those contending in a chase. Example: How much Dale Earnhardt Jr can the viewing public take? The kid is mediocre at best.... He could be compared to his Dad in much the same way as Kyle Petty to his...

Bring back the older days of showing races, where ALL drivers are covered, different battles being shown on the track, talk to all crew chiefs, etc. rather than just who is running up front.

If football was only showing those teams who were winning all the time and didn't show the other games, would viewership be high?...

If anything, we as viewers can contact the networks and let them have it...but money drives them, which means every 10 laps, there are commercials for 5 laps... That does not help either.

Steve

[harvey lee]

I agree with eveything you say but the stuff about Jr and kyle. They did not ask for that and Jr is covered as he has been the most popular driver.

[HOF#13]

Don't disagree with much of what you said. Disagree with the shot at Dale Jr. though. The way he has run the past couple of years, he really hasn't been much of a focal point during the races.

At any rate, the only thing you left out IMO was that the racing has become concerningly boring the last few years.

[VMS]

I'm not disagreeing with the boring racing over the past couple of years... hard to get into it when the only thing covered are the front runners...there is so much more going on out there, but we see none of it...That falls on the responsibility of the networks to cover the race in full. They just don't do that...

Might be just me, but Jr is covered quite a bit in all aspects due to his dad and Harv, I would agree with you there that he has been put in a position due to his dad, as was Kyle Petty..high expectations for an entirely different caliber of driver. Unfair to them yes...but at some point, they (present tense...Jr) need to just be left alone. Jr. is most popular driver only because of what I feel is his dad...much of which I think he gained fans when Dale died. It is definitely not for his racing abilities. He's gone through multiple crew chiefs, the best of equipment, multiple crews, and Jury is out for this year yet... Just don't see it happening, and unless something changes in how he performs this year, I feel he'll be looking for a new ride...

Steve

[gregg52]

ya thats a tuff one

if it was any one else they would be gone but he brings alot of money

dont know what the actually means to mr H but i think it has to be a factor

maybe jr should go and mark stay lol

or who ever is highest in the points

[spearchucker]

Kyle Petty hasn't raced for 2 years.

JR is a cash cow for Hendrick right now, but sooner or later he has to put up the numbers or his value will dwindle IMO. I would like to see him do well, but he hasn't been winning races, isn't a good speaker, not very charismatic. The mustard will come off the hot dog if he doesn't start winning. He has had every opportunity to win or run in the top 10 and hasn't lately.

[gregg52]

ya he is terrialbe interveiw just doesnt have the gift to gab

ya thing is if he doesnt make it this year where does he go from hendrick ??

back to dei???/

i think its going to be interesting to see the difference between him and the 5 this yr

letart didnt win alot but lots of top 5-10's

martin looked to have a pretty good car in daytona

but i think he was scared didnt like that pushing business

this week will start to till the tale

[harvey lee]

No Jr along with others did not like the pushing.

Jr will be at HMS next season for sure. Rick will not dump Jr because of the change made for a single season.

Latarte and Gordon were not the greatest and Rick knew they both needed help. Yes, Jr neeedced it more.

The change with a new crew chief will not make Jr a winning driver in a few weeks. Typically does not work that way.

[gregg52]

ya i think as i've said before the 24 was the winner on that swap

i do look for the 24 to be very good this yr

your right harvey it doesnt happen over night but by the time they get back to daytona one should see some results

and you kinda compare cuz all 3 have new crew chiefs

[spearchucker]

I don't want to start a bash JR thread but JR has had lots of crew chief changes and the same problems after every change. I know he is popular and draws a lot of money but it can't always be someone else's fault. Who would want the job as his crew chief? I don't think I would even bother to unpack.

[spearchucker]

ya he is terrialbe interveiw just doesnt have the gift to gab

ya thing is if he doesnt make it this year where does he go from hendrick ??

back to dei???/

i think its going to be interesting to see the difference between him and the 5 this yr

letart didnt win alot but lots of top 5-10's

martin looked to have a pretty good car in daytona

but i think he was scared didnt like that pushing business

this week will start to till the tale

It is well known that Mark Martin hates restrictor plate racing. He is usually very conservative unless he has a chance to win at the plate tracks. I think you have to look at just finishing a plate race to keep in the championship hunt.

[HOF#13]

I don't want to start a bash JR thread but...

Then don't.

[spearchucker]

I don't think I did, but anytime you talk about him someone gets mad.

[harvey lee]

You didn't spear, your alright.

Sometimes I think I have even bashed Jr and I like him.

[Red_Dog]

Yea, By all means don't talk in blasphemy about baby Jesus....It never ceases to amaze me the credit this guy gets because of daddy..Its what makes people right about the ignorant redneck stereotype. They are truly delusional. Jack Nicklaus was one of the worlds greatest golfer's... but his son isn't..and you cant wish it so,, same thing. The best drivers realize at this level success is in the crucial things like equipment (which he has the best of) and just as important communicating what the car is doing on the track in certain places during certain times of the race with different temps etc... Not just yelling on the radio my caars junk, my caars junk. Let alone getting the car in the pit-box right..one time, ok, everyone is human but as many times as Jr has done give me a break ....OK Jr nation stay true to the stereotype and flame away. IT will make you feel better but wont make him as good as you say or wish,,just watch Sunday for the truth, but Im sure it will be the new crew chiefs fault ....You would think the fans up north are smarter than that but the "JR nation" seems to have no borders