Sink or swim.
Stock Car Racing History
I've openly championed that the event should be dropped. (Not sure I can refer to it as a "race".) The original idea was a good one, and I think the buzz from those first few years helped lift Cup along with other aspects that increased its popularity. But I can count on 1 hand the number of memorable events: DW's blown engine in the 1st one, the Pass in the Grass, One Hot Night, and perhaps Michael Waltrip's popular win in the Wood Brothers 21. Otherwise, they've pretty well been duds.
Having said that - I went last weekend anyway. It was my 1st ever (and my last) All Star event. I'll blog more about it later, but I went for 4 reasons:
- I can't make it to the 600 this year, but I still wanted to spend tailgating time with friends.
- I'd never been to one of these events, and I figured I'd cross it off my list this go-round.
- I got the chance to visit Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville for the first time and THOROUGHLY enjoyed the visit. LOTS of RacersReunion.com material noticed as well.
- Closely related to the 1st one: Schaefer and lobsters.
With that said, I've come to the realization NASCAR, Sprint, the teams, FOX, SMI and ISC really don't care what I think. I'm not on any fan council. I haven't emailed or tweeted them my thoughts. And I really don't believe it would matter if I did. Some have suggested rotating the race to different tracks. Whatever. All bluster. Won't happen. There is too much easy gravy to be made by everyone by keeping the race on the schedule and right where it is.
But if they're going to keep it in Charlotte and keep the format roughly the same, they really need to do something dramatic to mix it up. How about if Sprint and NASCAR put their money where their mouth is. Have an IROC type of race. Contract with someone like Robby Gordon, Dave Marcis, Donnie Allison, Joey Arrington, etc. to build a fleet of seemingly identical cars. Leave off the decals of the manufacturers and sponsors. Draw numbers from two hats to see (1) which car you get and (2) where you'll start. Only then will the team be allowed to apply a number and a couple of primary sponsor decals. Showcase the DRIVERS.
As for the "mandatory" pit stop, no more. The crewman and the decisions made by the crew chief week to week are invaluable - but not in this instance. Require a mandatory stop for tires or whatever. But do it under a caution and reset the field in the order they came down pit road.
With no pit strategy in play, drivers in someone else's cars, and limited risk of a team screwing around with the car, I think the drivers might be more willing to go all out for the win vs. preserving a car, earning a soft purse, and retreating to the comfort of their motor homes.
I just don't see any hunger from 80-90% of the drivers anymore. In the past, many had the hunger of a racing greyhound chasing after a fake rabbit.
But my proposal is 2nd only to my original idea of getting rid of the thing. Either give the teams a much needed week off before the summer grind begins or add another points-paying race to the schedule.
