[Havax]

Just read an article on NASCAR.com and it was very interesting to read. Through out the whole night we had heard how much people liked the vote until someone won the whole thing by getting voted in. Does everybody agree that the fan vote is there so the fans can have their voice heard or should we not even bother doing the fan vote and just allowing 2 cars from the open into the allstar race?

[Bob Tanner]

As the Spanish would say, "Badisimo!"

Reason: Far too many people who vote have being popular terminally confused with being a star. Example: Within the past five years I've seen Kenny Wallace, Mikey, Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader voted in solely for popularity and sentimental reason. None realistically had a snowball's chance in Hell of being competitive. This year it worked but it didn't come close in the previous...? 10? (I forget when they initiated this farce) voter's choices.

But, since it's a "feel good" thing, and the folks who run the All Star can hype it to the max, we're stuck with it.

[jks812]

I don't think they should have a fan vote. But I also don't think they should have a showdown race either. I also say no past champion and no past winner. Just let the race winners from the previous year and the pole winners from the previous year be all thats in it.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Havax

Just read an article on NASCAR.com and it was very interesting to read. Through out the whole night we had heard how much people liked the vote until someone won the whole thing by getting voted in. Does everybody agree that the fan vote is there so the fans can have their voice heard or should we not even bother doing the fan vote and just allowing 2 cars from the open into the allstar race?

I agree with the format. From Joe Menzer's article, he seems to be upset. The rules were posted and the situation dictated the results.

Kasey may not have been the fan vote winner, but you had to be on the lead lap in the Showdown to be considered. Elliott Sadler was out earlier and may have had more fan votes, but not on the lead lap.

If Menzer thinks it is unfair to have fans voice their opinion about who they would like to see in the All-Star race, he had better think twice. That's called "customer satisfaction" at its best. This is not a points race.... its an All-Star event.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by jks812

I don't think they should have a fan vote. But I also don't think they should have a showdown race either. I also say no past champion and no past winner. Just let the race winners from the previous year and the pole winners from the previous year be all thats in it.

The Budweiser Shootout at the beginning of the year almost fits this format. These are pole winners of the previous year. Maybe your recommended format would be good for the pre-event at Homestead, the last race of the season. Presently, it does not seem like a big deal down there now because usually the points champ is already decided. This would add some excitement.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Kasey may not have been the fan vote winner, but you had to be on the lead lap in the Showdown to be considered. Elliott Sadler was out earlier and may have had more fan votes, but not on the lead lap.

They don't even have to be on the lead lap. They have to have a raceable car, which Sadler didn't.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by jks812

They don't even have to be on the lead lap. They have to have a raceable car, which Sadler didn't.

Wrong - Here are the rules posted on Jayski.com and NASCAR.com for the Sprint Fan Vote:

To be eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote, drivers must have been in the top 50 in Sprint Cup Series driver point standings in 2007 or have attempted to qualify for a 2008 Sprint Cup Series race prior to March 10. The driver with the most votes who finishes the Sprint Showdown on the lead lap will transfer to the prestigious field.

[jks812]

Ok, my bad. Was going by what they said during the showdown, that the driver didn't have to finish on the lead lap just had to have a raceable car.

[Ellison]

Originally Posted by jks812

Ok, my bad. Was going by what they said during the showdown, that the driver didn't have to finish on the lead lap just had to have a raceable car.

yeah, they said it didn't have to be the lead lap anymore ... just have a raceable car. it was definitely posted as a stipulation to be on the lead lap before the showdown started, however, during the race they kept pointing out that wasn't the case anymore and the car just had to be raceable .... guess Humpy changed it.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Ellison

yeah, they said it didn't have to be the lead lap anymore ... just have a raceable car. it was definitely posted as a stipulation to be on the lead lap before the showdown started, however, during the race they kept pointing out that wasn't the case anymore and the car just had to be raceable .... guess Humpy changed it.

Sorry, my mistake. I was listening to Race Control at the track and they wanted the fan vote winner to be on the lead lap and in a raceable car. I assumed they expected or anticipated a last lap crash in the Showdown.

[j-man24fan]

No fan vote please! if they couldn't get in, winning, OR the showdown, they don't need to be in the race, cause they didn't deserve to get in. all because of some stupid fan base that got them in. i got watered down bad because i was amazed that someone who was voted in got the win,