[rockybrat]

NASCAR has done their job at making their stock cars mirror images of each other. With regulations so detailed that even a bolt a half an inch too high or low will result in stiff fines and penalties, one can truely say that the only difference in the cars are the decals. Now that job is done, NASCAR seems to want to make their drivers stock images of one another, with more and more fines and penalties being directed at aggressive driving, language, fighting, etc. it is beginning to get more and more difficult to see any personality in drivers. I understand NASCAR is trying to get away from the image of being a "beer guzzling red neck" sport but where does it stop? The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if next year Tony Stewart is penalized for "excessive celebration" when he climbs a fence after a win or Dale Jr. being penalized for "unsportsman like conduct" if he says something negative about another driver. If NASCAR continues to try to put a "restrictor plate" on their driver's personalities, the fan base is going to start to dwindle more and more. I think most people want to see a little attitude, competitive aggressiveness and personality. NASCAR is a professional sport not some "Romper Room playground" where all the little boys have to play nice with their big toys.
Just an opinion from a newbie, what's yours?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by rockybrat

NASCAR has done their job at making their stock cars mirror images of each other. With regulations so detailed that even a bolt a half an inch too high or low will result in stiff fines and penalties, one can truely say that the only difference in the cars are the decals. Now that job is done, NASCAR seems to want to make their drivers stock images of one another, with more and more fines and penalties being directed at aggressive driving, language, fighting, etc. it is beginning to get more and more difficult to see any personality in drivers. I understand NASCAR is trying to get away from the image of being a "beer guzzling red neck" sport but where does it stop? The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if next year Tony Stewart is penalized for "excessive celebration" when he climbs a fence after a win or Dale Jr. being penalized for "unsportsman like conduct" if he says something negative about another driver. If NASCAR continues to try to put a "restrictor plate" on their driver's personalities, the fan base is going to start to dwindle more and more. I think most people want to see a little attitude, competitive aggressiveness and personality. NASCAR is a professional sport not some "Romper Room playground" where all the little boys have to play nice with their big toys.
Just an opinion from a newbie, what's yours?

I don't know if I would have phrased it quite as you did. Plus, I don't think NASCAR's and the sponsors' it aligns itself with, trying to turn the drivers into "TV-Friendly" personalities who are put in front of a camera to shill for some product... I don't believe that it will be the 1000th cut that kills NASCAR.

All that being said, what you allude to above sure is turning off a lot of faithful fans.

I think that you're right, NASCAR has tryed to make carbon copies of the cars, the teams, and the drivers. They've allowed 4 teams to dominate the sport, allowed Cup drivers to drive in Busch and win Championships, again, the four team domination there as well. I can take it, I've been a fan for 30 years now, it will never be the days when drivers are allowed to have personallities like Pearson, the Allisons, Yarbough, etc, again.

But today, as much as I don't really like Robby Gordon, to see him spun out while leading with a track official has a yellow flag in his hand in the camera shot, then for NASCAR to review the same video and put him in the back, then blackflag him, that's it. An independent doesn't have a chance with NASCAR, they have gone too far and have lost my trust in their being fair. If Gordon could go to court, he'd win with the video evidence but I'm sure NASCAR would never let him race again. I'm sure I'm done with NASCAR.

[oncea3fan]

yes the true fans are losing interest, but NASCAR can't see the forest through all the dollar bills!

[saltysenior]

nascar is using the oldest method in the world to sell it's product to the public...that is the good guy vs. the bad guy...[ lions vs. christians,cowboys vs.indians,ect]..BUT the good guy always wins....in the last 20 yrs., nascar has had an expert to show the way..his name is vince mcman..

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by salysenior

nascar is using the oldest method in the world to sell it's product to the public...that is the good guy vs. the bad guy...[ lions vs. christians,cowboys vs.indians,ect]..BUT the good guy always wins....in the last 20 yrs., nascar has had an expert to show the way..his name is vince mcman..

It;s kept "Professional" wrestling afloat for over 75 years. It'd work well for NASCAR but...?

Riddle me this, Batman; just WHO are the "NASCAR villains?" I don't see it happening at the present. NASCAR is too in bed with the major sponsors and no major sponsor wants its product pitched by someone everyone hates. Extremely bad kharma there, believe me.

NASCAR has a few jerks out there driving but, with only one or two exceptions (can you say "Busch," boys and girls?) they are back markers whom very few "fans" even care about. For the life of me I can't see how NASCAT is using the one or two "bad boys" as a marketing tool. Maybe I'm just a tad blind here?

[3fanforever]

Sometimes I think todays NASCAR doesn't care about older fans like me.
Maybe they think we've bought all the merchandise we're gonna buy. I don't know.
But I can't quite justify quitting just because I don't like what NASCAR's doing.
I've put too much time and emotion into it over the last 30 years to just give up now.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

Sometimes I think todays NASCAR doesn't care about older fans like me.
Maybe they think we've bought all the merchandise we're gonna buy. I don't know.
But I can't quite justify quitting just because I don't like what NASCAR's doing.
I've put too much time and emotion into it over the last 30 years to just give up now.

You're right for feeling like that. The people in this new NASCAR don't give one half of a damn about it's heritage, tradition, or the fans that do. Brian France has made no secret of that. They care about the new hip fans that have more money to throw at their merchandise, regardless of whether they actually care about the racing.

[bob101]

Because older fans don't spend the money.

I've been a NASCAR fan all my life. I've been to several races even tho the nearest race to my house for years was 10+ hours away in Talledega. So I traveled there from time to time and now the closest is the Texas race so I go there even tho I really don't care for that track.

But I have to admit, I don't own one piece of NASCAR anything. No die cast cars, not even a T-shirt or a hat.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by rockybrat

NASCAR has done their job at making their stock cars mirror images of each other. With regulations so detailed that even a bolt a half an inch too high or low will result in stiff fines and penalties, one can truely say that the only difference in the cars are the decals. Now that job is done, NASCAR seems to want to make their drivers stock images of one another, with more and more fines and penalties being directed at aggressive driving, language, fighting, etc. it is beginning to get more and more difficult to see any personality in drivers. I understand NASCAR is trying to get away from the image of being a "beer guzzling red neck" sport but where does it stop? The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if next year Tony Stewart is penalized for "excessive celebration" when he climbs a fence after a win or Dale Jr. being penalized for "unsportsman like conduct" if he says something negative about another driver. If NASCAR continues to try to put a "restrictor plate" on their driver's personalities, the fan base is going to start to dwindle more and more. I think most people want to see a little attitude, competitive aggressiveness and personality. NASCAR is a professional sport not some "Romper Room playground" where all the little boys have to play nice with their big toys.
Just an opinion from a newbie, what's yours?

hey rockybrat, welcome to GoTeamsGo and the NASCAR Forums. Thanks for addressing this subject .. it looks like there are plenty of folks who agree with you (including me.) be sure to submit your picks for next week's race in the "predictions" thread.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by bob101

But I have to admit, I don't own one piece of NASCAR anything. No die cast cars, not even a T-shirt or a hat.

Thank you! I've always been afraid to admit that. I've always felt that you're not a REAL fan if you don't buy a bunch of their 'memorabilia'.

[saltysenior]

ok robin....they are not really ''villains'',but just drivers who do not get calls ,ala r.gordon, the coverage on tv,or the chance to drive a GOOD car..... look at the exposure montoya gets vs.lets say rudd....as humpy says "i'm here just to sell tickets"

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Thank you! I've always been afraid to admit that. I've always felt that you're not a REAL fan if you don't buy a bunch of their 'memorabilia'.

I, too, have nothing except a lot of old magazines, programs, news articles and archived data going back to the beginning. Toy cars, clothing, simulated car parts...? Naw. Think I'll find something useful and worthwhile to spend my hard-earned money on.

In fact, I'm actually more hard core than that. I won't wear an article of clothing which advertises a product or service. The way I see it, companies pay major buck to advertise their stuff on TV, radio, billboards, etc., etc. Why should I spend money for some over-priced piece of clothing and then walk around advertising their crap, for free? The idea of why people willingly do this has always mystified me.

[3fanforever]

My comment about merchandise was more about NASCAR's obsession with advertising and money,
rather than their appreciation of the fans that got them where they are.

I've never put much money into merchandise. I've got a jacket, a few t-shirts and a couple of old hats, none of which have any advertising on them. Just the #3. That's it. I always wore the same thing to every race I went to in Atlanta and Talladega. I started going to races again this year at Texas (because I miss being there live), and wore the same old stuff I wore back home. I walked around the vendor trailers and it doesn't look like I'll be buying anything in the future either, with the prices I saw.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by salysenior

nascar is using the oldest method in the world to sell it's product to the public...that is the good guy vs. the bad guy...[ lions vs. christians,cowboys vs.indians,ect]..BUT the good guy always wins....in the last 20 yrs., nascar has had an expert to show the way..his name is vince mcman..

hey salysenior, welcome to GoTeamsGo NASCAR Forum. Glad to see you're not afraid to voice your opinion. One thing we have lots of are opinions!
And speaking of opinions, be sure to post your pick for next week's race in the predictions thread. and if you have any questions, just ask.