[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Well.... I wonder why these longtime fans are turning against the sport. Maybe because France is changing NASCAR, and the older fans who watched in the 70's and 80's simply don't like it? Quite frankly I don't see what the problem is with the Chase. It's a playoff system, all other sports have them. So, whats the big issue with it in NASCAR?

My point is: NASCAR is not for you fans who watched in the 70's and 80's, unless you can adapt to change. All sports go through a change that the older fans of the sport don't like. I'm sure when I reach over 25 years as a NASCAR fan, I won't like it because I was used to what it was in the mid 90's to right now. It's all about adapting to change, and Brian France has put that to the test for sure.

Back in the old days you had no corporate sponsors, you could run around and chase people, etc etc. That's what the 25-30 year fans grew up to. But the sport has changed not only into a sport, but into a business, and it is eating up at those 25-30 year fans.

A while back Bob (I believe) made a statement that I find to be quite true. As long time fans we complain about every little thing that has changed within NASCAR. From an outsiders view some must wonder why, if we hate it so much, do we continue to watch, listen and be involved in it. The reason is quite simple ... we have opinions and we can make detailed observations about those opinions because we have watched, listened and been involved in racing for 30 plus years .... if not longer.

We do not hate NASCAR. We (or at least I) dislike the idea that it has gone from a sport to a business. I am not anti business either. I understand the economics of running a prosperous business. In respect to running a business I would agree that they are successful. As for NASCAR being the sport it was 50 years ago .... NOPE.

So basically we complain because we merely want and need to express an opinion based on years of experience. Don't hate us because we are old time fans and above all don't throw us in the fire.

[Racer Duck]

vince, you da man! you post articles faster than I can read them .. I never knew there were so many sources.... but you better watch out, flip seems to have a whole 'nother bunch you don't have...

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Mike24

While I do agree, how boring would it be to see 12 cars in one race?

Raise the car count to 20, put 'em at Richmond or Bristol under the lights for 100 laps, and it would be great!

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

vince, you da man! you post articles faster than I can read them .. I never knew there were so many sources.... but you better watch out, flip seems to have a whole 'nother bunch you don't have...

haha thanks racer, i know im gonna have to find out flips sources..

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Put 'em at Richmond or Bristol under the lights for 100 laps, and it would be great!

For a short track race, hell yeah!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Raise the car count to 20, put 'em at Richmond or Bristol under the lights for 100 laps, and it would be great!

Probably no one has given this any consideration but let them all race for the championship but only for 36 races. Now there's a challenge.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Probably no one has given this any consideration but let them all race for the championship but only for 36 races. Now there's a challenge.

Damn skippy!

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Probably no one has given this any consideration but let them all race for the championship but only for 36 races. Now there's a challenge.

.............Naw, that would never work.

[PenelopePitStop]

Why do I get myself into these discussions? Why? Why? Why?

All posts above have extremely good points. I only found one comment semi-offensive (which I will not disclose), but I'm a big girl. Plus, I'm in Good Ol' Boy Land, so I have to let some things slide. Besides, I like Good Ol' Boys ... cowboys too!

So let's see ... I've been following NASCAR since the mid-80s, so I guess NASCAR is no longer for me due to change. Well, I have to disagree with that. I'm all for change for the BETTER. Change for the simple goal of change, for whatever business reasons may be behind it, is not necessarily a good thing. Trust me, I've been in the high-tech corporate world for 20 years. People who come into a position of power oftentimes make change just to prove something or to shake things up. Justify their existence either to others or to themselves. This has proven true in NASCAR. France saw to that.

Enforcing a Pit Lane speed limit was a good thing. Lucky Dog ... don't mind it, but I know others hate it. This so-called marketing ploy of the Race to the Chase and the Playoffs ... hate it. Has the reverse effect for me. I actually watch Cup less and less toward the end of the season once the final 10 (well, 12 now) are locked in and none of my favorites have a chance to finish in the top 3. The biggest change I don't like is this top-35 thing. I hate it!

With all of this, I haven't turned against NASCAR. Am I disillusioned? Yes. But I'm still a fan. I just try to stay focused on the core of NASCAR and that's the drivers on race day. All of them. Once the green flag drops, I forget all the politics ... or at least try to.