Interest builds around possible changes to NASCAR schedule

The schedule doesn't address the two greatest strategic gaps, which are Montreal (or possibly Mosport) and Mexico City. Two huge opportunities continue to be ignored... shame on you Nascar.

I'd be all in for Mosport. As for Mexico City, NOBODY that has to make the trip wants to go to Mexico City. It's a logistical nightmare, and and the lengths that have to be gone to to guarantee the safety of everyone and everything is just absurd. I talked to some people that have done it for Grand Am, and it's like spending a weekend in jail.
 
I'd be all in for Mosport. As for Mexico City, NOBODY that has to make the trip wants to go to Mexico City. It's a logistical nightmare, and and the lengths that have to be gone to to guarantee the safety of everyone and everything is just absurd. I talked to some people that have done it for Grand Am, and it's like spending a weekend in jail.
I remember hearing stories how teams didn't want to go back because of the security and pain mobilization was

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Interesting that IMS wants them back on the oval.

The road course experiment was a failure. I'm not surprised that they're going back this year, that was probably already the plan, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they were back on the oval in 2023.
 
Interesting that IMS wants them back on the oval.
I personally thought the racing was better, but if the new car races better on the oval... Then why not? I bet that is the reason why IMS wants them on the oval.

If the oval is a stinker, then stick to the road course. No harm, no foul IMHO.
 
The schedule doesn't address the two greatest strategic gaps, which are Montreal (or possibly Mosport)

Hate to see the loss of Pocono's second date, was hoping to see the roval option applied there.
I'd love to see any or all of these. After last year's additions, I don't know that NASCAR or the fanbase are ready for more roadies.
 
The road course experiment was a failure. I'm not surprised that they're going back this year, that was probably already the plan, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they were back on the oval in 2023.
Xfinity has run three terrific races in a row on the Indy infield. The Cup race wasn't a failure until ten laps to go. That was a track prep issue, not one with the racing itself.

Replace the curbs with a half-dozen Jersey Barriers or drive-in movie 'exit spikes'; problem solved! ;)
 
I wonder which venues will sacrifice second dates, or if NASCAR expands the schedule in the future.

There's the rumored Chicago street race thing, plus rumors that NASCAR wants to go to Denver. IF Portland is on the Xfinity schedule, I imagine NASCAR's probably thinking about getting a Cup race in that market.

There's also Nashville and North Wilkesboro.
 
NASCAR shoulders much of the blame for what has transpired at Indy. For the first decade or so, Indy was set apart as unique and it had it's own vibe and a ton of build up. By the time the Brian France regime took over, they seemed hell bent on making it just another weekly stop for the circus. The Speedway also takes a big share of the blame for refusing to admit that not allowing any configuration changes for the stock cars (IE the rumble strips on the inside of the corners) hurt the show, and the fact that as time went on, the track got greedy and started sucking ever more money out of the fans pockets, like charging to park in the infield that had been free for a good 100 years. Also, while I have to admit that the actual racing on the road course hasn't been as bad as I imagined, road racing just isn't much of a thing with the fan base in these parts.
 
Xfinity has run three terrific races in a row on the Indy infield. The Cup race wasn't a failure until ten laps to go. That was a track prep issue, not one with the racing itself.

Replace the curbs with a half-dozen Jersey Barriers or drive-in movie 'exit spikes'; problem solved! ;)

It was the least watched NASCAR race at Indianapolis ever (excluding races that got moved to Mondays when everyone's at work).
 
It was the least watched NASCAR race at Indianapolis ever (excluding races that got moved to Mondays when everyone's at work).
Well, TV does write the checks.

If you have the numbers, do the last three or four races on the oval trend downward? I ask to see if the decline was already in progress. If so, running on the oval may not have done any better.

I believe it was also the first time they've run at Indy on the holiday weekend, so that may have been a factor too. A Sunday day race vs. the traditional Daytona Saturday night race may not have fit some viewers schedule.

I'm definitely not saying the numbers weren't off, just wondering if we can pin all the decline solely on abandoning the oval.
 
Praise be Roger. Quietly re-shaping the industry.

BTW ... we hired a new HD mechanic. He showed up this morning with a lime green Snap On roller cabinet. Biggest one I've ever seen. :cool:
 
In our shop, those damn aircraft carriers masquerading as tool boxes take up so much floor space, there's no room left to work on trucks.......
 
Well, TV does write the checks.

If you have the numbers, do the last three or four races on the oval trend downward? I ask to see if the decline was already in progress. If so, running on the oval may not have done any better.

I believe it was also the first time they've run at Indy on the holiday weekend, so that may have been a factor too. A Sunday day race vs. the traditional Daytona Saturday night race may not have fit some viewers schedule.

I'm definitely not saying the numbers weren't off, just wondering if we can pin all the decline solely on abandoning the oval.

The Brickyard 400 was a ratings behemoth for NBC/SN. The 2016 Brickyard 400 was the highest rated broadcast on NBCSN ... EVER.

 
I loved all the fantasy tracks even if Old Spice was originally the bane of my existence, always had trouble with the left right after the bridge
Levi Strauss Signature Speedway and Red Ball Raceway were so awesome.

Levi is pretty much Concord. Red Ball was like a cross between Southern National and Winchester.
 
Levi Strauss Signature Speedway and Red Ball Raceway were so awesome.

Levi is pretty much Concord. Red Ball was like a cross between Southern National and Winchester.
Red Ball in a modified was bad ass, Levi Strauss took a bit to learn but once you get the line down I loved it
 
I loved Red Ball, was usually good on that one in those games. Flat tracks and Rockingham were usually my best tracks though.
I like how Rockingham after it came off the schedule they just said screw it put some Hawaii background on it and pretend it's a different track
 
Well, TV does write the checks.

If you have the numbers, do the last three or four races on the oval trend downward? I ask to see if the decline was already in progress. If so, running on the oval may not have done any better.

I believe it was also the first time they've run at Indy on the holiday weekend, so that may have been a factor too. A Sunday day race vs. the traditional Daytona Saturday night race may not have fit some viewers schedule.

I'm definitely not saying the numbers weren't off, just wondering if we can pin all the decline solely on abandoning the oval.
Charlie, your questions about TV comparisons are valid questions. And your points about the Indy road racing being very good are also valid. But none of that matters to me, and to many others apparently. My heart is still racing... from a simple Jenna Fryer tweet that IMS hasn't given up on the oval.

This summer at Indy, Rick Allen and the Gerbils spent four hours telling us, "It's OK, it's still Indy. This is still hallowed ground." And they interviewed half a dozen drivers, crew chiefs, and owners who tried to tell us the same thing. It was perfectly obvious that none of them believed what they were selling... and I'm not the only one who absolutely wasn't buying it.

On the oval, Indy has always been one of the most intriguing races of the year to me, one of the most highly anticipated, most exciting, most worth winning races of the year. Before the NA18D silliness (and hopefully again in the future), Indy is among the most demanding tests of driver skill.

Some people think "beatin' and banging" makes for a good race. Some like WFO pack racing at Daytona and Talladega, and want to establish that style at Michigan, Atlanta, and lots more places. I'll take Indy on the oval, with low downforce and high horsepower, thank you very much..:salute:
 
Last edited:
I like how Rockingham after it came off the schedule they just said screw it put some Hawaii background on it and pretend it's a different track

People make NR2003 tracks like that. There are so many Dover and Homestead clones in different cities on there.

Someone made a Boston track that's a ton of fun too, it's like a bigger Coastal Plains or smaller Charlotte. Speaking of, someone needs to make that track (Goodyear All American/Coastal Plains) for Nr2003. Place is a ton of fun.
 
I would like to see what the new car does on the Indianapolis oval, hopefully it will be a better show for those that think the Brickyard 400 was boring.
 
FB_IMG_1631728512012.jpg
 
People make NR2003 tracks like that. There are so many Dover and Homestead clones in different cities on there.

Someone made a Boston track that's a ton of fun too, it's like a bigger Coastal Plains or smaller Charlotte. Speaking of, someone needs to make that track (Goodyear All American/Coastal Plains) for Nr2003. Place is a ton of fun.
Are there some sites that still have those tracks to download?
 
I dislike most of the changes NASCAR has made over the last two decades, but continuing to add new tracks is one of the few good decisions they've made. It's good to see the variety of tracks after the schedule had been stagnant for so long.

Number of different tracks (or configurations) on the Cup circuit each season:
1985 - 14 tracks
1990 - 16 tracks
1995 - 18 tracks
2000 - 21 tracks
2005 - 22 tracks
2010 - 22 tracks
2015 - 23 tracks
2020 - 22 tracks
2021 - 26 tracks
2022 - 28 tracks
 


A completely off base comparison. Other than the distance to the outfield walls and the amount of area in foul territory, a ball diamond is a ball diamond is a ball diamond. Not the case with a race track. If it cost the two teams that played in the corn field anything, it would be no different than any other Midwestern road trip which they do all the time. Two airplanes and some fuel. NASCAR will be twenty transporters and God knows how many airplanes, and clear across the country. You can say LA loves NASCAR, but despite the huge population advantage, they haven't been buying any more tickets than anyplace else NASCAR goes. When you can get as many people to show up in Bristol Tennessee as you do in the LA suburbs, that's not a ringing endorsement. While I'm at it, yes, the fans asked for more short tracks, but REAL ones, not crap like this. Just like we asked for more road courses, and got mostly crappy rovals instead.
 
this is actually amusing, I thought the Field of Dreams game was pretty stupid and pandered to a movie made thats is about as old as I am. I also hate my White Sox blew a lead and lost it, but thats for another discussion. As for this idea I am coming around, I think its going to be pretty cool. I also think as I've stated it opens up avenues to get to markets that dont have a Cup ready track or that NASCAR doesnt go to anymore ( Seattle-QWest Field, Chicago-Soldier Field, Denver-Mile High Stadium for examples). The IRacing video shown on Fox brought me 100% on board. Lets go. While I dont want NASCAR to become "The NASCAR Cup Stadium Series" I do think if this is a hit with fans and logistically, I wouldnt have a problem with 1-2 races a year in a Stadium. as for the last two points on this meme, that also amuses and befuddles me at the same time. Fans are so worried about how NASCAR spends their money. Why do you care, its not your money. Go away, some of the worst people I encounter in my personal life are people who are worried how other people spend their own money. Go away.
 
Well, TV does write the checks.

If you have the numbers, do the last three or four races on the oval trend downward? I ask to see if the decline was already in progress. If so, running on the oval may not have done any better.

I believe it was also the first time they've run at Indy on the holiday weekend, so that may have been a factor too. A Sunday day race vs. the traditional Daytona Saturday night race may not have fit some viewers schedule.

I'm definitely not saying the numbers weren't off, just wondering if we can pin all the decline solely on abandoning the oval.
Yes it does, that's why I'm so shocked that we've seen the push by NASCAR for more short tracks/road courses. Us hardcore fans may love them, but the Brickyard and Daytona/Dega are what really pulls the TV ratings in. Can even make a case that adopting the 550 HP package stopped the ratings bleeding on intermediate tracks
 
Praise be Jesus. The race belongs on the oval.
Praise be Roger [Penske]. Quietly re-shaping the industry.
Actually, Jenna Fryer's AP news article puts a different flavor on the question of the Indy oval versus road course. Her tweet implies IMS wants to shift back to the oval, but her news article says Nascar is pushing for that and IMS will think it over...

NASCAR will race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the second year in a row as part of a shared weekend with the IndyCar Series on July 31. But NASCAR wants the race back on the oval and IMS officials said Wednesday it will consider moving the race — potentially on a rotating basis with the road course — as fans and drivers are attracted to the prestige of the famous speedway.

 
I guess the IMS President is done sweeping… “put it back on the oval”


lol
 
this is actually amusing, I thought the Field of Dreams game was pretty stupid and pandered to a movie made thats is about as old as I am. I also hate my White Sox blew a lead and lost it, but that's for another discussion. As for this idea I am coming around, I think its going to be pretty cool. I also think as I've stated it opens up avenues to get to markets that dont have a Cup ready track or that NASCAR doesnt go to anymore ( Seattle-QWest Field, Chicago-Soldier Field, Denver-Mile High Stadium for examples). The IRacing video shown on Fox brought me 100% on board. Lets go. While I dont want NASCAR to become "The NASCAR Cup Stadium Series" I do think if this is a hit with fans and logistically, I wouldnt have a problem with 1-2 races a year in a Stadium. as for the last two points on this meme, that also amuses and befuddles me at the same time. Fans are so worried about how NASCAR spends their money. Why do you care, its not your money. Go away, some of the worst people I encounter in my personal life are people who are worried how other people spend their own money. Go away.

I normally would side with you on the spending issue, but in an era where nearly every move made in NASCAR is somehow predicated on cost savings, I think you're missing our point. We can't have practice because of money, we can't have qualifying because of money, we have to have generic cars and strangled engines because of money and we can't do this and we can't do that, because of money, BUT we can send half the teams clear across the country for a damn exhibition race at a venue that isn't even a race track. :rolleyes:
 
Back
Top Bottom