Posted on 06/20/2007 12:39:11 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
Sprint will replace Nextel as title sponsor of NASCAR's premier racing series starting in 2008, according to an ESPN.com report citing sources.
The series will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the report said.
NASCAR declined to comment.
The move would mark the third time in four seasons that NASCAR's Cup Series changed names.
From 1972-2003, the Cup Series was sponsored by R.J. Reynolds tobacco through its Winston cigarette brand. Nextel assumed the naming rights in 2004.
Here’s another NASCAR question. If they ever get a gay driver, could he sue for discrimination if they didn’t let him sit on the pole?
Pathetic.
Not much you and agree on but I’m with you on this one.
Thanks.
No problem. The COT (to me) is just a ridiculous-looking joke of a racecar. I'll admit that the wing makes up about 75% of the obnoxious value, but it's still butt-ugly overall. Not to mention the enormous amount of money teams have had to spend on the COT.
The GWC is like playing extra innings or going into overtime when there isn't even a tie in the first place. Answer this. If the GWC is such a good idea, why do they only give it one attempt before they call the race? The racing I was brought up on was based on a fixed distance and no "guarantee" of excitement. Imagine if in football, they outlawed taking a knee to run out the clock because it wasn't exciting for the fans. Hey, that's sports. Sometimes there is drama, other times not. But what Brian France is doing is more like Hollywood or pro wrestling.
The testing and tire rules are another attempt to reduce the cost of racing and increase competition. But the net result is that the teams with the most money will always be able to overcome these obstacles. (Just look at the Hendrick cars this year) The teams with less money will just fall further behind.
Thats just my take.
Okay. Thanks.
I like the look of the COT, but that is a taste issue. I thought it was supposed to SAVE the teams money? No more expensive wind tunnel time. Was that not one of the selling points?
You have a good point on the GWC and I think you’ve sold me...I think they’re too many cautions anyway.
Can you explain the tire and testing issues to me a little more? I am not sure I even know what they are.
Thanks!
Sure, I'll do my best and hope they don't change again before I'm done.
The tire issue is simply the difference between buying tires and leasing tires. The current rule is based on a lease, meaning you don't leave the track on race day with any tires. You turn them back into Goodyear. The idea being you can't test if you don't have tires to test with.
The testing rule is a bit more complex and has been tweaked a little here and there over the years. This is best explained by giving you a link to a page at jayski.com, a hub of NASCAR info. See here: http://www.jayski.com/stats/testing/testing2007.htm
My point with these issues is that NASCAR creates three problems for every one they "fix". Much like government bureaucrats.
I could go on and on about the death of NASCAR but I don't want to spoil your day.
Truform - Official hernia truss of Nascar.
Or they can say it invokes Beatle John, whose middle name was Winston (in honor of Churchill) before he wed Yoko and replaced it with Ono.
Or they can say it sort of invokes Maryland's eastern shore. There's a town there called Church Hill.
ff
I was reading your exchange over the COT. It does save teams money.
Here is an interesting note: Harvick has run the same COT in every race this year. Look at his finishes. Not bad.
Typically, teams fields different cars for each type of track. The COT (ignoring the look of the car) can be used on super-speedways, tri-ovals and short-tracks and road courses.
The teams with money jumped on testing the COT early which caught all the other teams flat-footed. Some teams tried to gamble that the COT would be yanked by NASCAR at the last minute. When that didn’t happen, they got caught with their pants down.
Next year should be interesting as all races will use the COT and teams will be more even.
PS - I would prefer to go back to actual stock cars that you could buy from the showroom floor. Of course those days are long gone except in the SCCA.
The days of legendary cars is over (ex: RYR's 007). It's finally what Brian "Frenchie" France wants...a 43-car IROC field half-filled with snot-nosed brats. I personally like the idea of track-specific cars.
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