[BringBackWilkesboro]

From NASCAR.com:
NASCAR.COM - It's Bruton Smith's world, and we're just living in it - Jan 25, 2007

The title says it all. Some of the the older readers in here may find this material disturbing.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

From NASCAR.com:
NASCAR.COM - It's Bruton Smith's world, and we're just living in it - Jan 25, 2007

The title says it all. Some of the the older readers in here may find this material disturbing.

You know, Wilks, one of these days I'm going to come out of my shy, introverted shell and try and state an opinion... Please allow me to try on the Bruton article.

I agree with his point of adding much more money to the top end of the finishing order and dropping the lower finishers. To pay a guy $80K just because he makes the Daytona 500 lineup borders on stupid, IMNOVHO. In my eye racing is a free-market society and pay should be based solely on performance and not attendance. Bruton gets no argument from me here.

I also agree with him on moving the banquet to Vegas. I know NYC is a vast, untapped market but it is, and will always remain, almost totally sick&ball. The ONLY thing that would make New Yorkers switch allegiance to NASCAR would be if, on horrendous night, all the team members of the Yankees, Mets, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, and Giants all were caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy. (Unfortunately that would probably enhance their popularity in some sections of the lower east side and the Village)

Don't get me wrong, I have always enjoyed myself whenever I've gone to The Big Apple. It's a great city and is the Mecca of many things. However I believe that , as far as NASCAR is concerned, having its post-season banquet there is akin to showing up at a Hells Angels part riding a Honda.

To me, Vegas is a very logical choice for a banquet.

IRT his statement about taxpayers funding tracks because municipalities fund sports stadiums. No, no, a thousand times NO! But, I'll go one better... I think it is unconstitutional and unethical for taxpayers to fund ANY privately owned sports complex. MY concept is that if ANY private concern wants to get into the major league sports business, he/she/they had better have DEEP pockets. If they don't then maybe they might look lowering their sights a bit.

I read it a few days ago, Wilks, but it was a good article on Bruton and explains him quite well. What the article fails to mention is that if he hadn't partnered with Curtis Turner back when he was just a part-time promoter, he'd probably still be selling logs to International Paper and Kimberly-Clark and promoting locals races on weekends.

[LSC9901]

Some day Bob, someday you just may break that awful vow of silence and speak of the truth.

I never quite understood the reasoning behind the awards banquet in NYC. I live in the northeast and in December this can be a nasty place to be. More than that there is little love for racing in NYC. You are correct that the Big Apple is a stick & ball place, always has been and always will be. So why celebrate the Chapionship in a place that doesn't even recognize the sport unless it is all about the corporate sponsorship. I could see the awards done in Charlotte far easier than in NYC. At least in NC it would be closer to its home base.

I also am very much in favor of if you want it, you pay for it. I hate taxpayer support for what is primarilly private ventures. In respect to 43rd place getting a paycheck of $80K ... I really don't care. I guess there should be some payment for at least qualifying for the race. Realistically $80K probably doesn't cover the expenses incurred for a single race when figured out over a 36 race season. On the other side of the fence if more money/points were awarded for better finishes we might see more actual racing to win. In respect to racing overseas ..... someone would have to tell me how that will make my sport better for me, instead of more profitable for Bruton and all the other NA$CAR folks. We have tracks right here in the good ole US of A that want races. Right BBW ??

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

We have tracks right here in the good ole US of A that want races. Right BBW ??

Kentucky





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

[LSC9901]

I knew I could get a comment out of ya !!!!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I knew I could get a comment out of ya !!!!!

Yeah, you got me.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

We have tracks right here in the good ole US of A that want races. Right BBW ??

I think Q made that very clear.