Leave NASCAR alone.
Stop trying to reduce the season, stop trying to reduce the races. Stop trying to change the new car.
These phrases go out to many different people and all the same people. So here's my take on the above topics that have not only dominated the offseason but seems to be the same response by different people.
Shortening the 36 race schedule
After weeks of reading everyone say because of declining attendance and the poor economy does NASCARs' top series really need a 36 week schedule? And my answer is yes. The shorter schedule might have worked early on but that was before major sponsorships and races that carried fortune 500 companies names each week.
Yes, the sport matters and the drivers aren't out there just for the money. They love racing, but for the companies that pay millions for their name on the races it's all about money. They want profit and NASCAR does just that.
Yes it's a grueling schedule but these drivers know this going into the season and into the sport.
They are aware that racing takes up time both on and off the track. These drivers still have families, and have time to themselves while it is limited. But you ask A.J. Allmendinger would he rather work 9-5, Monday through Friday with days off or would he rather race?—he'll probably tell you race.
Could there be changes to the schedule like replacing some of these tracks that carry two races but don't sell out with tracks and location that can sell out consistently?
Absolutely.
Tracks like California where they barely sell out each year but carry two races could bring in profit moving a second race to Las Vegas, where they sell out. But even the professional writers couldn't persuade NASCAR management to make a change like that and I doubt it would happen anytime soon.
Stop trying to shorten races
Leave the Pocono 500 alone, Bristol is fine at 500 miles. The racing will get better and what seem like too many as races that are way too long, getting interesting only in the end, will get better. Drivers are figuring out the cars and while I know the long races for some get boring I personally don't mind watching 500 miles at Pocono.
There is always something happening and always an unknown variable so for me the race lengths are fine.
Stop complaining, you will sit and watch anyways. Not because there is nothing else on but because you still have a passion for racing and that alone will make you watch these races.
Stop trying to fix the cars
Look coming into 2008, these cars had only ran part-time in 2007. They hadn't been ran on many types of track and teams were spending millions on two different style's of cars. With the economy beginning to tailspin, NASCAR made the choice to implement the new car in 2008.
With so many of us fans hating the new car, and crying for NASCAR to allow this team more "grey" area, are pleas aren't working.
7 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
D-Boy 6 months ago
I for one haven't been asking for much. Some tweaks to which races are in the Chase would be nice(I think each Chase track should be as unique as possible) are what I'd most like to see. Problem is, I can't work out a way to make my ideas work really well, mostly due to timing(a lot of the best racetracks to help make the Chase unique are in places that really aren't a good idea to go to at that time of the year).
But I do favor shortening some races. Not because they're boring, I just think the Daytona 500 should be NASCAR's only 500-mile race, unless you want to do like IndyCar did in the 80s and make some kind of Triple Crown or something similar for the 500-miler events. It'd help with exposure if you did, but as things stand now I think having other 500-milers takes away some of Daytona's uniqueness.
That said, I always get annoyed at people who want to scrap the new car. As the season progressed, the only complaint that hasn't faded is comments on their looks. My opinion on the matter is well-known: Looks are the last thing you worry about. People for a while questioned if it was really a safer car. That question was eliminated my Michael McDowell's crash.
People who continue to question the new car's ability to get racy need only look at Indy. People get so caught up in the tire disaster that they forget how GOOD the racing was during all those 10-lap sprints.
After their first full season, everytime I see someone continue to complain about the new car I want to punch them in the face.
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Patti Rodisch 6 months ago
I like the current length of the races. I know for some its too long but if its not broke don't fix it. I think thye need to find a way to adapt to the current economy and shortening races doesn't do that. I think the new car has improved. And I expect it to continue to change. These guys will figure out the car and the spped. It's new and we sure don't like change. I am not to worried. It will get better.
I agree the Indy debacle distracted people from the good racing that was happening and I think had it not been for the tires a few other drivers would have made Jimmie work harder for that win. (not that he didn't earn or work hard for the win). We all just need to sit back and take in the racing. I agree I think the chase races need to be more exciting. I think that some of the tracks are not chase worthy I like the move of Talladega right at the end of the chase the real wild card. There are a few races I'd rather see in the chase than where they currently sit. but NASCAR won't be making changesanytime soon. like I said if it ain't broke don't fix it!! thansk for your comments I have to admit iw as one who complained complained about the cars but I stopped complaining when I began to see results.
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Mary Jo Buchanan 6 months ago
Patti, sounds like you're in the "Stop Whining Nascar Fans" camp as we close the year! You go girl! Merry Christmas!
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Patti Rodisch 6 months ago
well I am very much tired of everyone complaining; this is todays nascar, would I love to see somethings change yes, but they are not going to so stop complaining. I am in small group most don't agree, but this is the way it will be and it's not suddenly going to change so stop complaining and move on much bigger issues that as fans we can push and address within the sport. but thanks for your comments. some places I post my work on tend to be so negative and all the comments and people don't want to hear another point of view becuase they feel they are superior to you so they comment and write you off and here that doesn't happen and that's why I enjoy writing here, we can disagree but people respect each other!!!
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S M Napier 6 months ago
I don't necessarily consider my comments as whining, I've merely made myself the voice of the smaller teams on B/R, sure NASCAR is a private company and they don't have to help the smaller team. But bottom line, why sacrifice a organization like NASCAR for Rick Hendrick's and Jack Roush's over spending and forcing teams out who's only crime is they can't keep up with those two lavish spending.
NASCAR has run far too long, disregarding keeping the expenses down, you can't let price yourself out of the market for new owners & sponsors to enter, you can't lose teams and other than Ginn who's bought in, no one that's a major problem. Yeah, Randy Moss bought in but, in trucks he didn't try to get into Cup and he's a smarter guy than most give him credit for. Plus Brian France is like "Barney Fife", the only problem they gave him a loaded gun and he just keeps shooting himself in the foot with all his wonderful decisions, really someone needs to step up remove him and save NASCAR before it's gone.
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Patti Rodisch 6 months ago
SM I shoulnd't say whining, I don't disagree the money issues within the sport is whats troubling. I know nascar is trying to cut cost with limiting testing and such. and organizations are laying off employees and limiting those traveling to the track. But I think were all so focused on shortening the season and races that were forgetting about the broader issues that are being ignored and NASCAR will not change length of the season or the races and I don't see them eliminating races from certain tracks. NASCAR "Brightest" are money hungry and have forgotten about those who have gotten them where they are. Theya re noy listening to us the fans so why beat drum any harder as my grandma would say. If they haven't heard us yet why keep beatin...?? Where is all the money going that is being funneled into the sport? How is it an organization like DEI and Petty can't keep sponsors while organizations like RCR and HMS and RFR and JGR have many sponsors and not enough drivers? I want to see how NASCAR is spending before I can say nascar needs to cut races? becasue by cutting races off the schedule there are people being laid off and losing jobsat those tracks in a time when unemployment is at an all time high ? thank you for your comment.. I want to see action by NASCAR but not at the cost of someone livlihood and thats what we are asking for.
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al asifyouknow 6 months ago
Patti i believe the money problems are bigger then they are letting us know , there is a report by Jeff Hammond on fox sports about DEI-GANASSI already having problem, aperantly some of the folks have not been getting paid, That is not a good start for that team. Im sure there are lots similar stories we dont know about . Maybe someday in NASCAR there will be 10 well funded teams with 4 cars each and a 40 car field , maybe that will be here sooner than later.
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