[Measure]

Wikipedia's NASCAR rules page says that NASCAR ran 5 impound races each of the last two years. It implies that there will be 5 again this year.

While 3 years ago, it says, there were 21.

Which races will be the impound races this year?

Wikipedia doesn't seem to know.

[Measure]

Perhaps I've answered my own question.

Acording to Jayski last year, impound races were Talledaga, Richmond, and the second Daytona race.

No word if there's been any changes this year, so it's probably the same.

[Jeffrey4396]

I think impound races have to do witht the tracks. I remember when Nascar started it alot of tracks were miffed because that cut track time to minimum. Which means less events for the weekend that the track got to charge fans.

I agree with the tracks. If I'm gonna spend my weekend at the track I want to see cars on it as much as possible. I don't think Nascar realized when they were doing it that they were hurting the fan experience. That is why I think they pretty much did away with it.

[Bob Tanner]

All impound races are at ISC tracks. SMI and the other tracks won't allow them, because they try and wheedle an entire weekend of profits out of the track attendees and use the practices as "bait."

Not that you asked for it but just to start people yelling at me and hopefully a conversation, I think EVERY race, except the Daytona 500, should be an impound race. If they were to do away with The Chosen Rule I would be for qualifying everyone on Saturday and locking in the top 20. Then around 0800 Race day morning let anyone not in the top 20 the option to re-qualify, throwing out their first time. After that, the fastest 23, plus the locked in from the previous day start the race.

If they want to keep The Chosen, do tech inspection Saturday, qualify everyone Sunday morning, then start the race around 1300 est.

This last would give the teams an extra one or two days at home which might result in a couple of things:
(1) The teams spend more time with their families
(2) It might give NA__AR room to increase the schedule by one or two races.

But I could be very, very wrong...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I think EVERY race, except the Daytona 500, should be an impound race. If they were to do away with The Chosen Rule I would be for qualifying everyone on Saturday and locking in the top 20. Then around 0800 Race day morning let anyone not in the top 20 the option to re-qualify, throwing out their first time. After that, the fastest 23, plus the locked in from the previous day start the race.

If they want to keep The Chosen, do tech inspection Saturday, qualify everyone Sunday morning, then start the race around 1300 est.



But I could be very, very wrong...

You could be and then we'd both be wrong ... which in my case wouldn't be a first.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

You could be and then we'd both be wrong ... which in my case wouldn't be a first.

You've been wrong!?!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

You've been wrong!?!

I am married !!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I am married !!!

Ah yes... I see (and know) what you mean.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Ah yes... I see (and know) what you mean.

Happily I might add

(she made me say that)

[Bassdogs]

Having just attended my first race in a few years, I can appreciate the argument that "impounding" could reduce the fan experience. It cost $15 to attend "Friday" practice / qual at Bristol. Certainly not enough to crimp anyones wallet.

To throw a couple of logs on the fire, I'm not concerned about the drivers and teams getting to spend more time with their families in an impound situation. After all the business they are in puts its product on the stage on weekends. Fans don't go to "the" race, they dedicate a weekend or more to the experience. The race is the topper for sure, but hanging out in the Fan areas and watching practice and garage activities is a big part to. TV fans [of which I am one] maybe don't appreciate the difference. When I'm spending a grand or more for my wife and I to attend a race, I want drivers and crew where I can see them, not back in the motor home or jetting home to play a round of golf.

The only thing I like about the impound rule is that it prevents established teams from using a different set-up for quals. At the same time it almost requires the "go or go home" guys to start the race with the wrong set-up making it a lot less likely they will move up in the points.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Having just attended my first race in a few years, I can appreciate the argument that "impounding" could reduce the fan experience. It cost $15 to attend "Friday" practice / qual at Bristol. Certainly not enough to crimp anyones wallet.

To throw a couple of logs on the fire, I'm not concerned about the drivers and teams getting to spend more time with their families in an impound situation. After all the business they are in puts its product on the stage on weekends. Fans don't go to "the" race, they dedicate a weekend or more to the experience. The race is the topper for sure, but hanging out in the Fan areas and watching practice and garage activities is a big part to. TV fans [of which I am one] maybe don't appreciate the difference. When I'm spending a grand or more for my wife and I to attend a race, I want drivers and crew where I can see them, not back in the motor home or jetting home to play a round of golf.

The only thing I like about the impound rule is that it prevents established teams from using a different set-up for quals. At the same time it almost requires the "go or go home" guys to start the race with the wrong set-up making it a lot less likely they will move up in the points.

I can speak only for myself here but since I was an adolescent I can not remember ever going to a race, no...any race, for "the experience."

I know I probably am considered "strange," but this whole "Fan Zone," "Autograph Session," idea leaves me cold. If I really wanted to rub shoulders with drivers and get up close to race cars in their natural element, years ago I would have embarked upon a career in racing. I didn't.

Now, do not misunderstand me. I am not putting down anyone who doesn't feel this way (I'd dare say I am in the vast minority here, in my thinking). I'm just saying I find it hard to relate to what some go to races to find. I don't relate to that any more than I could possible relate to actually spending $1000 on a weekend of race attendance.

But, to those who do understand it, more power to you. Possibly I envy you.

[Bassdogs]

Maybe the fan experience is what separates Nascar from the Friday nite short track. Both can be great and both can be "So, So". I understand where you are coming from Bob, but I suspect you are in fact in a very small minority of race goers. TV fans are different [again I am one] as they get there fix on Sunday [a few on Fri and Sat too] and maybe a couple of midweek talk shows. The fan experience can somewhat be compared to the tailgating folks at the college football game. Its part of the fun for many. Open the track for a couple of hours to qualify and 1 1/2 hours before the race on Sunday would allow for the necessaries but say goodbye to attendance. I will go to 2 races this year. I consider it a short vacation that is based on a racing theme. As for the Grand $$, go to Hilton Head for a long weekend to play golf or just sit on the beach. For that matter take in dinner/drinks at a top restaurant and movie for two on Sat nite and then have a few of your friends over for brats, beer, and whatever for the race on Sunday and add up the total which could be $300 or more, and you never left town.

[Racer Duck]

Impound races .. hmmmm. Like 'em, we do. But, I fear, the fan's don't. At least now with the current scenarios in use they don't.

However, with proper proceedings scheduling, could be a boon for all. See if this idea has any merit (all times are local):

• Friday: teams arrive and begin "free practice" - 1 hour sessions beginning at 1PM with intervening 1 hour intermissions, that run until 8PM (in other words, 4 sessions) and the track is closed at 8PM to all Cup practice. At 8:30PM any "support class practices/qualifying/races" are run. Cup intermissions could be used for "support class" practices, or not.
• Saturday: Pre-qualify inspection (reverse points order) - 8AM-11:30AM. Qualifying races at 12 noon. Followed by "support class racing"
  • Qualifying races are run as follows: 20 minutes, all cars, fastest 12 get first 6 rows, 10 minute pit time, 20 minutes, all cars except first 12, fastest 16 get next 8 rows, 10 minute pit time, 20 minutes, all cars except first 28, fastest 14 get last 7 rows. Past Champ or fastest non-qualified gets last starting place.
  • In case of rain, Qualifying is postponed to Sunday 8AM using the same format.
  • Two 20 minute practice sessions with a 10 minute intermission at 3PM. After last practice, cars are given pre-race inspection and impounded (this happens whether qualifying has been completed or not - in other words, after the last time on the track Saturday, the cars are inspected and impounded...)
  • 5PM support class qualifying/racing begins.
• Sunday: 8AM postponed qualifying, if necessary (only impounded cars eligible for postponed qualifying - after postponed qualifying they are again impounded and must start with fuel on board at end of qualifying.) - if also rained out, the field starts headup by current points. Noon: Pre-race ceremonies. Fire engines at 12:50, parade laps, green flag at 1PM.
• Sunday race length is limited to 3 hours 30 minutes. Race is official after 1 hour 45 minutes +1 lap of green and/or yellow flag racing has occurred.

Yes, I purposefully omitted the Chosen. The only thing Owner's Points should be used for is track entry order and garage space selection.

[Measure]

I like the idea of a time-limited race. As a new fan, I'm surpised that on the 36-race schedule, there's not a single time-limit race.

A timed, 3.5 hour race, only stopping the clock for red flags, would make the TV experience better.

If the time expires while on a yellow flag lap, go with a green-white-checkered finish.

[Bassdogs]

I think the problem with qualifying races is the potential carnage to equipment. That's probably why we have single car qual runs instead. Trying to administer a "daytona" style qualifying would be exciting for sure, but would probably tax the resources of the smaller teams.

A timed race?? Why?? The answer is probably why we don't do it in Nascar.