Forum Activity for @bumpertag

The fans and the sport has changed. Does it really matter?

General

Dave, you brought back a cherished memory of mine. After my first race at Charlotte we went into the garage area for post cards and autographs. Back then I felt I was in the presents of royalty or greatness. Today, due to age and exsposure, I don't fell the same way for todays drivers. Thanks for the memories.

Dave Fulton said:

Keep having this dream that they're gonna put on a NASCAR points race with a huge purse on a big dirt track using hemis, 427s, porcupines, bias ply tires, windshield wipers, dirt screens, etc. and Cotton Owens is fielding a car for David Pearson and the fans are welcome in the pits to meet the drivers after the race.....

The fans and the sport has changed. Does it really matter?

General

Well put Patty. It just isn't as important to most of todays fans. Looking back, I have to say I don't know if I would have been as big a NASCAR fan if I didn't have the rivalry days of the manufacuturers and teams that stuck with sponsors and color schemes. Yes, from time to times teams changed paint schemes, but it wasn't directed by a marketing team to sell souvenirs. I hope I can get over my phobia of Fords and Toyotas soon. I can't even look people in the eye when I tell them my favorite drivers.

The fans and the sport has changed. Does it really matter?

General

Thanks for the great responses. I thought I was the only person that missed the manufacturer rivalrys that took place back in the early days. It's hard for me to stand up and shout, "I'm a Allmendinger Fan" because I have never liked Fords. Friends identified me by the fact that I only pulled for Chevy teams. The cars and trucks I bought were all GM, nothing else in my driveway. My password on my work computer is "Chevy". Now I find myself pulling for Ford, Toyota and Chevy teams. I feel dirty for some reason. What has become of our sport.Are the younger fans to blame or is this just the natural evolutiona sport where money can make you overlook anything? I don't see as bright a future for the sport if brand loyalty is so unimportant.

The fans and the sport has changed. Does it really matter?

General

This post is in no way an attemp to re-start the raging discussion about "Todays Cars Are Not Real Stock Cars". That is a given. This is more about the way fans view the teams and each particular make on the track. I have always been a Chevrolet fan, in most part due to the time that I became interested in NASCAR. Chevy was getting back in the sport and the feud between my uncles was growing week by week. Most were FoMoCo fans so I rarely heard anything good about Chevy. I watched and grew more interested in Chevy and by the mid 70's I was a bold fan of the Bow Tie. Now I was still a huge fan of The King and the 74 Charger, and to this day I still am. So when Petty came to Chevrolet in 78 I was a very happy guy. But this is where this post is stemming from.

Growing up I was exposed to the kind of brand loyalty that makes NASCAR fans stand out from fans of other sports. My uncles worshipped the FoMoCo teams and would not pull for any driver not in a Ford. I became that way after Petty changed to Chevy and later Pontiac. It the drivers wasn't in a GM car, I could not pull for them. My dilemma started when my favorite driver ofrecent historywas Bobby Labonte and he signed with the #47 Toyota team. The Petty teams were in a Dodge and struggling to stay afloat. I felt as if I had no team. What to do.

Now Petty is in a Ford and Labonte is still in a Toyota. I started pulling for Bowyer and have really become a fan. But I still pull for the #43 and Allmendinger and it's getting easier with the way they have been running. So, in todays sport of NASCAR, do the fans really care about the manufacturer? Is is the team, the driver or sponsor? Is this what the sport has become? Are we happy with this? I miss the days of the Car Battles. The jawing back and forth between Ford and Chevy fans. They all seem to be blending together and I think that is something the sport will miss.

Stay on topic, the fans view of the manufacturers and is it really important. Whats your thoughts?

Bumpertag in S. Carolina

updated by @bumpertag: 03/30/17 12:12:51AM

I've Always Liked Pocono

General

Saw the rants and screams on Facebook asking does Pocono deserve 2 dates. Most replies stated it shouldn't be on the circuit, some fans hate it. Back in the early 80's I kindda felt the same way, but I feelings were based on the fact that the TV coverage was Pay for View one year and that turned me off to this track. As I've gotten older I actually look forward to Pocono. The challenge of the different turns and the changing track seem to allow me to overlook much of the repetitive boring laps that do occur at most races and find enjoyment. It's not my favorite but I do look forward to it. I'm not sure if the track deserves2 dates each year but it is a good track with good racing and I think the drivers enjoy the challenge.

A good reason why I'm thankful for Racers Reunion.

General

My father in law has been battling colon cancer for a nearly 2 years now and doing very well. Today he is at Spartanburg Regional having test done so my wife and her family are there with him. After he was taken back my wife and in laws all headed to the family waitting room... for who knows how long. As they are sitting there David Pearson walks in and takes a seat. My wife spots him and tells her family who he is. They didn't know who he was. When she called me she said they had been there for some time and only one man recognized him and walked up and spoke. Is this possible? David Pearson, NASCAR Hall of Famer, in Spartanburg, in a crowded waiting room and he's not recognized??? This is why I'm thankful for Racers Reunion, for remembering and recognizing the famous and not so famous that made NASCAR the sport it is today.

Mr. Pearson may be thankful he wasn't recognized. Maybe he has too much on his mind and doesn't want to be bothered. Maybe the others in the waiting room were just being thoughtful and wanted to give him a little peace while he waited. Maybe so, I hope so. Seems odd to me that so many people just don't know or appreciate the impact that people like Mr. Pearson and many others had on this sport we all love. Seems to me that if they raced before Dale Earnhardt too many younger fans have no clue who they are or what they did. RR is doing it's part and I'm happy to be a part of it. Thanks to all.

Bumpertag

S. Carolina

updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

The Perfect Kyle Busch Gift

General

That would be cool! Have Richard serve him as well.

Should Richard Childress Be Punished for Punching Kyle Busch?

Current NASCAR

$150,000 is a joke.

Should Richard Childress Be Punished for Punching Kyle Busch?

Current NASCAR

If I remeber correctly, there were punches thrown at that race as well. LeRoy Yarbarough is believed to have punched Big Bill France just before the drivers walked off and loaded up to go home.

Billy Biscoe (arustyracer) said:

OK ! All you old timers..... ! Remember back to Talladega 1969 boycott and R/C drove his G-A Camaro in the GN race as a field filler to Big Bill demands.Big Bill Francetold all those drivers you have a get out of jail card from me anytime you need it.

This might be the timefor R/C toCASH it in....As to the punches thrown, I'm not surethey did any good? only time will tell ?

Hitting R/C with a monetary fine won't be as bad as deducting owners points from the overall years work.I for one am hoping the best for the whole RCR team,they deserve better. BB

Should Richard Childress Be Punished for Punching Kyle Busch?

Current NASCAR

Heard a FUNNY on the radio this morning. Said NASCAR was struggling with this. Said they were torn between punishing Richard or giving him an award because Kyle is such a pain in the A$# and he truely deserved what he got.