Embarrassing Blowout for NASCAR

Washington Post ^ | October 17, 2005 | By Liz Clarke

[Fierce Allegiance]

I think you are wrong on that. The reason NASCAR is so big IS because of TV

I don't think so. Many of these tracks were around before TV. Also, how would this explain the popularity of local short tracks, and auto racing being the NUMBER ONE spectator sport in the world? Fan interest in auto racing happened long before NBC missed almost every restart for commercial purposes.

[Lurking in Kansas]

NASCAR hasn't been NASCAR since they went to driving caricatures instead of "stock" cars.

I think you need to change your name to oldgeezer..

:-)

[KC_Conspirator]

Sure, NASCAR was popular in the south, but TV was the biggest reason it increased its audience to what it is today. Aggressive marketing was also another. That is why there are tracks all around the country now.

[RoseofTexas]

"Embarrassing Blowout for NASCAR"

IT'S BUSH'S FAULT!! :)

[Fierce Allegiance]

Incompetent half-a$$ed engineering. Cars should not fall apart for any reason except accidents.

A good race car designer will get the absolute most possible from a car, not build a brick. If the engine expires just after the car crosses the finish line, that's perfect engineering.

It does no good to put a truck engine in a race car.

[Semper Vigilantis]

Old style NASCAR (read that as pre Politically Correct, pre even playing field rules, pre cookie cutter cars, pre Goodyear only and no restictor plate racing) would not be boring. Old NASCAR with today's TV coverage could be HUGE.

[Semper Vigilantis]

Now NASCAR has preplanned scheduled yellow flags.

WTF??? The DH comes to Auto Racing.

Yep, NASCAR has "competition yellows" so that teams can change tires, check for wear, etc. UN-believable!

[ex-snook]

"If the engine expires just after the car crosses the finish line, that's perfect engineering."

OK I would agree with that. My comments were directed to those that fall apart before the finish line, tires included, as a lot less than perfect.

[Final Authority]

The result of that race is that the "rule book" will call for an engine with reduced horsepower or a smaller restrictor plate so that after 20 years of racing the speeds at that track will be reduced by more than 30 mph on average.

Why was it that 20 years ago tires held up on cars with poorer aerodynamics, suspension, after all, they were more "stock" than race cars then and a Chevy was a Chevy, now a "Dodge" uses a Chevy small block derivative engine as all cars do, and tires were "cut down" but they didn't disintegrate?

I also see a problem with the quality of racing when the drivers are so protected in the cockpit that they can't turn their head but only gaze straight ahead now with the head restraints and the seat/capsule protection, that they need spotters to tell them who is around them.

They (NASCAR) will just keep slowing the cars down, making all of the engines available on a lottery basis so no team has an advantage, keep the "rule book" out of the hands of the fans (can anyone imagine watching an NFL game without knowing the rules or knowing what rules went into effect since the last game?) so the fans are in the dark so they won't realize that a Dodge" is no different than a "Chevy" except for the decal graphics on the plastic front end but has to test mechanically for shape and aerodynamics the same as everyone else, within the "rules".

[American Vet Repairman]

It was the best race all year! What are people kavetching about? Instead of it being the boring race that is usually good at the last 50 laps the whole doggone thing was great to watch. The Busch race on friday was interesting because of the same problem. First time in years we watched an entire Busch race.

[deport]

I heard it was because the track had been ground down in the turns and that made it erase the rubber?

---

They even brought in the Texas Tire Monster to try and lay some rubber down on the track during the week....... This thing has 12 tires on it and is pulled behind a truck at some 60-70 mph for many laps. The tires at set at a slight angle to induce tire wear or rubbing thus adding rubber to the track surface.

[American Vet Repairman]

"What condition was the road surface?"

The road was ground smooth and was actually too good for tire speed. The underinflated tires at the begining did not help much either. There were a few blow outs due to debris. Overall the track was the way Clinton liked his women -hot, loose and fast.

[GallopingGhost]

Don't foget the Indy 500 this last year, where the Michellin drivers weren't allowed to race.

That wasn't the Indy 500. That was F1's Indianapolis Grand Prix.

[Red Badger]

Is there a NASCAR standard for track surface quality/condition? If not, there should be. At 100-200MPH the drivers should have a standard surface to race on.............

[Ladysmith]

I heard something to that effect also. The owner assured the drivers that the track will be resurfaced by next May. Sounds like the drivers were not happy with that track at all.

[Pete'sWife]

Now THAT'S racin'!!!

[kx9088]

You missed a few points: Going 180mph in a pack of 15 cars while making a left turn without turn signals or brake lights.

Think of it as every commuters worst nightmare.

F1, CART, etc. are all so great too. All those left turns and right turns inter-mingled is awesome. And once every 15-20 laps, someone may actually attempt to pass another car!!!

[American Vet Repairman]

"Is there a NASCAR standard for track surface quality/condition?"


There is a standard of quality on a track by track assessment. The standards of rail safety and degree of bank are in agreement with NASCAR standards. All track safety devices are NASCAR mandates. Actual track maintainance is the track owners responsibility. With the newer tracks California and Texas there was a hand in hand development. Charlotte is a great track and was a little wavy in the past. Due to some complaints the wave was ground down and now we have a speed monster that no tire was ready for.

If they resurface the track there will most likely be the new polymer that was used in Texas aplied to the asphalt. This polymer gives more adhesion to the car.

[Dazedcat]

During the Japanese Grand Prix a couple weeks ago, Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen passed another driver (Alonso I think) on a very sharp turn with maybe a lap and a half left in the race. I watched the replay at least a half a dozen times and I still couldn't believe it. Hell, jockeys in horse racing don't pass other horses like this, let alone seeing it in motorsport.

The announcer said that pass was worth 100 NASCAR style passes......and he was right.

I respect the skill involved in NASCAR racing, but for my money F1 is so much better it's not even the same sport.

[kx9088]

To each his own.

But to try and argue that "racing is not driving in circles making all left turns..." blah blah blah. Whatever.