[saltysenior]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

But, to me, who wins isn't as important and the race itself.

Last summer I found myself in Denver over a weekend. I went to the National Speedway, just north of Denver. I didn't know a single driver; never had heard of anyone. However, the night's races were fantastic. Lower class and LM heat races were close with lots of action. LM main event was kind of lame, due to an early, multi-car wreck but the beginner series was something to behold.

Bottom line is I didn't care who won and who lost. I was there for the racing, not an autograph session!

Folks can sing the praises of the personality side of racing all they want but it IS show vs driver and Bob will take show every time.

i've had the same feeling,1st time at a track......but even as soon as the 2nd heat race, you tend to watch a certain driver.....2-3 vists the same season and you are following somebody, either rootin' or cussin'....

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

This "race/show" fan vs. "driver/win" fan debate got me to thinking about something, and it's been on my mind for some time. So if you're a "race/show" fan for racing, do you feel the same way about every sport? It doesn't matter who wins as long as the game is good?

The only other sport I watch on a regular basis is golf. Tiger isn't in the British Open this week. Guess what? They're still having on Hell of a tournment. As long as I see golfers compete to the best of their abilities I could care less who wins. I will admit that in golf, as well as stock car racing, when it gets down to the end game, I usually will prefer one over another. But it depends on who the people going for the win are, not because they're "My favourites."

All I want to see is good, honest, non-manipulated-for-an-artificial-close-finish competition.

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

So if you're a "race/show" fan for racing, do you feel the same way about every sport? It doesn't matter who wins as long as the game is good?

Good question and Fundamental to how people perceive Sports as a whole.
Personally, being a "Sports Fan" not a "Joe-blow fan", I enjoy the Sport for what it is, where as some are more team/player "Boosters" and can’t enjoy the Sport for the "thrill of the game".
My friends and I always get a good laugh once the Vancouver Canucks get booted out of the playoffs and all the fake Hockey fans stop watching the best Teams and Hockey games of the season, that being the Stanley Cup play-offs of course.
The same goes for Football, last year’s Super Ball was probably one of the best ever, and I didn’t care who won, but I was happy for the G-men, maybe because they were the underdogs, and the Pats won it a bunch of times already.

P.S what's the deal with Greg Norman, is he the Harry Gant of Golf?

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Good question and Fundamental to how people perceive Sports as a whole.
Personally, being a "Sports Fan" not a "Joe-blow fan", I enjoy the Sport for what it is, where as some are more team/player "Boosters" and can’t enjoy the Sport for the "thrill of the game".
My friends and I always get a good laugh once the Vancouver Canucks get booted out of the playoffs and all the fake Hockey fans stop watching the best Teams and Hockey games of the season, that being the Stanley Cup play-offs of course.
The same goes for Football, last year’s Super Ball was probably one of the best ever, and I didn’t care who won, but I was happy for the G-men, maybe because they were the underdogs, and the Pats won it a bunch of times already.

P.S what's the deal with Greg Norman, is he the Harry Gant of Golf?

Norman only plays now days to advertise his wine. Otherwise he'd be sitting back watching and sipping some of his own brew. He still looks pretty dapper in his straw hat.

I have to admit, for years I was one of those people who didn't follow any teams until the playoffs started. Then I'd try to catch up. Think I missed out on a lot of good plays, awesome moves and terrific games. But I was too busy to notice.

I'm still guilty of being "behind" but at least now it's procrastination, not inattention.

[SteelPhoenyx]

Some of both for me. When I first started watching I didn't know the names of more than a few drivers, didn't really have anybody to cheer for. Still enjoyed watching. Then I became a fan of a couple drivers and it added more excitement to it.

Though these days the 'win' is boring as hell when the winning car crosses the finish line 5 minutes before the rest of the field. That seems to be a common occurence with the Winged Brick. Seems the only reason I watch the Cup races these days is BECAUSE I have a couple drivers that I cheer for.

Now the CTS on the other hand... that has easily been the most exciting series this year. When you get wins like Eric Darnell's over Johnny Benson a few weeks ago (by a margin of 1 3/8 inches!!!) That's a win worth getting excited about. I have drivers in the CTS I cheer for but I don't really have one favorite. Still, I was livid pissed when Crissy Wallace was taken out by Sprauge today. Insult to injury when the rest of the Germain drivers were taken out. Still, I was happy to see Johnny Benson win... he earned it.

Another thing I like about the Truck series? The points 'lead' between 1st and 5th is such a small amount that it could likely be anybody's Championship righ up to the end of the Homestead race.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Norman only plays now days to advertise his wine. Otherwise he'd be sitting back watching and sipping some of his own brew. He still looks pretty dapper in his straw hat.

:

I missed the first day but day 2 and yesterday he was wearing a ball cap, very "unshark-like." Still, playing in a 35 kt wind gusting to 45 kt? Playing a course where the rough looks like an un-mowed cow pasture and the traps are just vertical holes in the ground? Damn fine performance.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

Another thing I like about the Truck series? The points 'lead' between 1st and 5th is such a small amount that it could likely be anybody's Championship righ up to the end of the Homestead race.

What you and I are seeing in CTS must obviously be some sort of mass hypnotic illusion? Why, they've proved up in the Cup Series, where as everyone knows the real racing is done, that you can't have a close season finish without a ten race playoff where the points are artificially reset.

A season championship being decided on straight points won each race? Now, I ask you, how "fair" and how exciting could THAT be?

Yes, you might have denoted a tiny bit of sarcasm in the above.

Went to my local track last night but on the DVR it looked as though Johnny B. was on a mission last night. I'm puzzled as to why Crissy was angry at another driver. It looked as thoug she just lost side draft. Good race, but then most races at Kentucky are.

[GrimlockAutobot]

I'm definitely in it for the show. I'd rather see my driver battle from the back of the pack to a good finish tahn worry about a win.

A prime example of that is (Someone correct me if I'm wrong) But, I think it was back in '06 (I can't remember the track either.) Junior tore the right front fender off of his car and still battled from the back of the pack to a top-5 finish.

[GrimlockAutobot]

I tried to post a pic of Junior's car from that race^^^^ but, it's not posting correctly for some reason. It pops up in the window for my post but, then it disappears when I submit the post......Oh WELL!! The race was Martinsville in 2006. Junior had a good portion of the front of his racecar torn off and still finished 4th. (Just ahead of a driver who shall remain nameless.) That's why I'm in it for the show.

[LSC9901]

This one ?

[GrimlockAutobot]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

This one ?

Yep...that's the car he took to a 4th place finish @ Martinsville in '06. That's the prime example of why I like watching for the show......not just the win.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by GrimlockAutobot

I'm definitely in it for the show. I'd rather see my driver battle from the back of the pack to a good finish tahn worry about a win.

A prime example of that is (Someone correct me if I'm wrong) But, I think it was back in '06 (I can't remember the track either.) Junior tore the right front fender off of his car and still battled from the back of the pack to a top-5 finish.

Maybe I'm just confused? You seem, to me anyway, to be sending a mixed message. First you say that you watch for "The show," i.e., the racing itself. Then you go on about watching "Your driver" battle from the back. What about if Junior has a terminal mechanical failure on the first lap and is out for the rest of the race. What is your enjoyment level then?

Inquiring minds wish to know.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

It's all about the SHOW, Nascar needs to put on a good one, as there is no shortage of Sports competing for our entertainment dollar.
For me there are 3 racing series, and unfortunately with only the occasional race worth talking about.

Just 3? There are plenty more series than that, and most every race is worth talking about. Just look in the right place, and you'll find 'em.

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Just 3? There are plenty more series than that, and most every race is worth talking about. Just look in the right place, and you'll find 'em.

I used to watch more, but I decided that the Kids were getting too much TV, and discontinued the "extra" cable channels, resulting in SPEED going dark.

[bamaga]

I am a driver fan that loves a good race!