Nascar

[Liquor Dealer]

Got back from the races about 3 this morning. Left here at 11 Saturday night! And for what???? To watch a four hour parade - a large part of which was run under yellow (and, I might ad - most unnecessary) Texas Motor Speedway is a fuckin' nightmare! There seems to be no real effort made to direct traffic in or out of this facility which is located on a very busy, and for the most part, two lane section of I-35.

I love racing - events run the way yesterday's race was run ruins it for everyone. Much ado came out of Junior's "intentional" spin to bring out the yellow last week - Yesterday's caution to keep Kenseth from being lapped was just as ludicrous! Maybe more so! The race, run the way yesterday's Texas farce was run cost Kasey Kahne a well earned and deserved first win. I don't understand how some tracks can get you in and out with little hassle while others, mainly Texas, seem to care about nothing once their event is sold out.

[Mondak]

Well - the only reasonable way I can see these things is if I am with someone with an RV. Then you have somewhere to hang out for hours after the race until it is calmed down enough to leave.

You are correct though. I am not sure there is a good way to get away from the track - especially a place Like Texas Motor Speedway. I think it is the 2nd highest attendance of the year for NASCAR. That is a lot of people despite however many highways lead away from the site.

As far as the race was concerned, it was not too fun to watch. I liked Bristol a whole lot. Sometimes the rules don't work out, sometimes they do. I don't think that they are opposed on the whole to making changes in NASCAR that make the races more exciting. They do what they can right or wrong.

I think it is killer that you got to go. I am waiting to find out if my friend who works for B&D got me pit passes to the Fontana Race in California. That would be cool, although I will plan to do a LOT of sitting around after the race is over.

[Liquor Dealer]

Mondak said "Well - the only reasonable way I can see these things is if I am with someone with an RV. Then you have somewhere to hang out for hours after the race until it is calmed down enough to leave".

The Bristol race was great - Usually the short tracks are a lot more interesting. The RV thing is great if you have that option - We're 400 miles form Ft. Worth and had to work until 10 PM Saturday night and had to be back to work at 7 this morning - not a real fun way to do it - even when there is a great race - definitely not a great way to do it for a sub-par race.

[laconic1]

I have found myself less and less interested in NASCAR since they seem to crave running on these bland, boring 1.5 mile D-shaped ovals, and insist on being as stupid as possible. Did you hear about how they are planning on taking a race from Watkins Glen and running in Mexico City in a year or two? How about giving races to tracks in the U.S. that want races. How about a race at Pikes Peak where you can actually race side by side, and the speeds aren't so ridiculous that you have aero push all day long. It would be a good replacement race for Rockingham.

I'm also tired of NASCAR doing everything they can to destroy the value of a sponsorship. They wonder why they can't get 43 quality teams to show up, and then you have the official everything of NASCAR now. Big Bill France used to believe that you don't do anything to hurt your race teams, such as take sponsors from them, or limit their tv exposure, but Brian France and Mike Helton dont get it. They did a piss poor job negotiating the tv contracts so teams, races and tracks don't get mentions unless their sponsor buys ad time. Remember the 2000 Cracker Barrel 500 that Earnhardt won by 2 feet over Labonte? All race long ABC referred to it as the Cracker Barrel 500. Great exposure. In 2001 Fox referred to the race as "NASCAR racing presented by UPS" Cracker Barrel got no exposure for its 1.5 million dollars and hasn't sponsored the race since.
I have been a NASCAR fan since 1992, and while it is great to see some of the changes that have occurred, some of the other changes have basically driven me from that end of the sport. I'll stick to short track racing from now on.

[Mondak]

Sponsors are the key and make the cars turn left.

I will never forget, Jeremy Mayfield was in 43rd place and he was having trouble with his engine overheating at the California Race in Fontana. My wife was making fun of me since I was / am a Mayfield fan and he came back to win the race. When he got into the winners circle, he told the world how no other motor oil except Mobil1 would have withstood the extreme heat his engine was putting on his car.

His sponsor was Mobil1. Everyone watching that race KNEW that his car was a POS and his engine was running hot. What a great way to reward your sponsor for sticking by you.

It is happening less and less that these sponsors - win or lose - are getting the spotlight. Instead or sponsoring a care like bill said, just sponsr some comercials. Works just the same.

You need a visionary in charge and there is no reason to believe that the France offspring have the vision to keep the sport moving.