NASCAR, i just don't get it. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

moonstrucksoul · 04-30-2004, 04:35 PM

what's the big deal about NASCAR, why are so many people into it?
Is it because everyone thinks that they are a hotshot driver and could do it? which I am sure that very few could and not get killed or kill someone else. Is the 'danger' of it what everyone likes? Do you watch, JUST to see wrecks? what's the appeal? no offense to anyone on the board, but MOST of the NASCAR fans I see or meet look like (by look, I mean mullets, missing teeth, sweatpants and Dale Earnheardt t shirt.) are idiots whose primary hobbies are drinking beer and playing 'GOLDEN TEE' at the bar.

matteo101 · 04-30-2004, 05:29 PM

I dont know the exact draw to NASCAR either. Is watching cars go around in circles for hours fun? I am kind of getting in to F1, and I really just think it is alot better to watch, because of the road courses. Someone care to inform us?

djtestudo · 04-30-2004, 06:36 PM

NASCAR is NOT a sport

RACING! YOUR F****** NUTS!

bellzboy · 04-30-2004, 07:15 PM

I'm a big racing fan, and I watch some NASCAR, but its towrds the bottom of my list, I'll watch just about any other series that runs on pavement first. It is really boring until the last few laps.

matteo101 · 04-30-2004, 08:14 PM

Yah, I guess the last few laps are usually pretty exciting, and some cool stuff can go down. I think it is also popular because alot of people like the whole "domestic" car scene. The fords, chevrolets and dodges. I think also people latch onto a certain driver, and follow him closely etc.

Mondak · 05-01-2004, 07:57 AM

Well, as part redneck, I will try to explain how I started following it.

I have very little in common with my family. They live on the east coast and are bible thumpers. I live on the west coast and am a heathen. I try to maintain relationships, paticularly with my brothers, and so about 9 years ago I started to look in the paper on Mondays and just learn who won each week. Then if I would talk to a family member, I would say something like

Hey! That was a crazy race this week. I can't believe (insert driver name here) won.

Figuring out who won each week got me an added benefit as well. At the time, I was doing an internship for Perdue Farms in their Transportation department. Yep - I would talk to truckers, warehouse people, mechanics and dispatchers as part of my job. I had to teach them how to use a new satelite tracking system for their trucks. UhHuh - darn 'puters - can't trust 'em.

Well as it turns out, talking with these folks about NASCAR - despite the fact that I knew VERY little other than a few names and who won that week - broke the ice and got them to listen to me when I needed to show them how the system could help them. No system is any good unless the users "buy in" to it. Getting them to WANT to use a new system is not easy to do when you have used plastic cards on a giant peg board or multiple phone calls to the people in the room with the peg borad to figure out where a truck is (READ: where a truck is SUPPOSED to be).

Over time I have figured out a few things that have helped me a lot. While Sports is a Universal Launguage, you have to pick the right one that the person is interested in to make it work. NASCAR has a gigantic following and a lot of people like to talk about it. You see - you don't need to know anything about NASCAR to speak it. You just need to get someone going on it and they will get all fired up.

It is not about the cars or their performance, it is about the personalities that drive the cars. Most of them are quiet and unassuming, but a few of them really stand out as polarizing figures. These fellows are the key to the sport. It used to be taking a position on whether Dale Earnhardt was evil could get you whereever you wanted to go. Babe Ruth of NASCAR died a few years back, but they still have their figures. Here are a couple:

Jeff Gordon - Fans either love him or want him dead. Married Miss Winston (cigaretes) a few years back (storybook romance no?) Got divorced last year. Wins a lot of races. Some people think he is a dirty driver. Coward, pussy, winner, etc. are common descriptions.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - See even if you HATED his dad, you don't really hate him in most cases since his dad is dead. Kind of a crown prince but with enough redneck in him so that people can identify instead of just hate the entitlement. Current NEXTEL Cup (Was Winston Cup) points leader
Matt Kenseth - Young guy, never an ill word type. Consistant winner. Won the Winston Cup last year. Comes in the top 10 a lot. Does not win a lot of races outright.
Ryan Newman - Graduated Perdue with Masters in Automotive Engineering. Comes in first or comes in a Fireball. One of a few racers that are fun to watch since he really goes for it.
Tony Stewart - Piss and vinegar. He does not hold back and NASCAR is always trying to sensor him. That makes some people mad (the ones who like drivers to behave and have respect etc.).
Bunch of old guys - These guys are really boring and always tell you what a great day of racing it is even as they come in 40th. The Anti-Tony Stewarts. There really can be a 70 year old out there on some days. Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace and many others can go here.
Young Guns - There are a whole bunch of younger guys who could bust out at any time. Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield, Kasey Khane, Jamie McMurry and many others.

So after just pretending to follow this sport for a couple of years, I kinda started to like it. I don't think I can watch a whole race (Unless it is Bristol - a half mile track that they stuff 43 cars going 200 MPH on twice a year). Mostly I leave it on in the background and watch the end of the race. As time goes by, you can develop your hatred of Jeff Gordon and figure out on your own that he gives blowjobs to NASCAR officials.

Oh yeah - and the mechanics are the real heros of this sport. . . figure that one out and you will get any blue collared NASCAR fan on your side. It is like the one universal truth to the sport.

bouray · 05-01-2004, 09:22 AM

Although nascar is popular, I agree with others that outside of the beginning and ending of the race....I don't understand watching left turn, left turn, left turn, etc. for 3+ hours. I guess there are specific points and strategies of the "sport", but I just can't get into it!

Halx · 05-01-2004, 10:30 AM

Count me in on this one. The only people I've seen enjoy NASCAR were drinking Coors and talking in hick accents.

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

H12 · 05-01-2004, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Halx
Count me in on this one. The only people I've seen enjoy NASCAR were drinking Coors and talking in hick accents.

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

Exactly, and I live in middle Tennessee! I don't drink Coors though, so I can't watch NASCAR...and that's a good thing. =)

thespian86 · 05-02-2004, 10:55 AM

I posted a thread on this already guys and gals

RACING! YOUR F****** NUTS!

Ace_O_Spades · 05-02-2004, 12:21 PM

The only racing i watch is Rally racing... basically because they are crazy as fuck

i cant watch nascar... it's... just.... yeah...

moonstrucksoul · 05-03-2004, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by punkmusicfan21
I posted a thread on this already guys and gals

RACING! YOUR F****** NUTS!

i ma not trying to debate it's merit as a sport, because it has merit. i was asking why people get hooked on it.

Mondak · 05-03-2004, 09:40 AM

I was wondering if any of the 6 people who commented after me read what I wrote?

I tried to give an example of why people get hooked on it to shed some light on the sport. Was it too long? Do you think I am wrong?

Halx · 05-03-2004, 09:48 AM

Mondak, I can see why people would be interested in the results. I don't understand how they can WATCH it like they do!

Bobaphat · 05-03-2004, 11:07 AM

I can't see why people would be interested in the results either or all the junk leading up to them. It makes absolutely no sense to me, but then I enjoy professional wrestling...

moonstrucksoul · 05-03-2004, 03:54 PM

i read it mondak and it made total sense, i would think that many people get into certain sports for the same reasons you did. whether it was to find common ground with strangers, or to realte to their old man.

Mondak · 05-03-2004, 06:24 PM

Ok - I feel better now. I had a short term crisis with this thread! Thanks for digging me out guys. I was all sensitive since I put time into it and everyone was still all "Yeah, I don't get it." Not that I was trying to get other people to like it. I just wanted them to get it.

Actually when Bobaphat said that he did not like it, but then again he watches Pro Wrestling - that is kind of it right there.

People follow the personalities and are drawn in from there. Driver X is evil and a jerk while Driver Y is better since he is (insert attribute here). You can argue about that in a lot of sports and the ones that people tend to be most passionite about are those that have "BIG" personalities. Wonder why mainstream America does not care about soccer (besides low scoring etc.?) It is because we don't know or care about the personalities in it.

If your dad was a democrat, most cases you are too. If someone exposes you to the personalities, then I bet you will watch it too.

tgg7979 · 05-03-2004, 07:00 PM

Theres been several threads on this here, and frankly, THEY ARE GETTIN FUCKIN OLD!

If you dont like it, fine, but jesus fuckin christ, how many times are u guys gonna make a thread on the same fuckin thing?!

moonstrucksoul · 05-04-2004, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tgg7979
Theres been several threads on this here, and frankly, THEY ARE GETTIN FUCKIN OLD!

If you dont like it, fine, but jesus fuckin christ, how many times are u guys gonna make a thread on the same fuckin thing?!

this isn't a bash on Nascar itself or the debate of it as a sport, this is one for the fans.
And here is where i invoke the "if you don't have anything of value to contribute, hit the fucking back button and move the fuck on!"

thespian86 · 05-04-2004, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonstrucksoul
i ma not trying to debate it's merit as a sport, because it has merit. i was asking why people get hooked on it.

Sorry about that, I was just trying to contribute the ideas already shared as to why it's an enjoyable sport that came from my thread Moonstrucksoul.

tgg7979 · 05-04-2004, 02:39 PM

And this is where I say FUCK YOU, and if nothing else, your opening post was bashin the fans.

Halx · 05-04-2004, 03:01 PM

this is where I say.. bye tgg7979, thanks for participating on the TFP.. no soup for you

DDDDave · 05-04-2004, 04:01 PM

Wow.

I just came back to this thread. Sorry to see it came to this. You did what you had to do Hal.

Now, where were we.....

Mondrak hit on a lot of the things that make it attractive. The personalities of the drivers of course are a big thing. It always has been. Remember, NASCAR has been around for a long time. Close to 40 years. The drivers stay around for a long time as compared to the three to five year life of your typical athlete. There are guys that have raced at the top level for 20 years. This allows people to follow them year after year. Also, they are known as individuals, not by the 'team they play for'. Only recently have there been 'pretty boys' like Jeff Gordon. Mostly the drivers are self made men who have paid their dues at small race tracks from all over the country. Most Americans can identify with that. (BTW, did you know that auto racing is the number one spectator sport in America? Reason: there is a race track in practically every small town, and they race all the time in all different classes. Not to mention that the superspeedway races that draw 200K - 400K.)

I personally have followed stock car racing for 25 years. My Dad was a local short track racer when I was a little kid, but gave it up when my sisters came along. I really get into the technology of racing. It seems very simple from the outside but everything always does. There is so much technology that goes into racing it is incredible. It is all about thinking of something that the other guy hasn't thought of. Like in baseball, cheating is respected as an acceptable way of getting ahead. The rules that must be followed to make the racing competetive encourage teams to try new and diffent things looking for an edge. Bill France (the father of NASCAR) realized that racing is entertainment and nobody will pay money to come out and watch the same guys win by ten laps every week. I think that is one of the major attractions to the mainstream fan. The ability for any particular driver/team to win on any given Sunday. The unpredictability of it all contributes to it's success. I really don't think it is the wrecks themselves that people causes people to watch. Considering that these guys race fender to fender at 180mph around a circular track that is as wide as a three lane interstate, there are actually very few accidents, and even fewer injuries and deaths. I personally think bull riding is more dangerous. Once again it is the unpredictability. I am a race fan in general, (Gee ya think) but F1 to me is almost boring. The Ferrarri factory teams have the most money and therefore the best technology. They buy the best driver and basically win every race. I really don't want to watch to see who is going to come in second. There is such a large disparity between the first and tenth place teams it is not even funny. There are really only three or four cars that have the technology to win each week.

Well, enough of my racing ramblings. Just thought I would add my two cents.

moonstrucksoul · 05-04-2004, 05:06 PM

thanks for intellectual responses on the fascination of this sport. I have been looking for intellectual people to combat my stereotype of the fans. MOST of you have.

Drvr91 · 05-04-2004, 05:42 PM

I cant agree with the way that guy posted, but u admit to stereotyping the fans. Why should anyone have to combat the stereotyping? Most intelligent people have figured out that stereotyping does nobody any good, and is usually very inaccurate.

moonstrucksoul · 05-04-2004, 06:05 PM

the point wasn't to combat the stereotype, but by people having an intelligent response giving reasons for their interest in it, other than a big FU, they are combating it. that's all.

Drvr91 · 05-04-2004, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonstrucksoul
the point wasn't to combat the stereotype, but by people having an intelligent response giving reasons for their interest in it, other than a big FU, they are combating it. that's all.

2 posts ago u were sayin u were lookin for people to combat it

As for why the interest in it. I hate to say this, but a friend once put it to me this way, "Its a guys equivelant of a Soap Opera, seein who does what to who and how bad they piss someone off."

I hate that explanation, but Id imagine thats the appeal of it for alot of people. Not me mind you, but alot of people. I like it for the racing. Everyone says, boring, turn left, turn left. Most of those people dont have a concept of how fast these cars and the drivers are moving. Yeah, they turn left a couple times a lap, but they do that at nearly 160 - 170 mph after slowing down from nearly 200 mph when they are on the gas.

I think that if alot of people truly knew how fast that is, theyd have more appreciation for the sport and more wonder for how they do it time after time.

As a fan, Ill admit its hard to watch a whole race, they can get boring, but usually theres always something happening to someone, and it can be fun to see how they handle whatever it is, and see how the rest of their day is gona be.

moonstrucksoul · 05-04-2004, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drvr91
2 posts ago u were sayin u were lookin for people to combat it

you're right i did, hmm, i have now officially confused myself, d'oh.
what i had meant to say was the original point wasn't to, but as the thread moved along, i am glad they did.

DDDDave · 05-05-2004, 03:54 AM

P.S. LIfe is a soap opera.

Mondak · 05-05-2004, 02:57 PM

Wow - that was unexpected. Well - beyond that little outburst - I think the Soap Opera analagy is not too far off. Just like any sport. Although I am not on the edge of my seat wondering if "Victor" is going to drive into the wall in a ball of flames at 200mph. . . Maybe I would watch soapes then though. . .

SteelGlider · 05-05-2004, 05:41 PM

I think some of you missed an important point.....there's actually passing in Nascar. Somebody mentioned F1.....nice in theory, but when you have the guy on the pole going from flag to flag for the entire race, it's about as exciting as wet felt. Not to mention its usually the same guy for every freaking race, I mean come on.

Don't get me wrong, Nascar isn't without it's problems, that's for sure. My main beef is the races are too long, finishing them up in 2 hours or so seems appropriate to me, but their races are in the 3-4 hour range. Which is why I watch the first few laps, turn it off, and then click it on with about 60 or 50 laps to go. And I don't care what the circumstances are, no race should finish under yellow, ever, that's the complete opposite of the idea of a race.

To me, CART racing before the Indy split was pretty cool. You had road courses and a few ovals, most of the races were finished in about 2 hours or so......and more than one guy contended for the title. But, the split pretty much killed it, Cart is known as something else now and is practically bankrupt. And Indy only races on ovals and doesn't have enough races throughout a season IMO.

Rally racing is interesting, but the problem is that it doesn't translate to TV that well. The viewer doesn't get a real feel for the course because, for all intents and purposes, they can't see the whole thing....with all it's turns, bumps and changes and the fact that it's a point to point to race. Plus, it also doesn't help that they aren't ever televised live, which is mostly due to the locations of the races.

Touring car racing is pretty cool, with all the different makes of cars available to race making it interesting. Just don't get why some of them race different speed classes at the same time too.....never could understand that. And, there's the problem that just about nobody knows who the drivers are.

Oh, and auto racing is a sport. Those guys have to have the mental toughness to concentrate for every part of a course lap after lap at high speeds (hell, look at the amount of idiots that can't even concentrate long enough to go to the grocery store at 30 mph) and they have to be able to physically handle the heat, the forces of the car, and have the endurance to do it for a whole race. Plus, as we've seen in some unfortunate events, they are putting their lives on the line.

crow_daw · 05-05-2004, 06:40 PM

I am a certified Southern Boy. I talk with a thick ass Southern accent. That being said.....

I hate NASCAR.

I just don't get it. Its the single most boring thing I've ever watched. I did really respect Earnhardt though. And I do absolutely think that it IS a sport. People misunderstand how much it takes to do what they do. But still, I can't help but absolutely hate it.

Note: The only person I really know who loves NASCAR is my friends mom, who is a bonafide Yankee. So that just goes to show ya once again that stereotypes are total bullshit.

Also, and this is my last thing, Hal, good damn job brother. That guy deserved it.

Drvr91 · 05-05-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crow_daw
Also, and this is my last thing, Hal, good damn job brother. That guy deserved it.

He sure did

Conclamo Ludus · 05-05-2004, 07:03 PM

NASCAR is a sport of subtelties. It takes time to appreciate these. Once you get it though, you are hooked. I'm a geek through and through with nary a hick-bone in my body, but Sunday's you'll find me with can-cooler in hand tossing back Natural Light and swearing at the tv. Its one of the most misunderstood sports around, because so few people attempt to get into it. NASCAR fans are usually raised as NASCAR fans, rarely does someone just turn on the tv and become fascinated with it some Sunday afternoon. It happened to me though, and it can happen to you too.

Peetster · 05-06-2004, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drvr91
He sure did

Yes, you sure did.

crow_daw · 05-10-2004, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Drvr91
He sure did

Oh, Irony, you cruel cruel bitch!!!

Halx · 05-10-2004, 08:13 PM

i saw a little bit on espn today about how there are no minority drivers in the main nascar circuit. It suddenly became clear to me why I felt no affinity with the 'sport'

santafe5000 · 05-10-2004, 08:14 PM

I am more into F1. Have enjoyed it since i saw "Gran Prix" back in the "60's". Don't really care for Nascar.

cameroncrazy822 · 05-11-2004, 05:50 AM

Left turns and gas, hmmm that doesn't sound sporting to me. Maybe in Hazzard County though....

cameroncrazy822 · 05-12-2004, 07:24 AM

Although let me say that I can appreciate the fervor that fans of the sport show. They are very faithful and dedicated/loyal to their driver/sport. Not my thing but that's ok... different strokes and all that stuff.

04-30-2004, 04:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	NASCAR, i just don't get it. what's the big deal about NASCAR, why are so many people into it? Is it because everyone thinks that they are a hotshot driver and could do it? which I am sure that very few could and not get killed or kill someone else. Is the 'danger' of it what everyone likes? Do you watch, JUST to see wrecks? what's the appeal? no offense to anyone on the board, but MOST of the NASCAR fans I see or meet look like (by look, I mean mullets, missing teeth, sweatpants and Dale Earnheardt t shirt.) are idiots whose primary hobbies are drinking beer and playing 'GOLDEN TEE' at the bar. __________________ no signature required

04-30-2004, 06:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	NASCAR is NOT a sport RACING! YOUR F****** NUTS! __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

05-01-2004, 10:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Count me in on this one. The only people I've seen enjoy NASCAR were drinking Coors and talking in hick accents. WHAT IS THE DEAL? __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-02-2004, 10:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
thespian86 change is hard. Location: the green room.	I posted a thread on this already guys and gals RACING! YOUR F****** NUTS! __________________ EX: Whats new? ME: I officially love coffee more then you now. EX: uh... ME: So, not much.

05-02-2004, 12:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ace_O_Spades The Death Card Location: EH!?!?	The only racing i watch is Rally racing... basically because they are crazy as fuck i cant watch nascar... it's... just.... yeah... __________________ Feh.

04-30-2004, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
matteo101 In transition Location: north, no south abit, over to the right, getting warmer...there!	I dont know the exact draw to NASCAR either. Is watching cars go around in circles for hours fun? I am kind of getting in to F1, and I really just think it is alot better to watch, because of the road courses. Someone care to inform us?

04-30-2004, 07:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
bellzboy Crazy	I'm a big racing fan, and I watch some NASCAR, but its towrds the bottom of my list, I'll watch just about any other series that runs on pavement first. It is really boring until the last few laps.

04-30-2004, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
matteo101 In transition Location: north, no south abit, over to the right, getting warmer...there!	Yah, I guess the last few laps are usually pretty exciting, and some cool stuff can go down. I think it is also popular because alot of people like the whole "domestic" car scene. The fords, chevrolets and dodges. I think also people latch onto a certain driver, and follow him closely etc.

05-01-2004, 07:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Well, as part redneck, I will try to explain how I started following it. I have very little in common with my family. They live on the east coast and are bible thumpers. I live on the west coast and am a heathen. I try to maintain relationships, paticularly with my brothers, and so about 9 years ago I started to look in the paper on Mondays and just learn who won each week. Then if I would talk to a family member, I would say something like Hey! That was a crazy race this week. I can't believe (insert driver name here) won. Figuring out who won each week got me an added benefit as well. At the time, I was doing an internship for Perdue Farms in their Transportation department. Yep - I would talk to truckers, warehouse people, mechanics and dispatchers as part of my job. I had to teach them how to use a new satelite tracking system for their trucks. UhHuh - darn 'puters - can't trust 'em. Well as it turns out, talking with these folks about NASCAR - despite the fact that I knew VERY little other than a few names and who won that week - broke the ice and got them to listen to me when I needed to show them how the system could help them. No system is any good unless the users "buy in" to it. Getting them to WANT to use a new system is not easy to do when you have used plastic cards on a giant peg board or multiple phone calls to the people in the room with the peg borad to figure out where a truck is (READ: where a truck is SUPPOSED to be). Over time I have figured out a few things that have helped me a lot. While Sports is a Universal Launguage, you have to pick the right one that the person is interested in to make it work. NASCAR has a gigantic following and a lot of people like to talk about it. You see - you don't need to know anything about NASCAR to speak it. You just need to get someone going on it and they will get all fired up. It is not about the cars or their performance, it is about the personalities that drive the cars. Most of them are quiet and unassuming, but a few of them really stand out as polarizing figures. These fellows are the key to the sport. It used to be taking a position on whether Dale Earnhardt was evil could get you whereever you wanted to go. Babe Ruth of NASCAR died a few years back, but they still have their figures. Here are a couple: Jeff Gordon - Fans either love him or want him dead. Married Miss Winston (cigaretes) a few years back (storybook romance no?) Got divorced last year. Wins a lot of races. Some people think he is a dirty driver. Coward, pussy, winner, etc. are common descriptions. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - See even if you HATED his dad, you don't really hate him in most cases since his dad is dead. Kind of a crown prince but with enough redneck in him so that people can identify instead of just hate the entitlement. Current NEXTEL Cup (Was Winston Cup) points leader Matt Kenseth - Young guy, never an ill word type. Consistant winner. Won the Winston Cup last year. Comes in the top 10 a lot. Does not win a lot of races outright. Ryan Newman - Graduated Perdue with Masters in Automotive Engineering. Comes in first or comes in a Fireball. One of a few racers that are fun to watch since he really goes for it. Tony Stewart - Piss and vinegar. He does not hold back and NASCAR is always trying to sensor him. That makes some people mad (the ones who like drivers to behave and have respect etc.). Bunch of old guys - These guys are really boring and always tell you what a great day of racing it is even as they come in 40th. The Anti-Tony Stewarts. There really can be a 70 year old out there on some days. Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace and many others can go here. Young Guns - There are a whole bunch of younger guys who could bust out at any time. Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield, Kasey Khane, Jamie McMurry and many others. So after just pretending to follow this sport for a couple of years, I kinda started to like it. I don't think I can watch a whole race (Unless it is Bristol - a half mile track that they stuff 43 cars going 200 MPH on twice a year). Mostly I leave it on in the background and watch the end of the race. As time goes by, you can develop your hatred of Jeff Gordon and figure out on your own that he gives blowjobs to NASCAR officials. Oh yeah - and the mechanics are the real heros of this sport. . . figure that one out and you will get any blue collared NASCAR fan on your side. It is like the one universal truth to the sport.

05-01-2004, 09:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
bouray Insane Location: Bayou Country	Although nascar is popular, I agree with others that outside of the beginning and ending of the race....I don't understand watching left turn, left turn, left turn, etc. for 3+ hours. I guess there are specific points and strategies of the "sport", but I just can't get into it!

05-03-2004, 09:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	I was wondering if any of the 6 people who commented after me read what I wrote? I tried to give an example of why people get hooked on it to shed some light on the sport. Was it too long? Do you think I am wrong? __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

05-03-2004, 09:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Mondak, I can see why people would be interested in the results. I don't understand how they can WATCH it like they do! __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-03-2004, 11:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	I can't see why people would be interested in the results either or all the junk leading up to them. It makes absolutely no sense to me, but then I enjoy professional wrestling... __________________ --size matters not-- yoda

05-03-2004, 03:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	i read it mondak and it made total sense, i would think that many people get into certain sports for the same reasons you did. whether it was to find common ground with strangers, or to realte to their old man. __________________ no signature required

05-03-2004, 06:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Ok - I feel better now. I had a short term crisis with this thread! Thanks for digging me out guys. I was all sensitive since I put time into it and everyone was still all "Yeah, I don't get it." Not that I was trying to get other people to like it. I just wanted them to get it. Actually when Bobaphat said that he did not like it, but then again he watches Pro Wrestling - that is kind of it right there. People follow the personalities and are drawn in from there. Driver X is evil and a jerk while Driver Y is better since he is (insert attribute here). You can argue about that in a lot of sports and the ones that people tend to be most passionite about are those that have "BIG" personalities. Wonder why mainstream America does not care about soccer (besides low scoring etc.?) It is because we don't know or care about the personalities in it. If your dad was a democrat, most cases you are too. If someone exposes you to the personalities, then I bet you will watch it too. __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

05-03-2004, 07:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
tgg7979 Loser	Theres been several threads on this here, and frankly, THEY ARE GETTIN FUCKIN OLD! If you dont like it, fine, but jesus fuckin christ, how many times are u guys gonna make a thread on the same fuckin thing?!

05-04-2004, 02:39 PM	#21 (permalink)
tgg7979 Loser	And this is where I say FUCK YOU, and if nothing else, your opening post was bashin the fans. Last edited by tgg7979; 05-04-2004 at 02:58 PM..

05-04-2004, 03:01 PM	#22 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	this is where I say.. bye tgg7979, thanks for participating on the TFP.. no soup for you __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-04-2004, 04:01 PM	#23 (permalink)
DDDDave Addict Location: Sarasota	Wow. I just came back to this thread. Sorry to see it came to this. You did what you had to do Hal. Now, where were we..... Mondrak hit on a lot of the things that make it attractive. The personalities of the drivers of course are a big thing. It always has been. Remember, NASCAR has been around for a long time. Close to 40 years. The drivers stay around for a long time as compared to the three to five year life of your typical athlete. There are guys that have raced at the top level for 20 years. This allows people to follow them year after year. Also, they are known as individuals, not by the 'team they play for'. Only recently have there been 'pretty boys' like Jeff Gordon. Mostly the drivers are self made men who have paid their dues at small race tracks from all over the country. Most Americans can identify with that. (BTW, did you know that auto racing is the number one spectator sport in America? Reason: there is a race track in practically every small town, and they race all the time in all different classes. Not to mention that the superspeedway races that draw 200K - 400K.) I personally have followed stock car racing for 25 years. My Dad was a local short track racer when I was a little kid, but gave it up when my sisters came along. I really get into the technology of racing. It seems very simple from the outside but everything always does. There is so much technology that goes into racing it is incredible. It is all about thinking of something that the other guy hasn't thought of. Like in baseball, cheating is respected as an acceptable way of getting ahead. The rules that must be followed to make the racing competetive encourage teams to try new and diffent things looking for an edge. Bill France (the father of NASCAR) realized that racing is entertainment and nobody will pay money to come out and watch the same guys win by ten laps every week. I think that is one of the major attractions to the mainstream fan. The ability for any particular driver/team to win on any given Sunday. The unpredictability of it all contributes to it's success. I really don't think it is the wrecks themselves that people causes people to watch. Considering that these guys race fender to fender at 180mph around a circular track that is as wide as a three lane interstate, there are actually very few accidents, and even fewer injuries and deaths. I personally think bull riding is more dangerous. Once again it is the unpredictability. I am a race fan in general, (Gee ya think) but F1 to me is almost boring. The Ferrarri factory teams have the most money and therefore the best technology. They buy the best driver and basically win every race. I really don't want to watch to see who is going to come in second. There is such a large disparity between the first and tenth place teams it is not even funny. There are really only three or four cars that have the technology to win each week. Well, enough of my racing ramblings. Just thought I would add my two cents. __________________ I am just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe... "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Thoreau "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm" - Emerson

05-04-2004, 05:06 PM	#24 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	thanks for intellectual responses on the fascination of this sport. I have been looking for intellectual people to combat my stereotype of the fans. MOST of you have. __________________ no signature required

05-04-2004, 05:42 PM	#25 (permalink)
Drvr91 Banned	I cant agree with the way that guy posted, but u admit to stereotyping the fans. Why should anyone have to combat the stereotyping? Most intelligent people have figured out that stereotyping does nobody any good, and is usually very inaccurate.

05-04-2004, 06:05 PM	#26 (permalink)
moonstrucksoul hovering in the distance Location: the land of milk and honey	the point wasn't to combat the stereotype, but by people having an intelligent response giving reasons for their interest in it, other than a big FU, they are combating it. that's all. __________________ no signature required

05-05-2004, 03:54 AM	#29 (permalink)
DDDDave Addict Location: Sarasota	P.S. LIfe is a soap opera. __________________ I am just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe... "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Thoreau "Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm" - Emerson Last edited by DDDDave; 05-06-2004 at 07:38 AM..

05-05-2004, 02:57 PM	#30 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Wow - that was unexpected. Well - beyond that little outburst - I think the Soap Opera analagy is not too far off. Just like any sport. Although I am not on the edge of my seat wondering if "Victor" is going to drive into the wall in a ball of flames at 200mph. . . Maybe I would watch soapes then though. . . __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

05-05-2004, 05:41 PM	#31 (permalink)
SteelGlider Upright	I think some of you missed an important point.....there's actually passing in Nascar. Somebody mentioned F1.....nice in theory, but when you have the guy on the pole going from flag to flag for the entire race, it's about as exciting as wet felt. Not to mention its usually the same guy for every freaking race, I mean come on. Don't get me wrong, Nascar isn't without it's problems, that's for sure. My main beef is the races are too long, finishing them up in 2 hours or so seems appropriate to me, but their races are in the 3-4 hour range. Which is why I watch the first few laps, turn it off, and then click it on with about 60 or 50 laps to go. And I don't care what the circumstances are, no race should finish under yellow, ever, that's the complete opposite of the idea of a race. To me, CART racing before the Indy split was pretty cool. You had road courses and a few ovals, most of the races were finished in about 2 hours or so......and more than one guy contended for the title. But, the split pretty much killed it, Cart is known as something else now and is practically bankrupt. And Indy only races on ovals and doesn't have enough races throughout a season IMO. Rally racing is interesting, but the problem is that it doesn't translate to TV that well. The viewer doesn't get a real feel for the course because, for all intents and purposes, they can't see the whole thing....with all it's turns, bumps and changes and the fact that it's a point to point to race. Plus, it also doesn't help that they aren't ever televised live, which is mostly due to the locations of the races. Touring car racing is pretty cool, with all the different makes of cars available to race making it interesting. Just don't get why some of them race different speed classes at the same time too.....never could understand that. And, there's the problem that just about nobody knows who the drivers are. Oh, and auto racing is a sport. Those guys have to have the mental toughness to concentrate for every part of a course lap after lap at high speeds (hell, look at the amount of idiots that can't even concentrate long enough to go to the grocery store at 30 mph) and they have to be able to physically handle the heat, the forces of the car, and have the endurance to do it for a whole race. Plus, as we've seen in some unfortunate events, they are putting their lives on the line. Last edited by SteelGlider; 05-05-2004 at 05:45 PM..

05-05-2004, 06:40 PM	#32 (permalink)
crow_daw Idolator Location: Vol Country	I am a certified Southern Boy. I talk with a thick ass Southern accent. That being said..... I hate NASCAR. I just don't get it. Its the single most boring thing I've ever watched. I did really respect Earnhardt though. And I do absolutely think that it IS a sport. People misunderstand how much it takes to do what they do. But still, I can't help but absolutely hate it. Note: The only person I really know who loves NASCAR is my friends mom, who is a bonafide Yankee. So that just goes to show ya once again that stereotypes are total bullshit. Also, and this is my last thing, Hal, good damn job brother. That guy deserved it. __________________ "We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

05-05-2004, 07:03 PM	#34 (permalink)
Conclamo Ludus Modern Man Location: West Michigan	NASCAR is a sport of subtelties. It takes time to appreciate these. Once you get it though, you are hooked. I'm a geek through and through with nary a hick-bone in my body, but Sunday's you'll find me with can-cooler in hand tossing back Natural Light and swearing at the tv. Its one of the most misunderstood sports around, because so few people attempt to get into it. NASCAR fans are usually raised as NASCAR fans, rarely does someone just turn on the tv and become fascinated with it some Sunday afternoon. It happened to me though, and it can happen to you too. __________________ Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold. -Son House, Death Letter Blues

05-10-2004, 08:13 PM	#37 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	i saw a little bit on espn today about how there are no minority drivers in the main nascar circuit. It suddenly became clear to me why I felt no affinity with the 'sport' __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

05-10-2004, 08:14 PM	#38 (permalink)
santafe5000 EVIL! Location: Southwest of nowhere	I am more into F1. Have enjoyed it since i saw "Gran Prix" back in the "60's". Don't really care for Nascar. __________________ When all else fails, QUIT.

05-11-2004, 05:50 AM	#39 (permalink)
cameroncrazy822 Junkie Location: MD	Left turns and gas, hmmm that doesn't sound sporting to me. Maybe in Hazzard County though....

05-12-2004, 07:24 AM	#40 (permalink)
cameroncrazy822 Junkie Location: MD	Although let me say that I can appreciate the fervor that fans of the sport show. They are very faithful and dedicated/loyal to their driver/sport. Not my thing but that's ok... different strokes and all that stuff.