What to make of the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
Current NASCAR
The thing is..........those school-bus driving, blue-collar fans built NASCAR.
Forum Activity for @bobby-williamson
Current NASCAR
What to make of the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
Current NASCAR
Another philosophical issue may be in play here too........perhaps from day one, NASCAR has been all about big money. If this wasn't true, early on, this concept is totally and completely embraced now. NASCAR does not want any start-up, pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps, Alan Kulwicki- type stories any more. The top levels are the private domain a few select individuals. No Carl Long's, please, or the blue collar school-bus-driving-fans either. IRP was too "school-bussy", the Speedway is far more exclusive AND expensive. Perfect. We are seeing the end game now. Not pretty, and may be too far down the path to correct. We'll see.
What to make of the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
Current NASCAR
Remember IndianapolisRaceway Park.....that, always a bright spot on the Nationwide schedule? The marketing PR machine decided in 2013 the Nationwide carsneededto be at the Speedway, thus killing two birds with the same stone!
What to make of the NASCAR Nationwide Series?
Current NASCAR
Patrick, I agree. Today's Jack Ingram does not exist, and hasn't for years. The Nationwide topic is just one of many fundamental NASCAR problems. Maybe it began with RJR's exit from the sport, when the Saturday night tracks were tossed. At any rate, it's a problem that's been brewing for years, and like most basic NASCAR problems, it's only been given lip service, with a half-way catchy PR assault......."NASCAR home tracks........" (Bowman Gray notwithstanding, it's difficult to find a healthy NASCAR "home track"). Incredibly, NASCAR has allowed a rare bright spot, and boost of NEW enthusiasm to wither and fallow, with the apparent demise of Rockingham.
You are correct, time marches on, fans age, and in the case of NASCAR, new and younger fans have not been cultivated to fill the void. It a'int rocket science, but with a weak Saturday night audience, the top tier programs will suffer accordingly. And, like Christianity, a following can be lost in one generation. Could very well be the NASCAR-type short track racing has passed its prime. It was all somewhat new in the 1970's and '80's when the Iron-man and Sam Ard were battling all over. The very subject pales in comparison to some of today's motor sport alternatives..........mud bogging, stadium trucks, monster trucks, dirt late models, and sprint cars, just to name a few examples. Importantly, all these sports have heroes.....Scott Bloomquist, Steve Kinser, the Grave Digger, etc. the NASCAR "wow" factor is missing, except for the moon-lighting Cup drives, and likely can't be recaptured. Cars parading, single file, for 200 laps, on a half-mile paved track, just don't cut the mustard like it once did.
It's a very big problem, NATIONWIDE, is just Saturday racing for Cup teams. It has no heroes of it's own, no identity, and no place for a Jack Ingram. It's future will require some very focused and sensible attention. Window dressing and PR tricks have about run their course.
TMC Chase, our own History Minute Guru, honored by special invitation.
Administrative
Congratulations Chase!
"The Most Dangerous Thing I've Ever Done In Racing"....
Current NASCAR
Brian Vickers offered that assessment of NASCAR's new made-for-TV Knock-Out qualifying system. Cars cooling their engines between speed runs must idle around the speedway, while others, at speed, are whizzing by at a 140 mph speed differential............
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/03/07/nascar-drivers-say-new-knockout-qualifying-format-is-dangerous/6190953/
LAS VEGAS -- NASCAR's new knockout qualifying format has been universally hailed as more exciting and interesting than the old single-car system.
But for the second week in a row, drivers also said it's extremely dangerous. Since the only legal way for teams to cool their cars is to drive slowly around the track, there's a dramatic speed difference between drivers making qualifying runs and those driving as if they're in a construction zone.
"Riding around the bottom we've got to do it, it's the only way to keep the engine cool but that has got to be the most dangerous thing I've ever done in racing," Brian Vickers said after Friday's session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "(Reed Sorenson) went by me at 170 mph faster than I was going. Had he slipped or hit me, I'd be done. It would be so bad."
QUALIFYING: Penske takes front row
Joey Logano won the pole and teammate Brad Keselowski completed the front row for Team Penske the second consecutive week for a Penske sweep after Keselowski captured the top spot at Phoenix International Raceway.
But the talk after Friday's qualifying centered around a safety issue which NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the sanctioning body is still evaluating.
Teams need to cool their engines between attempts at fast laps in order to keep their cars from overheating.
KYLE BUSCH IN VEGAS: Not feeling hometown love
Teams are not allowed to cool their cars on pit road in between runs because it would require opening the hood to attach a cooling box. NASCAR does not want teams to make adjustments on pit road during the knockout sessions and since policing every open hood would be difficult, it is not permitted.
As a result, the disparity in speed created some dicey situations several of which occurred again Friday.
Clint Bowyer, who qualified third, said he nearly collided with Dale Earnhardt Jr. during one run and called for a change due to the "dangerous" difference in speed.
"We've got to stop that," he said. " I about smoked him. That's not the guy you want to hit at a 140 mph deficit. (A collision is) going to hurt me and it might hurt Dale Jr., and that would be bad for business."
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Bowling Green Speedway Ghost Track News Story with 1950s Stock Car Photos - York Co., Pa.
Stock Car Racing History
The Bowling Green Speedway exemplifies so many classic ghost-track traits.......it was built in the name of revenge, in the neighborhood of an existing speedway, instantly dividing the market. Enjoyed tremendous, yet quick-lived success. Neighbors complained about the noise. Track closed resulting from no purse money, and the bill collectors at the door. Among the obvious questions........when those 8000 fans were routinely in the stands, where did the revenue go?
I regret to inform you...
General
The various "uncle BS"...Tim's uncle Binford Smith Wilson, are a riot too.