[Team Yates]

NASCAR not policing start and park; full fields not required: When it comes to start-and-park, the bottom line appears to be that it's not a major issue to NASCAR, which is usually keenly tuned to the public's perception of the sport. "NASCAR doesn't perceive this to be an issue," a statement released this week by the sanctioning body said. "It doesn't impact the quality of competition whatsoever. NASCAR has always been about teams having the opportunity to participate in our sport; some teams might not have the full complement of resources to compete at the same level as others, but it's all about having an opportunity." Virtually to a man, the owners who seem to be in the middle of the situation see it in the same way, as racers. And NASCAR said it has had no conversations with owners specific to what their intentions are once they qualify for races. Staying in line with its take that the situation is not one of concern, NASCAR said it would not monitor any closer the reasons teams give for the their cars' dropping out of races, which range from a variety of mechanical reasons such as "engine," "transmission" and "rear end" to more nebulous causes including "handling," "vibration" or "electrical."
AND One thing NASCAR did dispel is the misconception that there is language in the current TV contracts for the three national tours that demands 43-car fields in Cup and Nationwide, and a 36-truck field in the Truck Series, with penalties resulting if full fields aren't provided. "It is NASCAR's responsibility to have a reasonable field of cars for each of its events," NASCAR said in a statement. "However, there is no language in the TV contracts that demands what the size of the fields must be."(NASCAR.com)(4-16-2009)

[Curves24]

It only impacts competition when their car konks out in front of Chase contenders lol. It also affects those who didn't qualify whose cars may have not konked out.
They are just field fillers, or fluff but hey I wouldn't mind making what they make to just show up

[nascaraddict]

While I don't think that "Start and Park" is a practice in the truest sence, I do feel that there are teams out there; from about 30th in points that are will not do everything in their power to repair a car once it's been damaged.

They just pack it up... take their pay day... and head for the shop.

[DodgeFB]

I know how they try to spin it. But I don't see any big time sponsor signing on with a driver and owner that would start and park weekly. Looks like they don't have enough "pride" or something to some people.

[flflash47]

Originally Posted by Curves24

They are just field fillers, or fluff but hey I wouldn't mind making what they make to just show up

Would you be interested in paying what they pay to build and prepare a car, enter it in a race,transport it and the crew to the race, purchase tires for the race, hopefully qualify/practice without breaking anything or wrecking the car just to maybe finish well enough to pay off the bills and start on the next race?
As far as not doing everything in their power to repair a car and get back out there......some of them have no spare parts or the crew to bolt them on in a timely fashion. Pride dont pay for tires/parts/crews/engineers these guys are doing it for the Love of Racing!

[DodgeFB]

Originally Posted by flflash47

Pride dont pay for tires/parts/crews/engineers these guys are doing it for the Love of Racing!

That is where we have a difference of opinion. I think start and park is not good for racing. To me they are just in the real racers way until they sneak off to the hauler. Why race if not to win? They are getting something out of it or they would not keep doing it. I just can't respect that kind of "racing". And if I owned a company I would not want it linked to something like that in the minds of the fans.

[Curves24]

Originally Posted by flflash47

Would you be interested in paying what they pay to build and prepare a car, enter it in a race,transport it and the crew to the race, purchase tires for the race, hopefully qualify/practice without breaking anything or wrecking the car just to maybe finish well enough to pay off the bills and start on the next race?
As far as not doing everything in their power to repair a car and get back out there......some of them have no spare parts or the crew to bolt them on in a timely fashion. Pride dont pay for tires/parts/crews/engineers these guys are doing it for the Love of Racing!

Sort of seems like they are spinning their wheels so to speak. If all they get is enough to keep showing up AND they are taking the place of some that might be there to finish a race, then something is wrong with this picture. Don't get me wrong I love an underdog, but I am still of the thinking if you can't run with the big dogs stay on the porch. I am sorry however that squashes dreams, but squashed dreams are a fact of life.

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by DodgeFB

That is where we have a difference of opinion. I think start and park is not good for racing. To me they are just in the real racers way until they sneak off to the hauler. Why race if not to win? They are getting something out of it or they would not keep doing it. I just can't respect that kind of "racing". And if I owned a company I would not want it linked to something like that in the minds of the fans.

Agreed, the key word here is "racing" or the lack there off.
These guys tune their cars for 5 laps and make their dinner reservations.
Most have a problem with the 35 rule, well, here are these 8 spots that need to be filled by real racers that want to move up in the sport.

[nascaraddict]

When a NASCAR teams' hauler gets more mileage going to the Atlanta and back... and then the car runs MAYBE thirty laps, and gets a payday ... There's something wrong here.

[DodgeFB]

Originally Posted by nascaraddict

When a NASCAR teams' hauler gets more mileage going to the Atlanta and back... and then the car runs MAYBE thirty laps, and gets a payday ... There's something wrong here.

Very well said. I agree 100%.

[wardfan]

I think the 35 rule has made it so one sided against the smaller teams that they are just making the best of a situation that is stacked against them.

[flflash47]

I admit I see both sides of this situation and frankly feel uneasy which ever way I lean. In my opinion the top 35 rule got us into this and the economy slapped it in our faces.
Think about this from a business perspective which currently how we have to look at everything.

Your a team owner you can afford to get to the race but your budget is really stressed, If you can make the race you can tell your potential sponsor "Hey look we can make the races and your NAME will be on the TV" you now have VALUE and might get some change for the next race, Sooooo
You look at positions 43 up to 30 there's not alot of money differance at the payout window , Soooooooo

A: Your car develops an "ailment" early and you park it and save it for the next race because It's a Good Car IT MADE THE RACE lets keep it as fresh and race ready as possible.

OR

B: You run it till it drops maybe till the finish!!! make a couple thousand more and Thank God the car did'nt get stuffed in the fence by one of the Hot Dogs.... BUTT you now have a worn out motor/trans/rear end/shocks/etc and need to spend 20-30 THOUSAND to get it in shape for the next race.

What would you do?

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by flflash47

What would you do?

C - You try and run up front (top 25) and catch the interest of a sponsor or mega-team that can possibly help you run in the top 15 withing a couple of years or add you to their satellite team.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

C - You try and run up front (top 25) and catch the interest of a sponsor or mega-team that can possibly help you run in the top 15 withing a couple of years or add you to their satellite team.

I think that is part of flflash47's point. There is very little major sponsorship out there right now. I don't like the start & park theory but if you have a stressed budget and no chance of getting into the top 20 - 25 and more importantly run the risk of being involved in a major accident ..... then I guess you use your economic head and get it back into the hauler in one piece. Mind you .... I don't like this policy but there are good drivers and teams with no sponsors.

[Curves24]

Originally Posted by flflash47

I admit I see both sides of this situation and frankly feel uneasy which ever way I lean. In my opinion the top 35 rule got us into this and the economy slapped it in our faces.
Think about this from a business perspective which currently how we have to look at everything.

Your a team owner you can afford to get to the race but your budget is really stressed, If you can make the race you can tell your potential sponsor "Hey look we can make the races and your NAME will be on the TV" you now have VALUE and might get some change for the next race, Sooooo
You look at positions 43 up to 30 there's not alot of money differance at the payout window , Soooooooo

A: Your car develops an "ailment" early and you park it and save it for the next race because It's a Good Car IT MADE THE RACE lets keep it as fresh and race ready as possible.

OR

B: You run it till it drops maybe till the finish!!! make a couple thousand more and Thank God the car did'nt get stuffed in the fence by one of the Hot Dogs.... BUTT you now have a worn out motor/trans/rear end/shocks/etc and need to spend 20-30 THOUSAND to get it in shape for the next race.

What would you do?

I understand what your saying flash, I do. This economy is horrid. But put this into terms of your family and having to eat. There are just times when you have to hang it up on your dream job and feed your family.
I think I said it is fine with me if they fill the field, but if they take the place of someone with a sponsor who might attempt to finish a race, then they might be taking from another family's mouth. It is still not bad enough out there where one car will even be competition to the super teams unfortunately.