NASCAR - What a money pit

[Chumpman]

saying NASCAR is a sport is like saying "cyberathletics" is a sport (playing computer games)

 

[jmelnek]

People are just jeleous that NASCAR is very poplular and their sport isn't.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: jmelnek
People are just jeleous that NASCAR is very poplular and their sport isn't.

Not quite. It's cap-wearing rednecks who are more often fans of nascar than educated professionals. it's popular in the US because there are a lot of inbred cap-wearing hicks, and they prefer the sport. You don't see many people watching yachting regattas with painted chests, because fans of that sport are classier.

 

[boyRacer]

First of all I'm a fan of F1 and a Ferrari fanboy... and NASCAR has a different audience than Formula One.

C'DaleRider is right though... i would like to see how many people say they like F1 but saw that parade at Imola last Sunday. Ferrari is running away with the championship... again. ...and fans of other teams are losing interest because of the domination.

Without restrictor plate racing in NASCAR... the cars will be running around Talladega at 225mph... and if one of those things crashes and flies over the catch fencing into a crowd... oh yey... so much for going all fast huh? Lawsuits will be flying instead... and that will be the end of NASCAR. They are limiting the speed for the safety of their fans and their drivers. High speed ovals are dangerous. Period. The cars are purpose kept low-tech because of cost... their general audience doesnt care about all the gadgets and wizadry of electronics. When you dont have to spend that much on running the team... you can spend a lot more of everything. Theres 40 freaking races in one season. A couple of years ago there were only 30-32. "More is better" huh?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: jmelnek
People are just jeleous that NASCAR is very poplular and their sport isn't.

Not quite. It's cap-wearing rednecks who are more often fans of nascar than educated professionals. it's popular in the US because there are a lot of inbred cap-wearing hicks, and they prefer the sport. You don't see many people watching yachting regattas with painted chests, because fans of that sport are classier.

Yea because the fans painting their body and/or wearing dress's, masks, etc... at football games is SOOO classy

 

[jmelnek]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: jmelnek
People are just jeleous that NASCAR is very poplular and their sport isn't.

Not quite. It's cap-wearing rednecks who are more often fans of nascar than educated professionals. it's popular in the US because there are a lot of inbred cap-wearing hicks, and they prefer the sport. You don't see many people watching yachting regattas with painted chests, because fans of that sport are classier.

People don't watch yachting because it sucks, but who am I to talk I am just an average american not an "educated professional", I guess you are supprised that I can even use a computer huh? Being a redneck and all.

 

[CraigRT]

hate it.. worthless "sport"

WRC or F1 are examples of good motorsports

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: jmelnek
People are just jeleous that NASCAR is very poplular and their sport isn't.

Not quite. It's cap-wearing rednecks who are more often fans of nascar than educated professionals. it's popular in the US because there are a lot of inbred cap-wearing hicks, and they prefer the sport. You don't see many people watching yachting regattas with painted chests, because fans of that sport are classier.

Yea because the fans painting their body and/or wearing dress's, masks, etc... at football games is SOOO classy

Football isn't much classier. Nascar, football, baseball, all created to appease the simple minds of the mases and relieve the duldrums of their aimless lives.

 

[Anubis]

technically its a sport, it just sucks really really bad, i woudl rather watch curling
hey its in the olympics

sport P Pronunciation Key (spôrt, sprt)
n.
Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
A particular form of this activity.
An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
An active pastime; recreation.
Mockery; jest: He made sport of his own looks.
An object of mockery, jest, or play: treated our interests as sport.
A joking mood or attitude: She made the remark in sport.
One known for the manner of one's acceptance of rules, especially of a game, or of a difficult situation: a poor sport.
Informal. One who accepts rules or difficult situations well.
Informal. A pleasant companion: was a real sport during the trip.
Informal.
A person who lives a jolly, extravagant life.
A gambler at sporting events.
Biology. An organism that shows a marked change from the normal type or parent stock, typically as a result of mutation.
Maine. See summercater. See Regional Note at summercater.
Obsolete. Amorous dalliance; lovemaking.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: slick230
To quote Hank Hill, "Just when I think you've said the most stupid thing I ever heard, you keep talking". I will not argu anymore with you, because it's obvious you have no idea what the hell you're talking about and have no intention on listening to anyone else who DOES know.

Find another sports station that talks about the stuff YOU like, because it's all about YOU, right?

Oh, and last time I checked, there were other sports that changed the rules almost EVERY season, like, oh let's see, the NFL and NHL. :roll:

Yeah, and they change the rules *BEFORE* the season starts, not *DURING* the season. Lets just see how this whole 'playoff' system works out this year...hopefully they won't have to change the rules in the middle of the playoffs but I'm not holding my breath...

What makes you think I'm not listening? It would be stupid of me to ask a question in the OP and not expect an answer, don't ya think? Let me clarify what I'm trying to get at:

1) I find it hard to qualify NASCAR as a professional sport, NOT because I doubt the skill/talent and physical ability required (I don't doubt it) but because of the poor organization/management and because I had no clue about how young drivers get into the sport. Also, a lot of people who actually watch the sport even accuse management of 'scripting' races (Dale Jr. winning right after his father died, Jeff Gordon winning at Talladega after he got screwed the week before.) I won't comment on that, but I'll say the people who make these accusations seem to know what they're talking about because they're fans.

2) I find it hard to qualify NASCAR as a legitimate race because, from what I've heard, they have a higher level of cheating and rule bending than other races (F1 is *VERY* strict, yet still allows teams to create competitive advantage through airflow/drag management and other variables.) Add this to what I said in the OP about ending a race on yellow and 500 laps of circles and you understand why its difficult to call it a 'race'.

SO...If its not exactly a 'sport' and its not exactly a 'race' then I can only qualify it as entertainment. Here's where I'm confused, because I just don't find it entertaining and I find it hard to understand how it is. Its a lot like pro wrestling I guess...I used to love wrestling even though I knew it was fake and more acting than wrestling. I understand the traditionalists and folks growing up with NASCAR (that's how I got into wrestling) but I don't know where all the new fans are coming from. What do they find entertaining about NASCAR? What do they like most about it?? Is it the actual 'race' or is it more the atmosphere?

So far the only NASCAR race I've been to was some stupid Busch series event I got into free with a friend's ticket. I didn't know a single driver/car pairing and didn't understand what was going on half the time because it was my first event and my friend did a poor job of explaining (he was drunk before we even entered the speedway.) I should be able to score a free ticket to the Coca-Cola 600 next month so maybe I'll check it out...who knows maybe I'll "get it" eventually.

Also, the thread title was a bit of parody (I don't understand how some people see funding NASA with their tax dollars as a waste of money yet Americans love spending money on NASCAR?) but I am serious about the topic.

 

[boyRacer]

I think you dont see the drama in F1 too...

A lot of naysayers say the Ferrari controls the FIA... last year was the Michelin scandal... with many people saying that FIA intervened to help Ferrari... yeah ok. I dont speak for everyone here but I like NASCAR because of my fascination with cars... and my love for racing. I watch any motorsport I can...be it on four wheels or two wheels... there are some that I prefer over others but I still appreciate any series for what they are.

 

[Iron Woode]

I find older Nascar races to be more interesting than the new ones. Particularily the 1968 - 1973 era.

(F1 is *VERY* strict, yet still allows teams to create competitive advantage through airflow/drag management and other variables.)

Nascar was actually very strict too at that time. There was room to play though, so each team could find advantages. As for airflow/drag management: check out 1969 and 1970. Mopar debuted the most aerodynamic Nascar racecars in history: Dodge Daytona and Plymouth SuperBird. They also hold the record for highest speed attained at Nascar. They were the reason the restrictor plates came into use in Nascar. HP was hitting over 600 from the BigBlocks being used. And safety at those speeds was becomming a huge issue. Insurance companies were dropping policies as speeds over 200 mph were becomming common. Huge crashes killing fans were happening.

If you think those cars were stock, then you're on crack. Granted, they were closer to stock than todays cars are. You could actually buy a SCJ429 Torino or a Dodge Daytona 426 Hemi. You can't buy a Pontiac Grand Prix with a smallblock V8.

Do I love Nascar? No. I am not a big fan of it. But it is still more fun to watch than F1 or any other European style racing event.

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: Bassyhead
you ever see any fat drivers? the drivers are under great physical strain in order to drive that much while experiencing the forces they feel. they work out to build muscle to help fight against g forces.

I just assumed it was because the doors don't open... ever try and push a fatty through a car window...??

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: blakeatwork

Originally posted by: Bassyhead
you ever see any fat drivers? the drivers are under great physical strain in order to drive that much while experiencing the forces they feel. they work out to build muscle to help fight against g forces.

I just assumed it was because the doors don't open... ever try and push a fatty through a car window...??

I think I'd pay to see that!

 

[Toasthead]

They need to change the rules to make them crash more...thats all anyone watches it for anyways.

 

[lightpants]

I would guess that most of the people that don't see what is interesting about nascar have never watched more then 1 full race, if that. I know because I was one of them.
I started watching a few races before Dale Sr. crashed and died. The dynamic of that and how everyone reacted to it drew me to the sport. I started watching every week. As you watch you realize the people you see on the TV are real, down to earth people (some who do not know how to handle the media). Other sports: baseball, basketball, and football, have these cry-baby multi-millionaire mega-stars that act like fools it makes it hard to root for them. Nascar has these ordinary guys that I find easier to relate to, racing at 200mph knowing at anytime they could crash and possibly die. I find that the people participating in Nascar make the major difference, and that is why I enjoy it.

Then I packed up the RV and took a few friends for the weekend in the infield at Pocono Raceway.
I was blown away by the friendliness of the people, the sound of the cars, and the excitement of a live race. I have to say that now I am a big fan. If you would have told me this 5 years ago I would have laughed at you.

Give it a chance, pick a driver, watch a few races,and don't be surprised when you are hooked.:beer:

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00


Hello, there are tons of small race tracks out there, just waiting for new racers. Kids as little as 5 years old can race..

and how many kids in your high school were racing competitively for their sport?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
HP was hitting over 600 from the BigBlocks being used.

wow, 600 hp :roll:


restrictor plates cause lots of crashes too, by bunching up the cars.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Kalvin00


Hello, there are tons of small race tracks out there, just waiting for new racers. Kids as little as 5 years old can race..

and how many kids in your high school were racing competitively for their sport?

well when iwas in high school i knew 6 guys ( other then me) that raced. At the JR high there was 3 and at the elementry there was 1.


now how many are on a basketball team? wrestling team? baseball etc? not many either.

with raceing if you can afford to race you can do it.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
HP was hitting over 600 from the BigBlocks being used.

wow, 600 hp :roll:


restrictor plates cause lots of crashes too, by bunching up the cars.

Yes 600+ hp at near 8000 RPM. They are not drag car V8s. The powerband is very different. Plus we are talking 7 litre Bigblock V8s. They have very heavy reciprocating assemblies and usually 13:1 or so compression. Reving that up 8000 RPM and sustaining that for 500 laps is a very impressive feat.

You think 600+ hp is nothing? Where is your 600+ hp car?

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: lightpants
I would guess that most of the people that don't see what is interesting about nascar have never watched more then 1 full race, if that. I know because I was one of them.
I started watching a few races before Dale Sr. crashed and died. The dynamic of that and how everyone reacted to it drew me to the sport. I started watching every week. As you watch you realize the people you see on the TV are real, down to earth people (some who do not know how to handle the media). Other sports: baseball, basketball, and football, have these cry-baby multi-millionaire mega-stars that act like fools it makes it hard to root for them. Nascar has these ordinary guys that I find easier to relate to, racing at 200mph knowing at anytime they could crash and possibly die. I find that the people participating in Nascar make the major difference, and that is why I enjoy it.

Then I packed up the RV and took a few friends for the weekend in the infield at Pocono Raceway.
I was blown away by the friendliness of the people, the sound of the cars, and the excitement of a live race. I have to say that now I am a big fan. If you would have told me this 5 years ago I would have laughed at you.

Give it a chance, pick a driver, watch a few races,and don't be surprised when you are hooked.:beer:

I had a very similar experience that drew me to the sport 7 years ago. I am a well educated professional and nothing about myself is "Hick".

 

Seal clubbing is a sport in Canada.

 

[Tom]

"You think 600+ hp is nothing? Where is your 600+ hp car? "


just to clarify for some, NASCAR motors put out closer to 900 hp at 9500 rpms at unrestricted tracks, and most likely 650-700 at restricted tracks.

if they ran unrestricted at talledega they would probably turn laps over 240 mph, as it is they approach 200 mph during the race.

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, NASCAR is actually a very physically demanding sport. Fighting an ill handling race car takes a lot of physicial effort, and the cockpits of those cars can get over 150 degrees in the summer. Try sitting in one of those for four hours!

I love the idea of making everyone run a 2.5l 4-cylinder engines, though. I would love to see what Jack Roush and DEI could do with a turbo charged 4 banger and a loose set of engine building rules to play with

 

[alexjohnson16]

Waggy-

What kind of sprint cars did you race, 360/410/wingless, etc. and where at???