[Bob Tanner]

Gee. Maybe I, and a few others, aren't the only ones who believe this new, softer, kinder version of NASCAR leaves a lot to be desired? The following is the lead-in paragraph for an article which mirrors much of what I've discussed here:

There has been a lot of talk this season about NASCAR’s declining ratings, and if fewer TV viewers are a valid indicator, the sport’s declining popularity. Fans say they just don’t care as much as they used to, that the races aren’t as exciting, and that the television coverage is sub par. NASCAR blames anyone they can-except themselves. The sad part is, NASCAR either had the opportunity to fix many of the things that fans have cited as reasons for leaving and refused, or whistled innocently and pointed the finger anywhere but at themselves. Thinking about what the real problems in the sport today are, and how easily they can/could have been fixed, makes me really wonder what is going on in the heads of the powers that be.

For the list of ten things about NASCAR which might bear changing are in the following link:

The Frontstretch: Ten Things I Hate About You, NASCAR

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

The Frontstretch: Ten Things I Hate About You, NASCAR

For what it's worth, I, personally, believe that assigning the word "hate" to a sporting series is a bit much. However, I didn't write the article so what do I know?

[Quality88]

I particularily like #'s 2, 7,8,9 & 10. I love how they stabbed at damn california havin to dates and don't sell out.

[PenelopePitStop]

That was fantastic! I couldn't have said it any better myself!

[harvick29]

who cares at all about ratings. i love racing.the people who bail on nascar no matter how many years they claim to be a fan.are not real race fans.who cares, done with threads on ratings.

[SteelPhoenyx]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I particularily like #'s 2, 7,8,9 & 10. I love how they stabbed at damn california havin to dates and don't sell out.

I'd be perfectly happy with the race starting at 10am Pacific. If it finished an hour earlier, there's still plenty of daylight to go do other things.

And it wasn't in the cards this year, but I plan on hitting Infineon AND Fontana next year.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by harvick29

who cares at all about ratings. i love racing.the people who bail on nascar no matter how many years they claim to be a fan.are not real race fans.who cares, done with threads on ratings.

Keep in mind that we are all allowed opinions here and it really is OK to respect them. If someone has had enough then that is their choice. Sometimes we just outgrow things that are of interest to us today.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by harvick29

who cares at all about ratings. i love racing.the people who bail on nascar no matter how many years they claim to be a fan.are not real race fans.who cares, done with threads on ratings.

Gee. I'm "not a real race fan?" That comes as quite a surprise. Maybe I'm a "NASCAR fan," and not a "NA$CAR fan?" Maybe the reason I went to the local race track last night, rather than watch the NA$CAR prima donnas was that I'm actually a big figure skating fan and I just have my sports mixed up?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Gee. I'm "not a real race fan?" That comes as quite a surprise. Maybe I'm a "NASCAR fan," and not a "NA$CAR fan?" Maybe the reason I went to the local race track last night, rather than watch the NA$CAR prima donnas was that I'm actually a big figure skating fan and I just have my sports mixed up?

God Bless You Bob

[jks812]

I finally read that and it was pretty good. I agreed with almost all of it.

[DOF_power]

Well i suppose its all good but:

- bring back the stock cars
- less races
- shorter races (with some/proper exceptions)
- more road courses and dirt tracks


- if you're going abroad for a demonstrative/whatever, think Nürburgring Nordschleife (aim for the tallest tree Tony )

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Well i suppose its all good but:

(a)- bring back the stock cars
(b)- less races
(c)- shorter races (with some/proper exceptions)
(d)- more road courses and dirt tracks


- if you're going abroad for a demonstrative/whatever, think Nürburgring Nordschleife (aim for the tallest tree Tony )

another "Renaissances Man," I see. Yeah, running an American stock car on the old NÜrburgring would separate the men from the boys.

I agree completely with (a), (b) and (c). The races are too long, in most cases and too frequent. I'd say two races in February and November, and three races each month the rest of the season would be just about right.
(d) I agree with, with qualifications. I think I'd enjoy a couple more road courses IF THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR stock cars. As it set now, most road courses, with stock car involved, are merely follow the leader with possible passes in selected spots on the track. Yeah, I know. Montreal and this last Glen race were exciting but those are, history will prove, anomalies.
Dirt...I'd love to see Cup on dirt again but let's face it. IT ain't about racing anymore, it's about business and Perception. There is no dirt track, to my knowledge, set up to accommodate the "VIP Box" people NA$CAR wants to draw. Plus, a dirt track would bring back "The Old Days" (a.k.a. "real racing,") and that thought sends Brian France screaming from the room. Gawd! If NA$CAR would do something like that, the next thing we'd want would be the Labour Day race back in Darlington. Instead we now have an open weekend (I refuse to even acknowledge that they're racing next week at that piece-of-trash, California.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

(I refuse to even acknowledge that they're racing next week at that piece-of-trash, California.

Okay ...... I'll just pretend you didn't write it then.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Okay ...... I'll just pretend you didn't write it then.

Re-phrase alert:

I would better served to say I admit that they will have a race next weekend, at some site other than the rightful one at Darlington; I will admit that only to my friends and then only with extreme caution.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Re-phrase alert:

I would better served to say I admit that they will have a race next weekend, at some site other than the rightful one at Darlington; I will admit that only to my friends and then only with extreme caution.

You know I'm just yanking at your leg Bob. Bring back the Southern 500