Forum Activity for @ernest-sutton

It's only 1.5 Million

General

I don't have any idea how this situation will play out. It's common knowledge that attendance has been falling off and TV ratings are declining for NASCAR racing. For years, it seems to me that the cost of NASCAR racing has continued to escalate............for as long as the deep-pocket sponsors continued to keep that money stream flowing. One observation I have had is that NASCAR has seemed to believe that the sponsorship stream would not only continue, but would just get larger and larger. Now we're seeing signs that that isn't necessarily the case............especially with declining TV ratings - sponsors don't like that and will tend to reduce their advertising budgets. Having said that, I believe that NASCAR could have been taking steps to reduce the cost of NASCAR racing............but, instead, seems to have been going in the opposite direction in many cases - revamping the fueling systems, COT, etc. What would happen if NASCAR prohibited wind tunnel testing, track testing, tire testing, etc. Why couldn't GoodYear hire their own drivers to test the tires instead of having Cup drivers do it? There has to be many ways to reduce the cost of racing which NASCAR has not initiated. Although I have always believed that true race fans would always pay the price of a ticket to be at the race tracks, maybe the escalated cost of living will cause NASCAR to take a real serious look at reducing the costs and not only passing those savings to the fans, but also making it less expensive for more race teams to get involved.

Intentional wrecking

General

I really don't have too much of a problem with the situation between Montoya and Newman - in fact, I saw tons ofsimilar racing on the dirt tracks before I ever laid eyes on a paved track. I suppose if I have any question mark in my mind, it is NASCAR's inconsistent reactions and decisions whenever an incident occurs. There have been other times in past races when a driver would be docked points and fined for similar actions. Personally, I agree with Tim's "have at it, boys", and when drivers have problems on the track, let them work it out. It'll get settled one way or another. If it gets too rough, the team owners will step in and settle it because torn up equipment eventully starts to run into some money. The main point I was trying to point out was NASCAR's inconsistencies.

Intentional wrecking

General

In last Saturday night's race at Richmond, Juan Pablo Montoya attempted to move into a space that wasn't quite open yet, brushed Ryan Newman's front end as he was moving right, and subsequently wound up hitting the wall. After his pit stop to repair the damage, he intentionally spins Ryan Newman and puts him into the wall. I would be interested in hearing opinions on recommended actions, or lack thereof,by NASCAR in situations where one driver intentionally wrecks another.
updated by @ernest-sutton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

The Other Side of NASCAR

General

After thinking about it a bit, I decided to add a little more to my response. I believe the best thing that could happen regarding the future of stock car racing would be for NASCAR to have some competition - starting in the southeast quadrant of the USA. Obviously, there are many things which would be necessary for this to happen.............the first of which, of course, is suitable race tracks. It would take lots of money and qualified leaders to get such a project off the ground, and it occurs to me that Bruton Smith might be in a position to seriouslyresearch such a project. After all, his relationship with NASCAR has, at times, been on somewhat shakey ground. I remember hearing a few years ago that Cale Yarborough and a group of individuals were, in fact, looking into just such an undertaking - don't know what caused those plans to derail. A second thought I had was the possibility of ARCA running more races in the SE quadrant. Again, this would require the availability of suitable race tracks and would, of course, kill ARCA's relationship with NASCAR. Again, the only person who comes to mind who might consider such would be Bruton Smith............with possible assistance from people like Roger Penske, Humpy Wheeler, and others. Anyway, those kinds of thoughts are intriguing as to possible cures for what is wrong with NASCAR.

The Other Side of NASCAR

General

I will limit my response to one short and simple statement:" I don't believe Brian France gets it."

ANOTHER NIGHT TO WALK THE CAT

Current NASCAR

I'm afraid I have to agree with you about DW, Tim, and don't know if you have the same opinion, but I pretty much have the same opinion of Larry Mac, too. I would think that two people who have spent as much time around race tracks as those two would be better at commentating............but I guess that what we are seeing is the best it will ever get. Now that's a sad thought. I wonder if their broadcasts have anything to do with the declining TV ratings.

2-Man Bobsled Racing

General

Dave Fulton said:

I actually switched over to a PBS broadcast during the Talladega race, something I have never done. And if Jimmie-boy didn't drop below the yellow line to advance his position, then my bifocals are worse than I thought. Then again, that yellow line rule is stupid.

Not only is it stupid............no one can get NASCAR to give a definitive interpretation of specifically what it means or how it is enforced. Pk posted an article regarding this very rule which is very interesting...............more NASCAR smoke and mirrors.

2-Man Bobsled Racing

General

Everyone loves close finishes.................but you make a very good point when you say "NASCAR keeps toying with stuff that was not broke to begin with". In my opinion, there was not a lot wrong with the old points system - maybe they could have tweaked it a bit by awarding bonus points for winning and/orleading the most laps. Those kinds of rewards encourage drivers to actually race and try to win races. Isn't that why we watch and love racing - to see which driver(s) can do the best? The so-called "improvements" (how's that for an oxymoron?) have done nothing to improve the sport or the enjoyment of the fans. The "Chase" is a joke, the "lucky dog" isn't fair, the "top 35" rule isn't right and discourages participation by lightly financed teams, the COT is a NASCAR-manufactured race car - many safety innovations could have been put in place without going to that extreme, the recent changes in the fueling procedures (what was wrong with the old system?). These unnecessay changes have done nothing much except cost the teams more money. All of these things have occurred during the reign of Brian France - I have to believe that neither is daddy or his granddaddy would have approved much of this stuff. As for the race tracks, NASCARhas mandated changes that has only made the racing worse (Bristol, Daytona, Talladega). Those 3 tracks used to be some of the best racing of the whole series - not anymore. As I have stated before,NASCAR could aerodynamically slow the cars down on the RP tracks sothat they could get rid of the restrictor plates. That would encourage much more innovation amongst the teams and reward themore-talented drivers. I believe all of this over-engineering by NASCAR has resulted in lower attendance numbers and declining TV ratings - maybe someone in that thinktankmight want to reconsider some of these brilliant decisions.

2-Man Bobsled Racing

General

There is something wrong with the picture when you have 88 lead changes at a track like Talladega. I'm not even sure what to call it or make of it, but it is certainly a far cry from what NASCAR racing used to be on these RP tracks. I'm not saying the pack racing was any better than the "2-man team' racing, but a recent NASCAR poll showed 75% of the responders disapproving of the most recent show. I don't even know what the answer is, but I believe it lies somewhere in the area of making the race cars a lot less aerodynamic.........thereby resulting in slower speeds and reduced quality handling characteristics. Maybe some changes in that area might also result in the drivers being unable to run "flat-out" at these tracks. My bottomline impression is that NASCAR has grossly over-engineered the sport............resulting in the "stock car" racing environment which we are witnessing today. Fortunately or unfortunately, dependingof point of view, I still remember the "good ole days" & I miss what the sport once was. I also understand there is no going back............but I do believe there are several things NASCAR could do to improve the picture.

2-Man Bobsled Racing

General



Bumpertag said:

I loved the racing. I don't see how a "Race Fan" could not like the racing at Dega. 88 lead changes and lots of passing. This is so much better than the Pack racing from a few years ago. The closing rate made for great racing and a guess who would make it to the line first. My guess is that if Jr would have won it would have been OK. He never said that he would push Johnson to the win. They did agree to work together and take turns in the lead. Jr was the one that told Johnson the the 2 cars were faster with Johnson in the lead. Johnson ask JR in the last few laps if he wanted him to leave him room as they came to the flag but Jr said no. If the Johnson/Earnhardt tandum had gotten away from the others I'm sure Jr would have made a move, he didn'tgetthat chance.

I loved it and the racing was great. This is as close to single car racing as we are gonna get and I can handle that. Don't put them all in one pack, 3 and 4 wide with no room to pass and call it a race. That was a waste.