2014 NASCAR Thread

[BDKJMU]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssm-KiPaFU8[/youtube]

[93henfan]

Just another day at Martinsville. The video didn't even show a quarter of the bumping between those two. I'm amazed Busch was able to survive it.

I was listening to Jr's frequency on priority over the MRN broadcast on my scanner and his spotter was telling him to keep away from those two. Then later in the race, Jr spun Jamie McMurray and the spotter was concerned that McMurray was going to do the same to Jr. McMurry did try to clip Jr. the first time Jr. came back around but all of McMurray's tires were flat so he couldn't get him.

[BDKJMU]

Just another day at Martinsville. The video didn't even show a quarter of the bumping between those two. I'm amazed Busch was able to survive it.

I was listening to Jr's frequency on priority over the MRN broadcast on my scanner and his spotter was telling him to keep away from those two. Then later in the race, Jr spun Jamie McMurray and the spotter was concerned that McMurray was going to do the same to Jr. McMurry did try to clip Jr. the first time Jr. came back around but all of McMurray's tires were flat so he couldn't get him.

Yeah, I was thinking McMurray was going to try to retaliate to.Mostly Jr's fault, but McMurray did appear to lift a little so as to not get into the back of Biffle, and he came down some too after JR had already stuck his nose in there. Jr's tires were all the way onto the curb when his hit McMurray- he couldn't have gone any lower.

McMurray afterwards & video:
"He barely got into me and you hope that wouldn't happen and he would get off of you, but he didn't. I went around and got into the wall pretty hard. There was a lap car holding up our pack. I thought the No. 88 would be a little more patient with me. I had gotten by him in lap traffic. Then he got on my inside. When he got into me, it was like it couldn't get off and spun me around and just got into the wall there."

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/ ... ville.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[89Hen]

So does it just seem like every time they tinker with the points, #24 is on the short end? They go to this new format of winners get top spot and Gordon is of course leading the points race.

[93henfan]

So does it just seem like every time they tinker with the points, #24 is on the short end? They go to this new format of winners get top spot and Gordon is of course leading the points race.

Gordon clearly lost the most in the changes that began in 2004.

[DSUrocks07]

[BDKJMU]

Talladega ending was lame. Starting wrecking right before the leaders got the white flag but threw the caution to end the race with over a half lap left:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/c ... ans-050414" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

As a Jr fan, was really frustrated watching him hang back the last 30 or so laps. Yeah he missed getting caught up in a couple of big wrecks, but he hung back too much for someone with a good car that lead a lot of laps. Finishing 26 was near last among the card that didn't wreck.
http://beta.sportingnews.com/article/45 ... 0&pmnc=410" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bluehenbillk]

I still like NASCAR but when I see all the empty seats and tarp covered sections at Dover today I have to wonder if the days of them getting two races per year should be over....

[93henfan]

I still like NASCAR but when I see all the empty seats and tarp covered sections at Dover today I have to wonder if the days of them getting two races per year should be over....

I'm at the race. Are you? If not, why? Perhaps Dover could use your feedback.

Anyway, it's not just Dover. Did you see the empty backstretch at Charlotte last week? The shiny empty spots at the Indy 500?

Even Bristol doesn't sell out any more, and that was once unthinkable.

[93henfan]

Some Dover facts:

I've been going to races here since 1975 when the track seated 22,000.

The grandstand capacity grew to 140,000 in about 15 years from the late 80s to the early 00s. When they still allowed infield public vehicle access, there were 170,000 spectators on race day.

I spoke to my uncle, a track official, this morning and he told me the advance sales for today's race was only 48,000. This will NOT be reported to the media.

[bluehenbillk]

It looks like 48K. Was there even much traffic this morning?

[93henfan]

It looks like 48K. Was there even much traffic this morning?

None.

[Col Hogan]

POS track...they have to stop the race to fix the track...

[93henfan]

POS track...they have to stop the race to fix the track...

Cough, Daytona and Martinsville and California.

FWIW, Dover had it repaired in <20 min unlike the other tracks.

[grizzaholic]

POS track...they have to stop the race to fix the track...

Cough, Daytona and Martinsville and California.

FWIW, Dover had it repaired in <20 min unlike the other tracks.

Was it concrete vs. black-top?

In real time I thought it was a full beer. Probably a BL.

[89Hen]

If not, why? Perhaps Dover could use your feedback.

It looks like 48K. Was there even much traffic this morning?

None.

My fear of a 5 hour drive for what should be 90 minutes, which I guess is now unfounded thanks to slacking attendance.

[clenz]

Honest question

Did NASCAR get too big too fast and in a rush to stay a head got WAY to big WAY to fast (in terms of capacities, prices, etc...)

[93henfan]

Honest question

Did NASCAR get too big too fast and in a rush to stay a head got WAY to big WAY to fast (in terms of capacities, prices, etc...)

Yes, that is part of it. Along with several other items I have rehashed ad nauseum.

Cliff notes:
-NASCAR abandoned its core southern base by taking races away from North Wilkesboro NC (all of them), Rockingham NC (all of them), Darlington SC (one of them).
-Dale Earnhardt died.
-Great Recession
-Fuel prices - much of NASCAR attendance prior to 2001 came in gas sucking RVs - they could make it when gas was $1.25/gal in 1999 - not so much when it is triple that
-Chase format
-Car of Tomorrow
-Dominance of Jimmie Johnson (6 cups in 8 years and 5 in a row)
-Elimination of infield camping/spectating at majority of tracks after 9/11
-Too big, too fast that you mentioned. Many tracks doubled or tripled in size from 1985 to 2000. Typical ticket price went from $25 to $100. They are now dropping. My Dover tickets are $85 each down from $96. Turn seating goes for $50ish. My Martinsville tix were $60ish.

[89Hen]

I would agree with all of your post except:

-Dominance of Jimmie Johnson (6 cups in 8 years and 5 in a row)

I think actually having one dominant team/player/driver is good for any sport. People love them or hate them and will tune in to see them either continue to dominate or be dethroned.

[93henfan]

But mostly, I blame Bush.

[93henfan]

I would agree with all of your post except:

-Dominance of Jimmie Johnson (6 cups in 8 years and 5 in a row)

I think actually having one dominant team/player/driver is good for any sport. People love them or hate them and will tune in to see them either continue to dominate or be dethroned.

I think Kyle Busch is the guy that draws an audience. JJ puts them to sleep.

[89Hen]

I would agree with all of your post except:

-Dominance of Jimmie Johnson (6 cups in 8 years and 5 in a row)

I think actually having one dominant team/player/driver is good for any sport. People love them or hate them and will tune in to see them either continue to dominate or be dethroned.

I think Kyle Busch is the guy that draws an audience. JJ puts them to sleep.

True. Not sure anyone really hates JJ. I really hate KY.

[clenz]

Honest question

Did NASCAR get too big too fast and in a rush to stay a head got WAY to big WAY to fast (in terms of capacities, prices, etc...)

Yes, that is part of it. Along with several other items I have rehashed ad nauseum.

Cliff notes:
-NASCAR abandoned its core southern base by taking races away from North Wilkesboro NC (all of them), Rockingham NC (all of them), Darlington SC (one of them).
-Dale Earnhardt died.
-Great Recession
-Fuel prices - much of NASCAR attendance prior to 2001 came in gas sucking RVs - they could make it when gas was $1.25/gal in 1999 - not so much when it is triple that
-Chase format
-Car of Tomorrow
-Dominance of Jimmie Johnson (6 cups in 8 years and 5 in a row)
-Elimination of infield camping/spectating at majority of tracks after 9/11
-Too big, too fast that you mentioned. Many tracks doubled or tripled in size from 1985 to 2000. Typical ticket price went from $25 to $100. They are now dropping. My Dover tickets are $85 each down from $96. Turn seating goes for $50ish. My Martinsville tix were $60ish.

That was my next question.

I've noticed the last decade or so that NASCAR has become progressively "northern" and seems to have left behind the "traditional NASCAR hick image" in hopes to grab "people like me".

They may have grabbed some but I'm not sure it is nearly as many as they lost by doing so.

The rest of it, IMO, played a small part but the too big too fast and "going yankee" would be my guesses. I just wanted a "true NASCAR" fans input.

[93henfan]

I think Kyle Busch is the guy that draws an audience. JJ puts them to sleep.

True. Not sure anyone really hates JJ. I really hate KY.

I love watching my dad watch NASCAR on TV or even at races like yesterday. If JJ is running away with a race, my dad will go grill something or finish cutting the grass or something and then come back and catch the last 20 laps.

If KB is running away, he will sit there gripped, waiting for his misfortune to hopefully come. When KB smacked the wall yesterday at Dover, people were high fiving. He obviously gets the most boos in driver intros and now simply cups his ear to egg on the crowd. I secretly love the guy.