Bristol Dirt Race

yeah Im with Chex, we have sources for this because I havent seen anything said like this from our Twitter NASCAR Beat reporters.
 
Leavine mentioned it on Twitter. Don't know if it's true or not. But I do know Fox pushed heavily for this. Not sure why though.
 
my apologies ,I Just read the article. Seems as if Bob is saying TV is the problem, a problem in terms of them dictating to NASCAR what they want from NASCAR. Interesting.
 
As I have said before and many know this Marcus Smith is a mover and shaker and guess who's idea this was. The fact that TV loved the idea and Leavine didn't, guess what is going to happen.

From Steve O'Donnel:
“Marcus Smith approached us about the idea. I think everybody loves short track racing. But, if you look at where we’ve been, as far as a capacity standpoint for that event. The track wanted to look at reinventing.”
“As everyone knows, Bristol Motor Speedway is the home to big events and we feel like this will be one of the most anticipated races in the NASCAR Cup Series in quite some time,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway.

“We have proven in the past that we know how to transform Bristol Motor Speedway into one of the most pristine dirt facilities anywhere around, so we can’t wait to see how the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will perform on the high banks at the World’s Fastest dirt Half-Mile.”

To hear Levine's tale they must have held a gun to their heads:
“We talked to our television partners about that. It was the number one thing they wanted to see, ‘Can we make that happen?’ So, we all got together, we worked with the race teams.”

racingnews.co

Bristol Dirt: How the NASCAR dirt race came to be - Racing News

Bristol Dirt: How the NASCAR dirt race came to be. The dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway is about 'reinventing' the iconic Tennessee race track.
racingnews.co racingnews.co
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdj
I don't care how it came to be, the fact that this is going to be a points paying race the first go round is absolutely stupid. This is the kind of thing they should have done for the all star race last year and left it at that.
 
Whether you agree with his takes or not, he's done something most of us here have never done, and that is to spend substantial amounts of money trying to build and run a race team, and I for one find it refreshing to find someone who doesn't just regurgitate the "company line" on EVERY issue. 95% of these car owners wouldn't tell you what they REALLY think if you held a gun to their heads.
 
StandOnIt said:
As I have said before and many know this Marcus Smith is a mover and shaker and guess who's idea this was. The fact that TV loved the idea and Leavine didn't, guess what is going to happen.

From Steve O'Donnel:
“Marcus Smith approached us about the idea. I think everybody loves short track racing. But, if you look at where we’ve been, as far as a capacity standpoint for that event. The track wanted to look at reinventing.”
“As everyone knows, Bristol Motor Speedway is the home to big events and we feel like this will be one of the most anticipated races in the NASCAR Cup Series in quite some time,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway.

“We have proven in the past that we know how to transform Bristol Motor Speedway into one of the most pristine dirt facilities anywhere around, so we can’t wait to see how the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will perform on the high banks at the World’s Fastest dirt Half-Mile.”

To hear Levine's tale they must have held a gun to their heads:
“We talked to our television partners about that. It was the number one thing they wanted to see, ‘Can we make that happen?’ So, we all got together, we worked with the race teams.”

racingnews.co

Bristol Dirt: How the NASCAR dirt race came to be - Racing News

Bristol Dirt: How the NASCAR dirt race came to be. The dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway is about 'reinventing' the iconic Tennessee race track.
racingnews.co racingnews.co
Click to expand...

Typical NASCAR. Reinvent things that WORK, while ignoring things that don't............
 
AdoubleU24 said:
I don't care how it came to be, the fact that this is going to be a points paying race the first go round is absolutely stupid. This is the kind of thing they should have done for the all star race last year and left it at that.
Click to expand...
I disagree. This is no different than an inaugural race at any track, and this isn't taking into account that nearly every driver has raced at Bristol PLUS many drivers already have a decent amount of dirt experience. NASCAR markets itself as the premier racing league in the world and this is the best way for their drivers to prove it.

"Adapt, overcome, conquer". If NASCAR drivers aren't willing to abide by that motto, they shouldn't be in the sport
 
AdoubleU24 said:
I don't care how it came to be, the fact that this is going to be a points paying race the first go round is absolutely stupid. This is the kind of thing they should have done for the all star race last year and left it at that.
Click to expand...
If NASCAR can do a points paying Daytona Road Course with no practice, NASCAR can do a point paying dirt race at Bristol. These are the best stock car race car drivers and teams on the planet. Let them figure it out.
 
StandOnIt said:
While you were sleeping, Bristol has gone from a full house to half full if lucky. What exactally is working there?
Click to expand...

You could say that for all but a couple races on the schedule. The majority of the fans have indicated that they want MORE short track racing, and the Bristol races have been among the best races we've had the last few years. Now we're throwing one of them away for some goofy experiment. If We're going to have a dirt race, which I don't particularly want, then it should be on a dedicated dirt track, preferably bigger than a half mile, and NOT take away a really good pavement short track race.
 
Formerjackman said:
You could say that for all but a couple races on the schedule. .
Click to expand...
But I didn't say that. What I said was what is working for Bristol? They went from a full house with a waiting list to lucky if they are half full. Somehow people think a dirt race is going to harm viewing or attendence if permitted?
 
StandOnIt said:
While you were sleeping, Bristol has gone from a full house to half full if lucky. What exactally is working there?
Click to expand...
For starters, most of the fans that go there went because of the wrecks and the fights. When they changed the track, that went away and so did most of the fans. Bruton vowed to put the track back to the way it was if this didn't work. He's spending more money on things that aren't bringing people in instead of what he said.

The second thing is their ticket prices are some of the highest on the circuit. Combine that with how much the local hotels gouge fans, it's no wonder people stopped going.
 
StandOnIt said:
But I didn't say that. What I said was what is working for Bristol? They went from a full house with a waiting list to lucky if they are half full. Somehow people think a dirt race is going to harm viewing or attendence if permitted?
Click to expand...
No, I think it will generate a lot of buzz, and probably some more attendance and viewership ONCE. If they insist on keeping it going forward, I think it will actually HURT attendance and viewership. I predict the same thing for the Brickyard Roval race too. Our group has already decided we're not going back to Indy for the first time EVER.
 
Formerjackman said:
No, I think it will generate a lot of buzz, and probably some more attendance and viewership ONCE. If they insist on keeping it going forward, I think it will actually HURT attendance and viewership. I predict the same thing for the Brickyard Roval race too. Our group has already decided we're not going back to Indy for the first time EVER.
Click to expand...
so you haven't an answer for what is working so well at Bristol.
 
MRM said:
For starters, most of the fans that go there went because of the wrecks and the fights.
Click to expand...
I think in that area there will be a hell of a lot more wrecking and rubbing going on. As it is now they are so good on pavement and the cars are built so well that Bristol is mostly a spin dry event more often than the way is was 25 years ago.
 
StandOnIt said:
so you haven't an answer for what is working so well at Bristol.
Click to expand...
I personally think that the races there recently have been in the top 10% of ALL NASCAR races. I can't explain why that hasn't translated into more attendance and viewership, but it is my opinion the on track product in this case is NOT the problem. Changing this race to dirt doesn't change any of the underlying issues.
 
aunty dive said:
You're not satisfied with the repetitive, grinding negativity?

What more could you possibly want?
Click to expand...
Well, somebody has to offer some balance to your polyanna view that NASCAR is infallible and everything they do is just wonderful. If you're not on their payroll, they're missing one hell of an opportunity.
 
Formerjackman said:
I personally think that the races there recently have been in the top 10% of ALL NASCAR races. I can't explain why that hasn't translated into more attendance and viewership, but it is my opinion the on track product in this case is NOT the problem. Changing this race to dirt doesn't change any of the underlying issues.
Click to expand...
That doesn't put people in the stands or get higher numbers to watch. Maybe a dirt race will. They must think so and so far Marcus Smith is on a winning streak.
 
When I went to the Bristol night race in 19, it was getting to go as a life long race fan and fan of NASCAR, that it was surreal being there. It was such a tremendous trip, I had always wanted to go to a race there. I didnt even care about the hotel prices ( which were incredibly steep, stayed in Johnson City TN) It didnt matter fall or spring, everything lined up for the fall race and I took advantage. I dont know if me personally I am excited about the dirt race, I thought both Bristol races each year were some of the best racing that you can get on TV and well.... of course being there is a whole different level. I had actually thought about going to the Food City 500 this year if the pandemic let up before the news of the dirt race broke and frankly I am not interested in going anymore because of it. I just never had an urge to see dirt racing at the NASCAR Cup level, I'd rather go to a local dirt track or WoO race for that. I agree with the Jackman in that Bristol didnt need this, but again this is just my opinion in that I always found racing there exciting. . I thought maybe some other tracks needed a shot in the arm like this or hell even put an existing dirt track on the schedule if one was so desired. Maybe I'll be wrong and it will work but we'll see, I'm still going to tune in and see what happens. But if you put a gun to my head and forced me to pick between the two Bristol races this year, I am picking the fall one.
 
The question about what is or isn't working well at Bristol should be followed by this question. Will a dirt race bring in more fans and keep them coming back? The first race will probably do okay, it will probably draw more fans than the last several spring races. Keep in mind dirt late model racing is big in the Southeast. Having Cup cars on a dirt track is more like have street stocks/modified streets on a dirt track. If you have back-to-back weekends of dirt late models and sprint cars like they did 20 years ago, both of those weekends would do as well, if not better, than the last few spring Cup races. After that, the novelty will wear off and it's back to another gimmick to get fans to come back.
 
My $2.00 worth (inflation) - The top tier of asphalt, paved, concrete track automobile racing series in the world, (to me), to go race a points paying dirt race makes no sense at all, in my humble opinion.

If NASCAR wants to play with the offering, do this for the All Star Race.
 
Nothing has been said about the dirt race being permanent. They aren't racing the dirt sprint cars there after they had a race at Bristol years ago. The fall race will be back to the original configuration. I wonder if it is cheaper to throw a dirt car together than a regular Bristol car.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
I don't care how it came to be, the fact that this is going to be a points paying race the first go round is absolutely stupid. This is the kind of thing they should have done for the all star race last year and left it at that.
Click to expand...
That's what I said about running the Daytona infield back in August without even a practice lap.

I was wrong.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
That's what I said about running the Daytona infield back in August without even a practice lap.

I was wrong.
Click to expand...
they ran it like they had been running it every year. Surprised me, I thought there would be some fireworks but it was business as usual. Elliott showing that he was one of the best road racers out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdj
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom