[Quality88]

Originally Posted by victorie

I was glad to see any business other than beer or tobacco being the primary NASCAR sponsor (not that I love the telecom industry, but still...) when Nextel took over the Cup races a couple of years ago. NASCAR is trying to shed some of its "bad" images from the past and embrace more people as fans, but it's still the diehard car lovers IMO who will always be the strongest fan base of the sport. People like my brother, who is a lifelong gearhead, restores old cars, rides and works on Harleys, and with his best pal drives to a couple of races every year in their motorhome, towing a trailer with their bikes on it! He says the live races are something you have to "be there" to imagine -- the biggest "party" he's ever experienced, though some of them do get a little TOO "rowdy" over the long weekends!

Hmm, curious as to what you mean by "bad" images.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Hmm, curious as to what you mean by "bad" images.

The only bad images I recall are these. Some overweight guy with no shirt on, a beer in his hand, some car number poorly painted on his over hanging belly, screaming at another driver who is zooming past his row 48 seat at 185 MPH's. That and one driver fighting with another are my idea of "Bad Images." Sponsors of the series are more important to the governing body and the media, than they are to me .... personally !

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, Steve Park and the Bodine brothers quickly come to mind.

As do Rusty Wallace, Wally Dallenbach, Jeremy Mayfield, Jimmy Spencer, John Andretti, Rusty's brothers, Ted Musgrave, Ken Schrader and Dick Trickle.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The only bad images I recall are these. Some overweight guy with no shirt on, a beer in his hand, some car number poorly painted on his over hanging belly, screaming at another driver who is zooming past his row 48 seat at 185 MPH's. That and one driver fighting with another are my idea of "Bad Images." Sponsors of the series are more important to the governing body and the media, than they are to me .... personally !

Sounds like true original fans to me. Maybe if those people came back we could get rid of some of these pink panty wearin candya$$es. As for sponsors... well I think most everybody knows my feelings about that subject.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The only bad images I recall are these. Some overweight guy with no shirt on, a beer in his hand, some car number poorly painted on his over hanging belly, screaming at another driver who is zooming past his row 48 seat at 185 MPH's. That and one driver fighting with another are my idea of "Bad Images." Sponsors of the series are more important to the governing body and the media, than they are to me .... personally !

My most recent "bad image" is two weeks ago, with a handful of laps left and Jimmy Johnson trailing Kasey Kahne in a car that was obviously capable of at least catching Kasey. Then Jimmy and his CC, Brad ("Caught Again") Knause, discussing "Big Picture" and points racing, and deciding to NOT actually race Kasey but go for the safe finish.

My fondest dream now is for Jimmy to lose the championship by four points, the living with the what could have been IF he'd raced Kasey for that win, and the five extra points.

Points racing...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, for ME, THAT is a "bad image."

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Points racing...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, for ME, THAT is a "bad image."

Yeah, points racin definitely sucks. hmm, I got an Idea. How bout Na$car penalizes drivers points for not racin. You don't want to try and race you don't get the full amount of points.

[wingkey1]

LSC9901: "My most recent "bad image" is two weeks ago, with a handful of laps left and Jimmy Johnson trailing Kasey Kahne in a car that was obviously capable of at least catching Kasey. Then Jimmy and his CC, Brad ("Caught Again") Knause, discussing "Big Picture" and points racing, and deciding to NOT actually race Kasey but go for the safe finish"


(Tongue deeply in cheek) - Was Vickers behind him when this decision was made?

Heard car to car few weeks ago:

JJ: we're catching him
BV: Yeah man, I'll tuck in
JJ: We're there baby. Chad, we doing big picture or are we racers
CK: Ummmmm
BV: Don't be a friggin' wimp!
JJ: Ready BV?
BV: Ready JJ
JJ: Here we go!!
BV: YeeeeeHaaaaa!!!
CK: Ummmmmm
Rick Hendrick: Serenity now!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Sounds like true original fans to me. Maybe if those people came back we could get rid of some of these pink panty wearin candya$$es. As for sponsors... well I think most everybody knows my feelings about that subject.

Okay ... you caught me. I was the overweight drunk in the stands, but I went on a diet !!!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Okay ... you caught me. I was the overweight drunk in the stands, but I went on a diet !!!!

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZSYYYYYYYYGB

[Nevadastars]

Speaking of overweight fans, anyone remember the commercial shot of the guy with the hairy back, with the "3" shaved in it? I believe it was at Bristol in the pre-network days. Now THAT was a fan!

[snooker]

Originally Posted by victorie

Um, most fans dislike Jeff Gordon (not to be confused with Jeff Burton!) because Gordon is a pretty-boy who won way too often in his early years but still feels he has to complain about other drivers now that he's not doing so well anymore. I can't find a lot of fault with his basic skills, but his attitude and (like some others) his driving *practices* leave something to be desired, to put it mildly.

The fun thing about watching Gordon and JJ wrecking each other is that many of us feel it's some sort of poetic justice, maybe?

In the larger picture, I used to be one of those fans of other sports who asked my NASCAR-fan friends, "Why do you like to watch cars drive fast around and around in a circle?"

It didn't excite me the first few times I checked it out, and I didn't "get" the allure. But then a dear friend began talking about the races and was clearly happy to be getting more chances to see them "play," so I decided to give it another try in 1994. Amazing! I got hooked right away and began watching every week.

In 1995 I picked Terry LaBonte as my favorite driver -- and he won the Cup! The next year I picked Dale Jarrett -- and he won the Cup! That added fuel to the fire, and I was definitely hooked then.

I've enjoyed it ever since, and have often tried to explain to those who ask why I, a fifty-something lady with gray hair and granny glasses, love the sport. Well, I'm a gearhead at heart, love driving and appreciate fine cars of many different types, rode motorcycles for almost 30 years -- and have worked on my own vehicles quite a lot in the past. Hands are too painful for that now, but I still appreciate great driving!

The many tracks NASCAR races are held on offer a variety of different types from short track to road-racing style to the "big ovals." Some drivers excel on one type but not on others. Some are skilled on almost ANY track.

What fascinates me most, though, is thinking about just how talented these professional drivers really are, that they can drive almost 200 mph in VERY close quarters, bumper to bumper, and still avoid crashes as well as they do while demonstrating some amazing skills at the wheel.

I love NASCAR less and less the last couple of years, however, as the sport seeks to draw in a wider audience. I heard recently that the growth spurt of NASCAR has apparently ended, and in fact that viewing is falling off somewhat. I suspect many who tried it did NOT enjoy it that much and went back to the other sports they like better.

I happen NOT to like the prayers before the races -- or at least the televising of them, since not all NASCAR fans are Christians and it sort of puts off viewers like agnostics or those of other faiths. But I enjoy hearing the national anthem and seeing the color guards, the military flyovers and respect paid to those who serve, which I think most Americans can get behind as well.

NASCAR fans, like those of any other sport, can include some who get obnoxious and rude, even throwing things on the "field of play" when they are angry about something or at someone. But most of them are just regular folks who like cars and enjoy the adrenaline rush from the high speeds and daring driving. NASCAR pros have a lot of courage not required in many other sports, though some of them are too reckless or drive dangerously, even deliberately causing crashes -- but they usually pay for it eventually.

I was glad to see any business other than beer or tobacco being the primary NASCAR sponsor (not that I love the telecom industry, but still...) when Nextel took over the Cup races a couple of years ago. NASCAR is trying to shed some of its "bad" images from the past and embrace more people as fans, but it's still the diehard car lovers IMO who will always be the strongest fan base of the sport. People like my brother, who is a lifelong gearhead, restores old cars, rides and works on Harleys, and with his best pal drives to a couple of races every year in their motorhome, towing a trailer with their bikes on it! He says the live races are something you have to "be there" to imagine -- the biggest "party" he's ever experienced, though some of them do get a little TOO "rowdy" over the long weekends!

Does that help explain it some? I agree with those who indicate some folks just might not "get it," but I was one who once didn't, but now does. Watch a few races, get to know the drivers and their crews, listen to the usually good announcers who help explain aspects of the sport, and I'll bet you'll find it's more FUN than you would have guessed.

Hi Victorie ... Your statement has gave me a better understanding of Nascar and as to all what you were referring to made alot of sense , I can relate to most of your input , There is still some stuff I need to learn to understand , Only watching more Nascar I probably can get the whole deal there , I thank you for giving a very good explanation

[nascarfan24]

Originally Posted by drnascar48

The reason why I watch NASCAR is because my dad got me started on watching when I was five. Then my father died when I was 8 year old. After he died I just kept on watching NASCAR on television. The other reason why I watch NASCAR is because their a hole alot excicement and it fun to watch. The third reason why I watch NASCAR is because I understand the sport. It it the only sport I understand. My last reason why I watch the sport is because when my father was live he worked at Hendrick Motorsports. Those are my reason why I watch NASCAR.

what job did your dad have?