[NASCAR Gnome]

I'm talking about the IRL 2008 opener an ESPN2 and the "side-by-side" thingy that happens when they go to commercial! You see the race on a small square while the larger square screen and audio goes to the commercial.

I mean, forget that 360-degree camera deal (and once the network boys and girls see that they're definitely going with it in NASCAR soon enough!) that side-by-side broadcast is the way to go! You can watch the race and ignore the commercials (I mean actually WATCH the commercials for any network-types actually reading this post!)

And by the way, those "hoi-palois" at F1 spending their BILLIONS on "whatever" can't hold a candle to the IRL in this country! These IRL guys (and gals) actually will race side-by-side at 215-220 MPH on ovals! America's version of open-wheel racing actually is very exciting in comparison to F1 where the start of the race is the most exciting part of the race (imo)

[DOF_power]

Well I agree for the commercial thing, and not just for NASCAR Cup races.

As to F1:

• it's also fun when it rains or there's excessive heat-sticky track scenario (Australia).
• the lack side by side action has little or nothing to do with the drivers, it's a problem of the stupid aero and tires (rules) done by idiots in charge pushing their own agendas

[Bob Tanner]

Good race last night. I felt a little bit sorry for the CART teams; they obviously didn't get a chance to show their potential but by Indy time I think we'll see some newer faces at the front.

I could take the time to take my usual shot at Duno but I won't. But, Ashley Judd was correct.

I'm looking forward to a good IRL season and am hoping the recent merger will bring new life to open wheeled racing here.

Now if they'd just move the engines back to the front where they belong! <g>

[DOF_power]

Oh Bob get over it.
I mean what's next, drum brakes, worm and rocket steering, bicycle tires, maybe they should add some actual horse to pull them ?!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Oh Bob get over it.
I mean what's next, drum brakes, worm and rocket steering, bicycle tires, maybe they should add some actual horse to pull them ?!

Now that you mention it, having a riding mechanic would be a nice touch. <g>

Seriously, there is a lot of talent coming from Champ Car, from what I can gather. How many of the Champ Car drivers have any experience on ovals? I wonder what their reaction will be the first time the CC drivers take their first lap at Richmond?

I am getting the feeling that NA__AR's popularity might, in a small way, help make IRL more popular. I'm sure that there will be a measurable number who watch NA__AR but find what interests them in open wheel, and will switch, or watch both types of racing. I see that as being a good thing.

[DOF_power]

The unification of 2 weak series doesn't make a strong series. That takes time and intelligent (from a business point of view) actions/measures/decisions. Tony's initial all-american all-oval all low tech/un-innovative IRL was a disaster that almost no-one bothered to watch and it was CART who had the advantage.


[a bit off topic]
As to racing mechanics, the reason the they were banned both in Europe and America was the high rate of fatalities. Twice the men in the cars often meant means twice the fatalities.
5-6 fatalities or more per race was expected back then, and it could get even worse.
And the mechanics didn't get the glory and/or money like drivers they just the injuries and fatal accident.
The worst decision in american racing history was the re-introduction of the riding mechanics during the Indianapolis Junk formula era (1930 to 1937).
This led to an unbelivable amount of fatalities in the National Championship (21 fatalities in just 18 months in the mid 1930s), and it also was a sign of the future as it cased a "split" between teams/drivers/dirt-track-onwers on one hand (who opossed the riding mechanics due to the high fatalities count) and IMS boss Rickenbauer (who was the mastermind behind the re-introduction of the riding mechanics).
[/a bit off topic]