[Racer Duck]

I was just rummaging around at NASCAR.com and saw this. Thought I'd better post it so all you folks who've been complaining about it will get a big grin on your face

It won't be on Labor Day, but Mother's Day.

Read about it here.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I was just rummaging around at NASCAR.com and saw this. Thought I'd better post it so all you folks who've been complaining about it will get a big grin on your face

It won't be on Labor Day, but Mother's Day.

Read about it here.

Pardon me if I appear underwhelmed, Charlie. yea!

[Measure]

As a newer fan, I've gotta say... what the hell? who gives a damn what the races are called? The track and distance didn't change, right?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Measure

As a newer fan, I've gotta say... what the hell? who gives a damn what the races are called? The track and distance didn't change, right?

As a fan who has been around since the 50's, and grew up with the traditioon of the Southern 500 on Labour Day, it means a lot.

[LSC9901]

Much agreed Bob. To those who think of it as a victory or no big deal that it isn't on Labor Day I'm pleased to announce that the Daytona 500 will be run in August of 2009. It's no big deal ..... is it ???

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Pardon me if I appear underwhelmed, Charlie. yea!

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

As a fan who has been around since the 50's, and grew up with the traditioon of the Southern 500 on Labour Day, it means a lot.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Much agreed Bob. To those who think of it as a victory or no big deal that it isn't on Labor Day I'm pleased to announce that the Daytona 500 will be run in August of 2009. It's no big deal ..... is it ???

No one is 100% pleased about this, but there seems to be some sort of groundswell of opinion that's pushing this along. The way I read the article is:

1. Establish a dedicated fan base for every race at Darlington. (Done with several straight sellouts.)
2. Get the name reinstated at Darlington and approved by NASCAR (evidently also done according to the article), then
3. Lobby for moving the date back to Labor Day.

Sometimes ya just have to take baby steps instead of Paul Bunyan steps! Just because it's not all happening at one time is no reason to "sour grapes" it. If you really want it, then stay vocal about it and take anything you can get along the way.

[Lefty Noob]

You know, I can't believe that more people aren't enthusiastic about this.

I'll address my comments to Bob as the unofficial forum curmudgeon here, since he's been one of the guys at the forefront of this fight.

You wanted the Southern 500 back. You've got it.

You wanted the race to be moved back to Darlington. You've got it.

You want the race on Labor Day. Well...

Originally Posted by NASCAR.com

"Of course, in a perfect scenario, the old name would reunite with the old date. But Darlington is locked into that Mother's Day weekend slot for 2009, so the dreamers hoping for a return to Labor Day will have to wait until 2010 at the very least. One thing at a time. Resurrecting the Southern 500, a race name all but consigned to the record books, is enough of an accomplishment for right now."

In 2009, that's a contractual impossibility. But they're acknowledging it, and by gum if it doesn't sounds like they're gonna try and make it happen in 2010. I asked elsewhere is this was could be considered a minor victory. Most felt it could not. But you know what? Maybe it's the eternal optimist in me, but I'm betting in two years, the race will be back exactly how you wanted it. Like Ducky says, gotta take those baby steps!

[Quality88]

I'll believe when I see it Lefty.... the article is from NASCAR's official site.. in other words, their publication and not another sports site that isn't controlled by NA$CAR. I'll bet my avatar this is just a smoke screen.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I'll believe when I see it Lefty.... the article is from NASCAR's official site.. in other words, their publication and not another sports site that isn't controlled by NA$CAR. I'll bet my avatar this is just a smoke screen.

What would be the point of acknowledging that they recognize a large percentage of their fanbase would like a certain change, and then not eventually working to make that change? If they had no intention of moving it back to Labor Day, I'm sure they'd just have their spinmeisters hard at working trying to convince all of us that it was fine right where it was, some kind of "tradition meets the future" kind of humblejumble.

[2418jk]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

What would be the point of acknowledging that they recognize a large percentage of their fanbase would like a certain change, and then not eventually working to make that change? If they had no intention of moving it back to Labor Day, I'm sure they'd just have their spinmeisters hard at working trying to convince all of us that it was fine right where it was, some kind of "tradition meets the future" kind of humblejumble.

Haven't you learned by now that there will people on here that will never be happy about anything NASCAR does? I posted a thread on this exact subject the other night when I heard about it. Everyone there bashed the whole idea. I am happy and don't really care what the so called "core fans" think. Quite frankly I am tired of NASCAR trying to please them. They want the southern 500 back and got it, but that is not good enough. They're going to bash NASCAR no matter what. There is history in that race date, but also in that name so you would think the so called "core fans" that claim to be so into the history would get that but I guess not. I don't know why they watch racing. It would be irritating to me to watch something when the whole time I'm thinking this sucks. They screwed this up and they screwed that up, or that ain't thje way they used to do it. OF COURSE IT'S NOT. THIS IS 2008 NOT 1958. If they are doing something different now it is because it didn't work, not because it worked perfect and went over well. You don't change something if it works, but obviously some things didn't or NASCAR would still do it. I for one was thrilled at the return of the name. I will be watching the race suday at MIS and enjoying it because that is why I watch it. For enjoyment. Not to find something to complain about. It seems like we all have this arguement over and over. I have said before NASCAR doesn't always make the right move, but this one was the right move so you can like it or go have your wives get you're bed pans for you because quite frankly I just don't care anymore and I don't think NASCAR does either.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

You know, I can't believe that more people aren't enthusiastic about this.

I'll address my comments to Bob as the unofficial forum curmudgeon here, since he's been one of the guys at the forefront of this fight.

You wanted the Southern 500 back. You've got it.

You wanted the race to be moved back to Darlington. You've got it.

To quote Willie Shakesphere: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. "

Sometimes the Bard was just plain full of crap. He was obviously never a NASCAR Fan. He'd probably would have like The Chosen 35 Rule and The Playoffs, too.

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

You want the race on Labor Day. Well ...

In 2009, that's a contractual impossibility. But they're acknowledging it, and by gum if it doesn't sounds like they're gonna try and make it happen in 2010. I asked elsewhere is this was could be considered a minor victory. Most felt it could not. But you know what? Maybe it's the eternal optimist in me, but I'm betting in two years, the race will be back exactly how you wanted it. Like Ducky says, gotta take those baby steps!

NA__AR finally has figured out after four years that moving NASCAR's most traditional race from a track which provided excellent and challenging racing to that cookie-cutter track in Fontana which offers virtually nothing, might not have been their finest hour.

Now the dilemma is how to correct the mistake without admitting that it might have been one of their stupider moves. Maybe we'll throw 'em a bone (Atlanta) and see if it works but since we know it probably won't (Maybe these unwashed hayseeds aren't as dumb as they sometimes look?), we lay some groundwork for the race's rightful return.

However, if we think they're buying into it (the Atlanta fiasco), and they probably will, since the fans who actually know that there were traditions going back prior to 1993 are decreasing in number daily, thru natural attrition and the feeling of disenfranchisement is forcing them to [finally] forsake NA__AR altogether. If the latter proves true we'll just forget about returning it to the Darlington track. We'll just eventually throw Darlington and Martinsville on the trash pile where we threw Rockingham and N. Wilksboro. Who needs old decrepit tracks like those when we can build cookie-cutter skyscrapers in NYC, Seattle, Denver and Toronto? Screw the racing! WE need sky boxes and a younger demographic!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by 2418jk

you because quite frankly I just don't care anymore and I don't think NASCAR does either.

It took you awhile in this particular post but you finally said something that is absolute, unmitigated fact. (See bold above)

NA__AR is proving to be like a slutty mate ( either male or female) who forsakes the spouse who stayed with them when times were tough but assisted them to where they are today, for a younger, more attractive model. The homewrecker who broke up the marriage and the slutty mate, as you so correctly put it, "just don't care anymore."

If any of you good folks out there can relate to the scenario I give above, you can understand to how many of us "Old timers" feel.

It's truly sad.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by 2418jk

Haven't you learned by now that there will people on here that will never be happy about anything NASCAR does? I posted a thread on this exact subject the other night when I heard about it. Everyone there bashed the whole idea. I am happy and don't really care what the so called "core fans" think. Quite frankly I am tired of NASCAR trying to please them. They want the southern 500 back and got it, but that is not good enough. They're going to bash NASCAR no matter what. There is history in that race date, but also in that name so you would think the so called "core fans" that claim to be so into the history would get that but I guess not. I don't know why they watch racing. It would be irritating to me to watch something when the whole time I'm thinking this sucks. They screwed this up and they screwed that up, or that ain't thje way they used to do it. OF COURSE IT'S NOT. THIS IS 2008 NOT 1958. If they are doing something different now it is because it didn't work, not because it worked perfect and went over well. You don't change something if it works, but obviously some things didn't or NASCAR would still do it. I for one was thrilled at the return of the name. I will be watching the race suday at MIS and enjoying it because that is why I watch it. For enjoyment. Not to find something to complain about. It seems like we all have this arguement over and over. I have said before NASCAR doesn't always make the right move, but this one was the right move so you can like it or go have your wives get you're bed pans for you because quite frankly I just don't care anymore and I don't think NASCAR does either.

Tough post to respond to, but an excellent opinion. Very true this in not 1958 and very true that we (old time fans) will probably never be as happy as we once were .... but that is our prerogative is it not ? To dream of the past and how great it was is only natural. Do you never dream of the times when you were a child and how you wish "those days" could return ? By all means much in our lives is better today but we still yearn for days gone by. The days when it was (or so it seems) much simpler. Yes we want the Southern 500 to return but at the same time we want it in its rightful place and time slot. If we didn't complain (AKA - voice our opinions) where o where would we be ?? If you are a lemming who complains about nothing, it must be a sorrowful life. I, for one, will never be totally happy with where NASCAR is or where it is headed, but rest assured that at 2:20 PM this Sunday I'll be tuned into the TV watching the sport I love best and cheering on an armful of drivers who I won't mind seeing win at the sport I enjoy. If it is an event such as Indy I may well complain. If it isn't anything like Indy I may still complain. Will it change anything ???? I doubt it. It won't even change the thought that next week I'll tune in again and all during the week I'll probably click on my "GTG" icon and .... complain or as I like to say ... offer an opinion.

[2418jk]

As I've said, i'm not a lemming who never complains. I have complained about many things NASCAR has done. when people respond to my posts they all like to ignore that. I guess it helps them prove there point. I am just saying for once NASCAR does something decent and people still find a reason to hate it.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by 2418jk

As I've said, i'm not a lemming who never complains. I have complained about many things NASCAR has done. when people respond to my posts they all like to ignore that. I guess it helps them prove there point. I am just saying for once NASCAR does something decent and people still find a reason to hate it.

Trust me I wasn't pointing the lemming finger at you. it was just used as an example. At the same time I think you misread a lot of what others say. You won't find the word hate in any of my posts and probably not in Bob Tanner's either. We, or at least I, complain because it just isn't the way we'd do it if we were the decision makers. Does that make us right ??? Probably not. Does it make us wrong ??? Definitely not. I find that it is OK to shoot for perfection with the understanding that we may not achieve it and when we don't ..... I offer opinions.