Tim, you're right on! Collectively, we've all been saying the same for years now. I don't think we can "save" NASCAR, anymore, because, clearly, it is its own worst enemy. Until that changes, we are pushing a rock up a hill. I do think the creation of the RTA, the Driver's Alliance, the the Charter System, and even the maneuverings of old Rockingham, are all related with the vision of a new world order, a life after Brian's NASCAR.
Yep, NA$CAR is all about money, but with no fans are in the stands and the ever-shrinking TV ratings money's going to dry up too. We all know the only way to make a small fortune in racing, is to start with a big one! There's a LOT of blame to go around here...NASCAR's downward spiral has been on-going for yeas....it is now epidemic and undeniable. Some things, in this world, should not be 'improved'.... NEW Coke, old NASCAR, and Bristol are a few examples.
The sight of an empty Bristol was Shocking. The TV kept showing overhead, Blimp shots too...it was painfully obvious. With all the seat removal going on among NASCAR tracks, will Bristol's 'coliseum' stands be next?
I remember Glen and the #70 racing at the Leland Raceway (Wilmington) occasionally. He was always a threat to win, in the gold-metallic Ford. At the time, the hot set-up among Ford racers was the de-stroked 427. Seems the combination was a 427 block with a 390 crank....it all resulted in a Ford 396 big-block engine.....lots of torque, and would spin-up faster than the 427.
Ford is conspicuously absent on the new Daytona "stadium". The most prominent logo is Toyota. Chevrolet does have a presence, but it's down near the end of the facility and not nearly as glaring as Toyota's. Think it don't matter? Gotta pay to play. Nothing new, really. But, In addition to the Hendrick chassis and technical/engineering assistance, Chevrolet has been a major sponsor of Tony's sprint car teams, and is more versed in that type of racing that any other manufacturer, especially Ford. Rick Hendrick also brokered the formation of Stewart-Haas Racing, joining Tony and Gene Haas, surely to insure that Tony would remain in the bow-tie group. I wonder how this will play out. Burning bridges, anyone? Ford must have offered the deal of the century.
NASCAR will pull a rabbit outta the hat should that happen, and come up with the extra four cars....start-and-park-ers, no doubt.
Wood Bros. opt out of RTA....... http://goo.gl/0w3yPZ
