Tough as Nails: What NASCAR Isn't Anymore

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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R), driver of the #88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet, congratulates Brad Keselowski (L), driver of the #09 Miccosukee Chevrolet, in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at

Whatever happened to being a rough-neck, do-anything-to-win, straight up son-of-a-bitch? If my math is correct, and it usually is, that’s what made NASCAR the great American racing sensation.

The cars don’t go as fast as Indy cars or dragsters. The wrecks aren’t as spectacular either. But the drivers are tough as nails, and either you love ‘em or you hate ‘em enough to piss on their grave.

Watching NASCAR these days is almost as exciting as watching the LPGA tour on ESPN2. And I attribute that to the three following things.

Teams

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 29: (L-R) The Hendrick Motorsports team including Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Geoffrey Bodine, Team Owner Rick Hendrick, Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon, driver of th

Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned rivalry. I mean really. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon as teammates? It's like a kick in the nads to every Dale Sr. fan in existence.

Are the hippies taking over NASCAR?

Look out Talledega, Phish and Dave Matthews Band are pre-race entertainment. And don't forget to stick around for post-race smoothies.

The Cars

CONCORD, NC - MAY 25: Crew members stand on the pit road during a red flag for the national moment of silence during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Ge

Is it just me, or is NASCAR trying to make these cars look more like sports tuners than American muscle?

Now I, myself, drive a Honda, but when I tune in to watch a race at Bristol or Talledega or Daytona, I don't expect to see my Honda Civic out there running with what is supposed to be a V8 power plant that'll make a pre-pubescent boy's balls drop.

Make it old-school NASCAR. I'll start watching again.

Peace my Brothers.

CONCORD, NC - MAY 23: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevorlet, walks out of the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on May 23, 2009 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. (Pho

Give me some conflict. Give me some contact. Whatever happened to "Rubbin' is Racin'?" I understand that NASCAR is on a never-ending search for making racing as safe as possible, but I'd like to ask a very logical question in regards to the safety standards and regulations.

What exactly is safe about driving a car going 200mph on banked turns?

And lets get some tough guys in NASCAR who aren't afraid to knock someone's teeth out for getting him loose and into the wall. I'd probably be pretty pissed off too if a guy just made me wreck my million-dollar dream machine.

Conclusion

5 Mar 1999: Rusty Wallace #2 and Dale Earnhardt #3 pose for the camera during practice for the Las Vegas 400 of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport

Whatever NASCAR wants to blame it on, these three things ring true to me.

And if anyone from NASCAR actually sees this, and actually cares to read it. I want a finders fee for my pointers. Because god know that I'm just one of those good ol' boys longing for a good, hard-fought race and a little bit of money. :-D

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