You’ll excuse me if I take it just a bit personally when I hear fans slamming Auto Club Speedway. I keep hearing time and time again how Californians aren’t good NASCAR fans, how the track sucks and how the second date in Fontana (my original home town) should go to somebody else.
The recently concluded Pepsi 500 offers a rebuttal- a sign of how it can be if you run the race in southern California at the right time of year at the right time of day. There will be a cast of usual suspects who will disagree. Admittedly, it doesn’t quite have that weird, wild card feel of a plate track, and there’s not the tight-quarter fender banging of one of the classic short tracks, but come on! I defy anyone to say that this wasn’t one of the better races of 2009.
I always hear there’s no lead changes here. This race had lead changes. Jimmie Johnson took the lead from pole sitter Denny Hamlin on lap 12, Juan Pablo Montoya took the lead from Johnson, Montoya, Hamlin took the front spot from Kevin Harvick. Mark Martin also had the the lead for a brief run, Johnson got it back, and that’s just the first part of the race.
They say timing is everything, and maybe the powers that be are starting to get it. The ambient temperature wasn’t overly hot, there wasn’t a threat of rain (a good thing in October) and there’s no NFL to compete with on Sunday in this market, plus no competition in this market from the beloved Trojans and Bruins.
Others have said it, and I concur: a lot of the venom aimed at Auto Club Speedway comes from scheduling changes made years ago, when the Labor Day weekend race was moved from Darlington to here. That was a dumb move. It tells me how clueless decision-makers were about southern California just before the onset of Autumn. At least they finally wised up on that one and moved it to October, a far better time and season for everyone concerned.
Oh, while I’m in a somewhat fiery mood, all you people who whine about the race coverage should be happy with what you got on this occasion. Non-chasers Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Casey Mears and David Ragan ALL got more than a cursory mention. It’s a real simple formula folks…no one gives two hoots about who finished 32nd. If you spend some time running a good race, you will get noticed. End of story. I’m just sayin’.
I understand full well that the race won (again) by Jimmie Johnson will not go down in the annals of NASCAR history as a classic. By the same token, this was easily one of the better races of this season and a lot better than what I’ve seen in other places that get far less criticism.
Time will tell whether this race was the beginning of a new trend in NASCAR Chase racing, or if it was just a mirage. It certainly merits another look, perhaps with a little less complaining, when the date approaches in 2010.
Considering the breadth of the southern California, I believe if a good product is put on the track, that the market will support it. The likes of Robby Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, among a whole host of other California drivers are living proof that not everyone in SoCal is a tofu eating surfer dude.
Now….if we can just do something about that first California date.
{ 32 comments }
I was at the race, and I just want to say thank you for being one of the few (only?) people in the media to say something good about Auto Club Speedway and the race on Sunday. Its much appreciated.
@Kevin. Thanks. It’s good to know I’m not out on this limb by myself, but it’s a real opinion. I think the race was actually a good one and I felt SOMEONE needed to say it.
As usual, you ignore all the fake debris that NASCAR used to throw the caution flag to create some fake drama.
@Mike. It was reported by ABC/ESPN that a water bottle on the track was the caue of the last debris caution. Was it fake?
Another clueless race at a clueless track that exists in an area that doesn’t give a hoot in hell about the racing. Fifty percent attendance at a track that seats 92,100 is pathetic…why do you suppose Bristol and Martinsville and Richmond draw so well in such rural environements…perhaps because the racing is good and the fans are better.
@Larry. As a West Coaster, I am insulted by by your comment. Come out here, and you may be surprised at what you find.
A water bottle is not sufficient reason to throw the caution flag. In fact, I’ve seen in car footage of the drivers throwing water bottles out the window during a caution.
As usual, a snoozer of a race, only highlighted by fake cautions. I told the people watching it with me (the ones who were still awake), that as soon as Smoke pitted, that the caution would fly and bunch them up for some restarts. And he didint even get off pit road, before the imaginary caution flew. Awful. Lets move at least one race from this boredom track. I watched the last bit of ARCA race from Rockingham last nite, I had forgot what a gem of a track it was. Lot better racing.
@LAY. Inm this race, we had 29 lead changes (several on the track & not on pit road only), racers in multiple grooves, we had wrecks, good story lines, and the race was boring? What, in your opinion, makes a good race?
@mikem. Hitting a water bottle at 180-200 mph is no big deal? How?
In defense of the Inland Empire, California’s deficit is over 16 Billion dollars and home foreclosures are at 1300 per day. With so many people struggling to survive, purchasing race tickets is very low on the to-do list.
However the race will not be confused with a Bristol or Martinsville for on track action. The final debris caution was reported to be a water bottle and ABC showed a large black chunk on the backstretch that looked like a pile of tire rubber. Err on the side of safety? Always. Is it convenient that it happens with 15 laps to go? Yes.
A restart with 10 laps to go is exciting. “Let’s bunch everyone up and have a shootout.” Kind of like the Chase format. “Let’s bunch everyone up and have a shootout.” Hey, I typed the exact same words again. When it happens legimately people cry foul. If it happens often enough when the leader has an insurmountable lead, fans’ will question NASCAR’s credibility.
Sunday’s race shows we can all watch the same thing but not all see the same thing.
You hit the nail on the head with this article. As for Larry and Lay and those like them, they are just the typical ignorant, uneducated fools that have all day to sit on hold and call in to Sirius radio and spout the same trash. So let me get this right: The economy sucks, so every track except California gets and excuse for empty seats? And exactly HOW do empty seats affect the race? I have yet to hear one of these fools state a valid reason that a seat without a butt in it makes the race worse. It’s because they can’t come up with one.
You must be joking. That race is worse than watching grass grow.
@Ginger. What makes a good race? Want lead changes? There were lead changes. Want wrecks? We had wrecks. Want side-by-side racing? We had that.
Dont blame the economy totally. The poorest nation in the nation (AL) will have 100,000+ in a few weeks. And their renewal rate is probably in the 90% range. Granted, this race wasn’t as boring as usual, but on its best day, it can’t match the lap-after-lap excitement of a Bristol, or the tension ofTalledega. You won’t hear of the Track President at those tracks holding a mid-race press conference to apologize for half-empty stands. Tune in the the NASCAR channel on your scanner next time you’re at a race, listen to tower begging the spotters to see something when the race gets boring.And Matt, I’ve never called Sirius. And empty seats don’t affect a race, but they do testify to the continual boredom at these tracks, and why they have such a low renewal rate on tickets.
@@jimmccoy22
Did you watch the post race interviews? Even Mr Politically Correct Jimmie Johnson called out NASCAR with their fake Debris Cautions. The water bottle debris is a Red Herring, nothing more.
I think the racing at California could be good if Drivers had more incentive to go for the win rather than to play it safe and accept a top 10 finish.
@Clay. Well-made argument. I wouldn’t, nor did I disagree with the point you and Patrick make that ACS doesn’t not compare favorably to Bristol or Talladega. By the same token, I think you’d agree that this race was better than what we had at Indy or anything we ever see at Texas. The multi-purpose “cookie cutters” aren;t as good and I’ll be the first to concede that.
@mike m. To your point there, of course Jimmie would say that. Were I in his position, I’d want to get a race I was leading over with as soon as possbile before JPM or Gordon screw that up. I would agree with one common gripe I hear from people: I would like to see the cameras find the debris on ALL debris cautions, or call NASCAR out on it. I’m not in a position to do that, but with their cameras….they are.
You can’t point the cameras at the Debris that doens’t exist.
P.S. NASCAR drivers have been throwing water bottles out their windows for more than 20 years, and it’s never been a problem before.
@mike. My point exactly. If the debris does not,in fact, exit, then the viewing public needs to know that & NASCAR called on it. As it is, short of being at the track, how does anybody know? If what you’re saying is true, then that needs to be exposed.
Nobody has any business dunping crap out on the track. I couldn’t tell you why it has happened and been allowed, but I don’t want a race decided by someone using the track for a trash can and then have that as the deciding factor.
Someone made a comment about top 10 finishes…I used to think that was true.
However, the Chase (and in a way, JJ is responsible for this) has now made the last 10 races not only a nothing to lose situation, but also a situation in which you must win or get a bunch of seconds to take the title. JJ is the best at that right now. But as other teams figure it out, you are probably going to develop a situation of winning and points-racing in the first 26, and then all-out efforts in the last 10. You will HAVE to win, consistently, as you will have no time to build up a comfortable points lead with top 10’s. This is good TV now. I also accept the debris cautions. As the race goes on and 43 crappy cars are blunking around the track at 200mph, debris is going to pile up and NASCAR is gonna have to go git it.
Poor attendance was the reason given for Darlington losing one date and Rockingham losing both dates to Texas, California, and Phoenix. That’s why NASCAR fans cry about attendance. But there was more than 50,000 fans there, I can tell you that. Its been 60-70,000 the last few races, and there was more than 60,000 there for sure. Only the edges of grandstand in turn 1 and turn 4 were empty, with scattered empty seats everywhere else. The section I was sitting in had two rows half full. The rest of the section was packed.
If NASCAR wanted to they could sell out every race. Lower the ticket prices to something like $20 a seat and people will come, even in a bad economy. Makes more sense to sell tickets at a lower price and fill the stands then seeing all those empty seats on TV, and it makes the sport look bad. Someone tell NASCAR stop being sooooo greedy, your suppose to care about the fans.
@ Kevin. I was at the race also, Section 47 and 4 sections on either side of us was 2/3 empty, definately not the fringes. I have been going there since 1999 and this race attendence was the worst. The Napa Campground, outside the track was half-full. This was the best weather they have had at this track and the racing and turnout was horrible. I’ll bet the tatoo expo at the LA Convention Center had a greater turnout, as sad as it is the be a sheep to be cool, ISC needs to do someting to this track.
I like california and the people, But there is no need for two races in California.A water bottle is not classified as a legitimate caution when the drivers throw them out there self.Nascar needs to listen to other people and bring other tracks in to replace no competition tracks.Rockingham for instance is a very good race that deserves to have a race back.I am sorry if I insulted anyone from the area but it is just my opinion,But my opinion comes with alot of backing.
Defending ACS is like defending George Bush. Ain’t one point that has a solid leg to stand on. ACS and NA$CAR were made for each other and Penski knew it. And how fitting for Knaus to cheat up another one at his Cali Boy’s “Home Track”. Would have loved to have seen that tech line. NA$CAR has got to be in a lather over their push for a 4 Time Chump.
@Howard. What would you think about reconfiguring ACS? On the caution business, again, I say if a driver is caught throwing crap on the track, bring him down pit road.
@Mike. So Chad Knaus cheated his way up to another “48″ win? Show me. And what’s more, why on God’s green Earth would NASCAR LOVE to see Johnson win another one. If they were all about propping up a fake champion, wouldn’t it make sense to prop up the most popular instead of “Mr. Vanilla?” Oh, BTW- the George Bush comment…imagine my surprise we disagree on that. I’m sorry, all that black helicopter stuff doesn’t sell with me.
@Jim. Probably won’t see this since it’s a day later but, I won’t go all political in this forum but I will let you know that I’m Republican and thought he sucked.
As far as Knaus, any team who is led by the most suspended and fined crew chief deserves every bit of doubt. I believe those 3 Championships hold up about as much as a steroid fueled home run record. As far as “Superman”, put him on another team. Hell, put him in the 14 and look out Kryptonite. His legacy is Knaus and nothing more.
And why would NA$CAR prop up a fake champion? $$$$$$$. The talk from the very beginning of the season, with all the networks, has been about JJ and his fourth. It’s been endless and NA$CAR has been right there with the History. With a sport that is doing everything they can to kill history, they need a way to show they’re still making it. So don’t come at me with that tired “black helicopter” crap, the documentation is there on Knaus. And if you want true answers, always follow the money.
@Mike. I see all my comments. Let’s go with your presupposition for a moment. Look how much complicity is needed to make it happen: NASCAR, the competitors, the media. Conspiracies hold together only for so long. Such a wel–orchestrated sham takes way too much cooperation and furthermore, people’s own ambitions get in the way. Besides, it would be long term loss for short-term gain. JJ a 4th straight championship? A much more compelling storyline would be Stewart as driver/ owner, Martin winning it after all these years, Gordon getting his 5th, or even better, Dale Earnhardt Jr., still far and away, NASCAR’s mosto popular driver, winning it. They really don’t gain much from Johnson winning. Trust me, the media goes where the story is. Mark my words- should JJ drop a pair of 35th place finishes, he’s history in a New York minute. That Mike, is the problem I have with your theory.
@Jim. It really doesn’t take an orchestration among many. All it takes is for an inspector to “overlook” something in the tech line. I’ve been in and around NA$CAR for more years than I care to admit and I can tell you that personal ambitions are always trumped by NA$CAR’s iron hand.
All teams are looking for ways to make the COT work all season long. Top tier teams with nearly unlimited resources. Knaus uses the first 26 races as a test session, with a conveniently timed tire test thrown in for good measure, to prepare for the Chase. And he has found something these other teams haven’t? In my experience, given this is essentially a Spec car, those advantages only exist outside the rules.
And now the Great Chase has begun and those “discoveries” are beginning, once again, to bear fruit. What is NA$CAR going to do? There is no way they’re going to penalize their long touted, soon to be 4 time Champion. They (Brian France) can ill afford an even greater negative light being shown on their failures. And I agree, there are much more worthy stories that would shine a brighter, positive light but NA$CAR set themselves on this road long ago. BTW, who’s on the pole this weekend?
@Mike. I enjoy your comments and I sometime agree with you, so I hope you in no way take this as disrespect in any way. I hink our debate is at the heart of NASCAR as it currently is and i think its a good, worthwhile discussion. Pleas understand, no one was more digusted than me when JJ once again pulled away for a win. Because this is an opinion site, I make no bones that I am a Jeff Gordon fan pulling for Mark Martin.
That said, my sense of justice does not allow me to consider the notion that NASCAR has put the fix in for Johnson. There’s no good reason for them to do it. Furthermore, if I truly believed they would, there would be scathing anti-NASCAR diatribe and I as a fan would be gone for good making a lot of noise on the way out. What’s more, such fixing in any other sport would prompt legal action and I, for one, would not hesitate to encourage the abolition of the governing body.
This is my question: if you think the sport is fixed and you hate the quality of racing, why do you continue to watch? Frankly, if I believed you were right about what you see, I’d be gone. There’s plenty of other sports and other racing to watch to waste my time with this if I believed it were true.
@Jim. I also enjoy our discussion and take no disrespect. I am a HUGE Mark Martin fan clear back to the ASA days. And just like being a Raiders fan, I have lived with every up and down for all these years. But I got to tell you, if Mark would end up winning the Championship this year, it will have to have an * by it because of this God awful Chase.
As for watching, I rarely do. Just like with my Raiders and waiting for Al Davis to fade away so they have a chance again, I’m waiting for Brian France to disappear so this sport may again return to glory. I LOVE racing and my complaints about the state of Cup is because of that. I have been involved, as I stated before, for many years. Back to the 60’s as a fan and since the 80’s as a participant. I’ve seen many things that lend credence to my argument and causes my distrust. But hell, maybe I’m giving NA$CAR way too much credit. Maybe they’re just too stupid to find what Knaus is doing. Either way I still contend something ain’t right. I just shook my head in disgust at Saturday night’s “race”.
I’ll tell you though, I’ve never seen this sport in such trouble. The sheer number of core fans that are walking away and the number of teams that are being pushed out is truly disturbing. And major corporate sponsors are right behind them. I just hope BF fades away before this sport does.
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