[vincesanity82]

Never has this happened in NASCAR history. North Carolina, which gave the sport Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, could go winless this season. That's 0-for-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 0-for-Dale Jarrett. 0-for-Kyle Petty. 0-for-Brian Vickers. 0-for-Scott Riggs. Such woes are not new for the South. Although Virginia has two wins this year, it has been shut out twice since 2003. Georgia's last win came in 2003; Tennessee's in 2002. -- The Virginian-Pilot

ARTICLE: Dixie drawls rarely heard in Victory Lane these days (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)

[wingkey1]

Wait a couple years when 'ole Dustin boy has to report - USA goes o'fer in Wireless Bowl*. In both drivers and manufacturers. Get the crash cart!

* cause a "cup" will be to small, and the wireless sponser by then could be anyone. Probably Nippon Electronics or LG

[Souporscotty]

Wait til NA$CAR is all foriegn born drivers. I can remember when Americans dominated the Indy 500. Foyt, Unser, Mears etc. Ten years from now Brian France will be aking Tony George; "Where did I go wrong?"

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Wait til NA$CAR is all foriegn born drivers. I can remember when Americans dominated the Indy 500. Foyt, Unser, Mears etc. Ten years from now Brian France will be aking Tony George; "Where did I go wrong?"

You really want him to wait another 10 years ??? He should have been asking that question about three years ago ... at the very least.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Wait til NA$CAR is all foriegn born drivers. I can remember when Americans dominated the Indy 500. Foyt, Unser, Mears etc. Ten years from now Brian France will be aking Tony George; "Where did I go wrong?"

Here's 'nother perspective Soup. Not at all an argument or counter to your post 'n view -- AT ALL. Just a view/perspective.

There's a brain cell within the 'ol Wing here that says/feels - the country of ethnicity or origin of the drivers did not do dirt to "Indy" style racing so much as the change to the style of racing did.

Bear with me cause I'm an old person with cornerstone in the era of "Indy" style racing of the 50's, 60's, 70's, maybe 80's, when ovals were the sole (soul would be appropriate too) of the series.

Many from afar played/competed in "oval Indy". Varying levels of success. Key was they came to play in "Oval Indy". Indy, Trenton, Langhorne, etc. The competitors adapted to the style. Manure hit the ventilator when the style decided to adapt to the interested competitors. The change? - street/road course events. It ain't real hard to map the demise over time of "Indy style" as the events moved from predominantly oval, to predominantly twisty turny.

Gimme the very best the world has to offer in the drivers (Want so bad to see Schumacher in NASCAR), but do not change the basis/roots/style to accomodate the available/interested competitors.

Oh well --- back to sleep.

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Here's 'nother perspective Soup. Not at all an argument or counter to your post 'n view -- AT ALL. Just a view/perspective.

There's a brain cell within the 'ol Wing here that says/feels - the country of ethnicity or origin of the drivers did not do dirt to "Indy" style racing so much as the change to the style of racing did.

Bear with me cause I'm an old person with cornerstone in the era of "Indy" style racing of the 50's, 60's, 70's, maybe 80's, when ovals were the sole (soul would be appropriate too) of the series.

Many from afar played/competed in "oval Indy". Varying levels of success. Key was they came to play in "Oval Indy". Indy, Trenton, Langhorne, etc. The competitors adapted to the style. Manure hit the ventilator when the style decided to adapt to the interested competitors. The change? - street/road course events. It ain't real hard to map the demise over time of "Indy style" as the events moved from predominantly oval, to predominantly twisty turny.

Gimme the very best the world has to offer in the drivers (Want so bad to see Schumacher in NASCAR), but do not change the basis/roots/style to accomodate the available/interested competitors.

Oh well --- back to sleep.

I agree with you 100% But what about the so-called "Driver Fans" The people dedicated to Gordon, Earnhardt, Johnson etc. Will they be able to root for a driver who's last name ends with a vowel? (Labontes' notwithstanding). These are the folks that make NA$CAR the billion(s) dollar buisiness that it is. The ones that buy the shirts, hats, die-casts etc. Will the root for an Italian/Frenchman/Brazilian ?

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I agree with you 100% But what about the so-called "Driver Fans" The people dedicated to Gordon, Earnhardt, Johnson etc. Will they be able to root for a driver who's last name ends with a vowel? (Labontes' notwithstanding). These are the folks that make NA$CAR the billion(s) dollar buisiness that it is. The ones that buy the shirts, hats, die-casts etc. Will the root for an Italian/Frenchman/Brazilian ?

Those truly dedicated to the names mentioned, if truely dedicated, they'll stay to the end, as for the others, yeah, they will (root for the vowels). Whether you, I, or anyone else feels it unusual.

There are mega-billions beyond the presently tapped. So much so that it buries the present supporter base. Now the REAL question is can the others be reached and their pockets emptied. The attempt will be made, fact is, it is currently and obviously in progress. Succeed? Who flippin' knows, but you, I , and others will go for the ride. Hope it land where we'd like it. Just don't know.

They key will be to enjoy the race and racers.

American roots will continue to be in the local tracks, racers, events. Those who support this through attendance, participation, etc. will decide the fate of "American" racing. Those who remain within 50' of their refridge on Sundays - are voting for the vowel racers.

I'll be at one of my local tracks tonite. Will tape and watch (skipping commercials) the Cup thing at my leisure.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Those truly dedicated to the names mentioned, if truely dedicated, they'll stay to the end, as for the others, yeah, they will (root for the vowels). Whether you, I, or anyone else feels it unusual.

There are mega-billions beyond the presently tapped. So much so that it buries the present supporter base. Now the REAL question is can the others be reached and their pockets emptied. The attempt will be made, fact is, it is currently and obviously in progress. Succeed? Who flippin' knows, but you, I , and others will go for the ride. Hope it land where we'd like it. Just don't know.

They key will be to enjoy the race and racers.

American roots will continue to be in the local tracks, racers, events. Those who support this through attendance, participation, etc. will decide the fate of "American" racing. Those who remain within 50' of their refridge on Sundays - are voting for the vowel racers.

I'll be at one of my local tracks tonite. Will tape and watch (skipping commercials) the Cup thing at my leisure.

I don't really have a problem with any of the Vowel Ender's ( a term for the dicitonary, I think) as long as they adapt well to NASCAR and have real talent. I will enjoy watching Franchitti and JV and I think if they stick it out they have the potential to do well. I like Carpentier as well, and am curious to see how a road coarse driver such as he fares in the long run on oval tracks. Now if Dan Wheldon came to NASCAR - ugh. Not because he's a horrible driver, but I cannot stand his attitude. He can stay where he is for all I care.

But the local tracks are where it's at! Living in upstate NY, we only have April through October to get our fix, and that's not nearly long enough. I have major withdrawal symptoms all winter. For all you really new race fans, I would highly recommend you seek out a local track and check out a few races. Dirt or asphalt, it doesn't matter. There is nothing to compare to it and you'll be hooked. Take your kid's, they're the future fans that will keep this sport alive!

[Quality88]

Speakin as a fan of racin, and a driver fan. There are reasons that I root for that driver. Not to many drivers are in the same category as the driver I root for. Mind you I didn't say no drivers, just not to many. Once my driver retires next year, I will continue to watch racin. I won't root for any particular driver.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Wait til NA$CAR is all foriegn born drivers. I can remember when Americans dominated the Indy 500. Foyt, Unser, Mears etc. Ten years from now Brian France will be aking Tony George; "Where did I go wrong?"

Diversity...the religion of losers.

Why would Brian ask T.G.? Tony had a chance to recreate American open wheeled racing but blew the chance. IRL is practically (driver and venue-wise) where CART was when the split came.