If I go by the some of what I see on the Web, I might be inclined to think that NASCAR has one foot in the grave, and another on a banana peel. “The racing stinks,” “What is Toyota doing in NASCAR,” The drivers are robots,” “The France family is ruining everything.” You’ve read them time and time again.
Maybe I just don’t get it. This is my third season as a real bona fide member of NASCAR Nation and I guess I just see something differently. Perhaps I’ve just stood too close to the tail pipe, or someone slipped some real funky axle grease in my caramel macchiato, but I’ve seen enough good to really like today’s NASCAR.
During the span of time my family and I have taken in EVERY Cup race on the schedule- we’ve seen the side-by-side drag race of Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin in the Daytona 500, another dramatic romp to the finish line by Jamie Mc Murray and Kyle Busch at Daytona, and a little clever fuel strategy by Casey Mears to win the Coca- Cola 600.
“Well, that’s pre-CoT,” you might say. Yes- the racing has been a bit uneven the last season-plus since the new car came in full time- but let’s take a closer look. I thought last Fall’s Talladega race, with it’s multiple lead changes and a dramatic win for Tony Stewart in his swan song for Joe Gibbs was pretty darn good race. I also thought the battle at Bristol between Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards made for pretty good entertainment, and cautions aside, I actually thought the drama that played out last week at Las Vegas was pretty darn good.
It will take time, but the mechanical minds on the case of this new car will get a handle on it. And that brings me to another thing- the desire to go back to the old car. You know, the “what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday” deal. I got news for you folks- the predecessor to the “CoT” wasn’t anything you were going to find on the showroom floor either. Those days passed a long time ago. Somehow watching a bunch of guys turn laps in a “stock” Ford or Chevy really doesn’t do it for me. Besides, a key component to the new car is the safety.
Going back to the days where we were averaging multiple deaths on the track is not something I really want to go back to. Seeing 3 or 4 cars on the lead lap at the checkered flag doesn’t do it for me either.
Now let’s talk about this personality business. There’s a little something for everybody if you get to know who these guys are. You want attitude? There’s the tempestuous Tony Stewart, the intense Kevin Harvick and the unpredictable Kyle Busch. I get a kick out of watching him win just to see what we’ll do next- whether it be his trademark bow, the kissing of the pavement on his home track, or the mock shedding of tears. You want a poised veteran who lets his driving do the talking? I present you Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin. Are you into California cool? There’s Jimmie and Jeff. A rougher hewn hero? How about Dale Jr. or Robby Gordon? If you’re from the East- you have Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. to root for. Midwesterners can get behind Ryan Newman or Matt Kenseth. The south is represented mightily by Jeff Burton and Denny Hamlin. Even the Northwest has Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne to root for.
You see, it’s as much about the personalities as it is the race itself. Besides, it’s more than just a race- it’s an event. An experience. The camps, the bus trips, the tailgate parties and gatherings in living rooms across the country. Even if the racing’s not great- the company is.
They’re still gathering folks- Daytona sold out, Vegas had a good crowd, and though California was a bit of an embarrassment it wasn’t as bad as some predicted. Declining TV ratings? That’s another story for another time- but don’t get sucked into that argument. Take it from a guy with 15 years’ experience with advertising sales. The ratings need a great deal of interpretation and NASCAR is kicking butt on the competition. Chat rooms, message boards and NASCAR-related websites are everywhere! Jayski’s, From The Marbles, Rowdy.com, Daily Planet and scores more are bustling with traffic.
The fact that you critics still around complaining about it tells me you’re still watching. So either you’re really still a fan, care enough to want to try to change it, or you’re nuts. Personally- I’d go with the first two.
Before I was a player, before I was an observer and chronicler, I was a fan. I’m a fan- and I’m not ashamed to say it.
You may disagree and that’s your prerogative. But as for me, I happen to enjoy today’s NASCAR. Could it be better? Everything could be better. I’ll still take this over a lot of the other stuff I cover on a daily basis.
{ 31 comments }
Actually, this is something I have written columns regarding for other sites. The reason we are still watching NASCAR is in the desperate hope that the racing will get better. I think the mechanics have about as good of a hand on it as they ever will, but the car design itself limits creativity in the race shop and garage area, and has truly diminished much of the passing we love to see during the course of a race.
The responses I am receiving to my articles are much in the opinion of non bloggers I correspond stating they would love to see a return to old school type NASCAR. That does not mean with the old design of the cars and such, but some grit, some guts, and yes, the occasional fight between drivers. NASCAR is sterilizing itself, but as long as we have drivers like Tony Stewart, there is a beam of sun shining through the clouds. I am a fan, that is why I still watch, yet I hope the quality of racing gets better soon before even more seats become vacant and show up as grey spots on television. I was at Daytona, I know there are a lot fewer people attending races.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Yes…I think tour standing too close to the tail pipe.
You’re still a NA$CAR baby who is like a baby who thinks baby food is good because you have never tasted anything else. Once you taste steak, you don’t like baby food any more. Many of us old fans tasted steak many years ago and don’t like the current baby food. We watch the current racing only because the old days are gone and there is nothing else.
Modern racing is closer racing than in the old days because it is manipulated that way with “debris” cautions, “competition” yellows, “lucky dogs” and efforts to help chosen drivers.
It’s hard from going from watching a honest fight to professional wrestling.
@sobrairk. OK. Why? All you’ve established is that you think I’m crazy. You have company.
@Ken. I’ll give your commentary credit because at least you take a moment to support it. But I’ll say this much- thanks to video, I’ve seen a lot of the old races. Case in point- the 1998 Daytona 500. The racing itself wasn;t that unique, just WHO won it. Again- a case where personality comes into play. In your case, I’m concerned you’ll be in for a long wait. Between being a fan and a sportscaster, I’ve been around for 30 years. Things NEVER go back to what they were.
Jim, overall I agree with your take on Nascar. There are a few things I would change but the only major one is I really do not like Toyota in Nascar. Other than that I do like the safety of the COT. I do like morer than 3 or 4 cars on the lead lap and as far as drivers go, do we really want the criminals and suposed “personality” of athletes in other sports? I think not. Give me Bobby, Jeff, Jimmie, Carl, Matt and JR. everytime over guys like T.O. and Plaxico Burress. Good article. I am with ya!!
@Joe. The Toyota debate will be interesting one to tackle, and I will be interested to discuss that. With that said, I say “amen” when comparing the personalities of NASCAR versus that of other sports. Thanks for chiming in.
Thanks Jim. O.K. here goes on the Toyota thing. I have been around racing and cars in general all my life. It was the “bonding” thing my Dad and I did. He always had cars around. Race cars, street cars and cars of all makes. I drove some of everything, but my favorites were the Ford and Chevy V8s. My Dad had Toyotas and Datsuns too and they were mostyly, … well to put it nicely, garbage. I know there quality is much better now, but then they really were rust buckets. He also had VWs and a sweet Audi. I loved the Audi but I would not want to see Audi in Nascar either. Now back on point, I do consider myself and “old school fan”. I like some of the changes as mentioned above. They make the sport safer and more competitive. But Nascar was built on the big three and the V8 engines they ran. The Toyota engine is a strickly race built engine that NEVER appeared in a Toyota vehichle. They have never built a rear drive V8 car that I know of. I do not care about the money they bring because frankly with this economy that is in question. This is one area I would like to see stay the way it was. I do not see Toyota as part of what made Nascar grow. Look at the series it has gone to. The Goodys Dash series is now gone and the Trucks are in bad shape. I do not want to watch a race where only one manufacturer has a chance and the Truck series is going that way. Look at what Honda has done to the IRL. It is boring with only one engine. My Dad and I raced dirt tracks and paved tracks and I even drove the paved ones. We always did it in a Chevy or a Ford. That is my take. Thanks for listening, or reading as the case may be.
Ok I will chime in. The Ford Fusion is built in a plant in Mexico. The Chevy Impala is built in a plant in Canada. The Toyota Camry is built in a plant in Kentucky. The lines defining a foreign car have gone from black to, at best gray, years ago. Could someone please define what a foreign car is and what an American car is. Many parts in American assembled cars are manufactured overseas. Anyone is welcome to be a fan of whatever they want. But I agree with Toyota being here.
We have evolved to a global economy. Now when we ship too much business overseas it hurts the U.S. economy. Not enough overseas business also hurts the U.S. economy. We need a balance. But this is a racing site, not politics, so I won’t climb on a soapbox.
There are aspects of the past I miss. But I really wouldn’t want to go back. I have been a fan since 1976. Those old cars at these speeds could possibly result in more injuries or worse.
In 1981 the Winston Cup Series changed all the cars and went to shorter wheelbases. That took a time of adjustment and evolution and it continued for twenty six years until the COT was mandated. I want to give this car more time to produce better racing. I remember plenty for both poor and exciting races with the previous car as well.
Have anybody seen a thrilling Super Bowl? How about a boring one? That’s sports. Auto racing is no different.
I am glad we have a mix personalities like Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. That to me is part of the fun. Like car makes, cheer and boo for who you want. This is the United States. That is why ice cream parlors do not just carry vanilla for a flavor.
I do not want to going back to having 8-10 races a year on TV, delayed a week or two, and sharing Wide World of Sports airtime with sumo wrestling, and floor gymnastics. NO LIE! That was how it was.
Thanks everyone for reading the site and giving your opinion.
O.K. Patrick, when did Toyota EVER build a rear wheel drive V8 car? Somebody please answer this question. I am not talking politics and will not. It is not a political issue for me. It is about keeping something from the past and heritage of the sport. I know what the series used to be like. I watched the Daytona 500 in 1979 and I know it was the 1st flag to flag coverage. I do not need a history lesson from you. Although I like history much better than politics and the history of Nascar does not include Toyota. And please answer my question about the Goody’s dash series and now the trucks. Toyota comes in spends lots of money and leaves a series ruined. That is the history of Toyota in Nascar. And that is all I have to say about that.
@ Patrick. Thanks for your perspective on this.
@ Joe. Don’t get me wrong on this. I appreciate your love of the NASCAR history, and time was, coming from a Ford family, I would have been right there with ya- but as time has gone on, my opninion has changed concerning Toyota. I guess my question deals with your contention that Toyota has ruined the CWTS. IMO- it seems competitive among the manufacturers as Hornaday (Chevy), Busch (Toyota), and the Fords are all competitive as far as I can see. I’d also add this: I think that as long as fans such as yourself are standing strong for the old “Big 3″- they’ll never go away.
Hey Joe W…Chevy, Ford, AND Toyota do NOT make a rear-wheel drive model of the car that’s represented on the track. So, stop asking for something that doesn’t exist. At least the Dodge charger is correct.
And, please stop with the “It ain’t what NASCAR is about” crap! What NASCAR is about is selling us to them. and they’re very successful at it. Like all sports, it evolves. If You don’t want to evolve with it, Fine! Go find that race you want to watch, and SHUT UP! We evolvers want to see what’s happening in the world of NASCAR that is put in front of us.
So, here the story: NASCAR santions races of cars built to specification, on track scheduled at the beginning of the year. These races consist cars with drivers hired by the car owners, sponsored by businesses with ads to sell. NONE of this yours to change. thus, NONE of this is yours to bitch about.
The races are a performance. Does NASCAR perform? Do the drivers perform passing and racing in a satisfactory manner? THAT’s what you can bitch about. That’s what a NASCAR fan has a hand in changing.
What I want to tell all of the negative gainsayers to Stop it! NASCAR is fine, Racing is fine (even California), and there’s NOTHING to change that won’t wait until the sport (Officials, Owners, and Drivers) see a need to change it. they put these races on to race (Yes, it’s got sponsors in it, but that’s the business, not the sport). They race to win trophies. If you like to watch them race, then the model works. If you don’t, you need to go find something yu do like, and Shut-up!
/Secure from rant
//carry on
Yes Jim the Fords are all competive in the Trucks but there are only three of them in the series. One big one and they can all be taken out. I just see the numbers being against anyone other than a Toyota being able to win the Championship, but believe me I am rooting for all the Ford and Chevy drivers in the CWTS. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on this one. No matter, I still enjoy your columns. Enjoy the racing this weekend!
Well Mik, you still did not answer my questions. I guess any civil debate is not happening with you. That is fine. I love your “if you don’t like it shut up and leave” thinking. You know alot of folks are doing just that. I am not one of those however. I will still be here as long as there are Fords, Chevys, and Dodges to root for. You can not get rid of me that easy. As I said I LIKE most of the changes. So once again I will agree to disagree with you. Have a pleasent day.
# 3 Ken Says:
March 6th, 2009 at 5:29 am
You’re still a NA$CAR baby who is like a baby who thinks baby food is good because you have never tasted anything else. Once you taste steak, you don’t like baby food any more. Many of us old fans tasted steak many years ago and don’t like the current baby food. We watch the current racing only because the old days are gone and there is nothing else.
Modern racing is closer racing than in the old days because it is manipulated that way with “debris” cautions, “competition” yellows, “lucky dogs” and efforts to help chosen drivers.
It’s hard from going from watching a honest fight to professional wrestling.
—————————
AMEN Brother!!!
Toyota builds rear wheel drive V-8’s … they’re call Lexus cars.
Toyota built a rear wheel drive twin turbo 6 Supra in the early 90’s…it didn’t need a V-8 to kick a Chevy’s rear end. I blew away many american muscle cars in my rice burner. Nascar need to go back to production based cars…if you can’t buy it in a showroom…you can’t run it…end of story.
Joe W
If we were able to go back, we could not pick and choose which details and which time frame we want to bring to 2009. If we want to live our sport full of its rich history then we have to take all or nothing. The big three did help make it what it is now. They also pulled their support for a time being. We can’t ignore that part of history also.
I wouldn’t like to bring the sport back to where 18 cars showed up at a half mile dirt track for $2000 to win. No TV network would be televising it. That is also part of the history that made this the great sport that it is. What is vital in deleloping what we see in 2009? Absolutely. Do I want to go back to it? No.
If we go back we have to take everything the way it was. Not just some things. We can’t go back. I would love to be sixteen again and have another crack at everything. Everyone would.
How did Toyota ruin the Goody’s Dash Series? How are they ruining the Truck Series? We are lucky they are in the Truck Series. The other makes reduction in support have nothing to do with Toyota. That is all within their own companies.
And in my opinion IRL racing is good. I am a big fan. It has nothing to do with all Honda engines. In that type of racing nobody even knows what make is under which bonnet. Without a decal we couldn’t tell one make from another. Those cars put on a breathtaking race at Texas.
Conclusion: I enjoy a good civil debate too. Thank you for reading the site and posting your opinions. I hope you enjoy the races this weekend also.
Well Patrick you are right about wanting to be younger but I think 25 was a better age than 16 for me. The Goodys Dash series does not exist now, so that is how it was ruined. As for the trucks, Toyota spends so much the others can’t keep up in this economy. So like I said before we will agree to disagree. Have a great weekend and enjoy the races!
This article is so spot on. We have a great sport with great people in it and, for the most part, great fans. The negativity I read on these boards is sickening. You must have a really bad life if these constant tirades are all you can come up with. Let’s build this sport up, not tear it down. I guarantee most of the gripers would be sick if this sport just vanished. I know I certainly would be. The selective memory is what I like. They go back to the same 3 or 4 races from the archives and say how great the racing was 15, 20, 30 years ago. I guess they forget about all the races that Petty or Pearson or Allison or Baker won about 6 laps ahead. Things change people, IT IS LIFE!!! I think NASCAR has been great this year with lots of surprises and good stories. Please, people, let’s focus on Bobby Labonte, David Reutimann, AJ Allmendinger, Jeremy Mayfield and the great things that are going on right now. The rest of the world is depressing enough right now, NASCAR is the perfect cure.
Oh, I get it…Dale Junior isn’t winning so everyone hates it. If he starts winning big again, I bet we will hear a different tune…
I like him too but the sport is about way more than just the #88..
Super article. I get really tired of the alleged experts with the major media outlets always emphasizing the negative. NASCAR racing is not perfect, but it sure beats what is second and it has always improved after each major change. As I recall Ironhead, of whom I was a big fan, made it sound like the end of the world was close when NASCAR went to radial tires.
As to Toyota, there is only one way to beat them – let them in the race.
Well I am a Dale Jr. fan, and my opinion is completelyseparated from your post Tracy. I would like to see Joe Nemechek, Travis Kvapil, Paul Menard, and Regan Smith win a race now and then. How cool would it be to not have so many repeat winners in a season?
Hey Jim, just read this. Being as I am old school, I have to agree with you. Everything has to evolve or be die. The old school NASCAR racing was lost many years back. We can’t go back and we can’t change progress. The new style of racing, the COT, and everything else in todays NASCAR is fine. There is still lots of great racing, one just has to be willing to change with the times and search for that ultimate thing they like about racing.
Without change, we stagnate. We all know that no one likes change but chnage is part of progress and evolution. I’ve seen many changes over the past 40 plus years. Some I didn’t care for, others I did. Go back to the ’60s; where are the old 45 lp records, the 8-track tapes, the cassette tapes, the old tube-type radios, the prices of days long past? Gone….and why? Progress and evolution!
So what I say, is if you don’t like the racing as it is today or can’t handle change….go find something else to keep yourselves occupied…..I’ll continue to watch MY NASCAR racing and enjoy it the best I can. Here’s something I posted at NASCAR NATION to give some thought to. It was written by Steve McCormick and posted on about.com. Agree or disagree, it’s worth reading.
Real NASCAR Fans:
never cheer a wreck
respect all drivers
help others to appreciate NASCAR
understand that NASCAR existed long before their favorite driver was in it
never leave the race early (without a darn good reason)
learn about NASCAR history
appreciate a good race even if their favorite driver is not in it
are from all walks of life and all geographic areas
often enjoy other types of motorsport
know who “The King” is
are friendly
are passionate
may or may not have ever been to a live race
never throw anything on the track
In short, are you an ambassador for the sport, willing to learn more about NASCAR and trying to set a good example for us all? If so then you are a “real NASCAR fan.”
My question is: How many fans fit this explanation? My Answer: not many.
Sorry, I cheer for a wreck every now and then lol
@Joe W.
@Tracy
@Bob
@Patrick
@Jerm
@Richard- All of you have good things to say on one point or another. I like this conversation we’re having here. Reminds me of the old debates my uncle (a staunch Republican) and my Dad (an old South Blue Doe Democrat until Reagan) used to have. You could disagree, but not be hateful and know at the end of the day the first and foremost, you were Americans. First and foremost, in this context, we’re all race fans. We care about our sport and there’s some aspects of it I hope NEVER change. What I like however, is we’re not getting all hateful like some bloggers I see that are real nasty. Thank you all for chiming in. This is hwat I had evisioned for THIS blog. An almost talk-radio style discussion among fans with me as the host, although I should mention by way of disclosure that all you regulars already know “Jerm” (Jeremy from Jerm’s Racing Pub) and Patrick (Bench Racing- weekly feature.
God bless you all and enjoy the race.
Yes you’re missing something.
It’s called PERSPECTIVE. Learned all that about NASCAR in 3 years eh?
Come back in 20 minimum or more like 30+ years as a fan and then tell me what is NOT WRONG with NASCAR.
@JustMe. Some take that long and longer and still don’t get it. 3 years, 30 years- it’s just a number in my book. I said I’ve been a serious NASCAR fan for 3 years, but the fact is- I’ve been covering ALL sports on and off for 20 years, and in 30 years of being a fan, I also took in some NASCAR, but not to near the degree I do today. I’ve seen AJ Foyt, D.W., The King and Cale Yarborough on the track. I didn’t have the perspective then that I do now. I’ll grant you that. I’ve also spent my share of time listening to those who’ve been around longer and whose opinions I respect. You might be suprised to know I find just as many who are enthusiastic backers of the sport today as they were then.
I also have the perspective of someone who has watched ALL sports change in the last 30 years. My NASCAR resume may be short, but I understand perspectuve. Watching the same 3-4 guys set sail on the field every week is not my idea of superior racing.My line of work has taught me where to look for information and how to be a quick study.
Hey- if you think I’m an idiot, you’re not the first. I understand that by making my opinions public, I open myself up for criticism. You have your opinion and you’re entitled to it. Thanks for weighing in.
Believe me that a thrilling finish does not make for a “good race”, how about the entire race be thrilling, not just the end of it?
“Going back to the days where we were averaging multiple deaths on the track is not something I really want to go back to.”
You make it sound like NASCAR was averaging multiple deaths every year, which by the way, is how you come up with an average. So please, show me the stats to prove multiple drivers died every year to come up with your average, and I’ll take the rest of your column with more than a grain of salt.
@ Old Hand.OK. I’ll play along. First- let me be clear that I did not state that there were multiple track deaths PER YEAR. Looking over history, I think you’ll agree that deaths on the track tended to come in bunches….
In 1964, Joe Weatherly and Fireball Roberts within 6 months of each other. Besides the dying, we had cars going over embankments and numerous preventable incidents.
In the mid-60’s, Don Mac Tavish died a particularly gruesome death at Daytona.
In the early 70s- Friday Hassler, Tiny Lund and Larry Smith died on Super Speedways.
In the early 80s- Ricky Knotts, Bruce Jacobi and Terry Schoonover died.
Let’s not forget Rick Baldwin in the mid-80’s, plus Richie Evans, Charlie Jarzombek and Corkie Cookman from the NASCAR Modified Series. Are their lives worth less than the Cup drivers?
Then a couple of years later- there was Grant Adcox, and J.D. Mc Duffie after that. Clifford Allision after that. Niel Bonnett, Rodney Orr, John Nemechek in the Truck Series and Kenny Minter in the Modifieds.
Later- we lost Kenny Irwin, Adam Petty, Tony Roper and Dale Earnhardt.
This is to say nothing of the ARCA drivers who have died…or the drivers who didn’t die but were seriously injured: Ernie Irvan, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip has serious scrapes.
Even we just limit it to Cup racing…the number of injuries and deaths on the track were enough to warrant the appropriate safety measures.
You may be under the mistaken impression I do not respect the “old school” fan- which is what your user name may seem to suggest. Far from it. I am willing to hear out your point of view, and mine is not beyond change. Perhaps you read my series in late December, early January about Dale Earnhardt. I used to loathe Earnhardt at one point. My point of view changed as I took in more and more observation and stories about the man.
By the same token- I ask for the consideration of not being taken for a fool. By your remarks, I might be inclined to dismiss you in a derogatory manner- but I do not. You’re welcome to your opinion, and I appreciate the discussion.
Enjoy the race tomorrow.
It’s certainly nice to see reasoned debate rather than venom and hate about each other and not the top. Thanks for that everyone!
Oops! I meant topic!
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