All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Pre-Race Thread

I didn't want to say it was Jr's idea and provoke the ilk of all of the Jr fans, but as you brought it up lol. Besides the track, they are fighting the weather today.
 
I never thought I'd see a Pre-Race thread for a CUP RACE AT NORTH WILKESBORO!!! Holy moly. Also heres a big FU, Suck it and dunk on your face to those who said:
-Time to Move On
-You're Living in the Past
-This again....
-This fanbase cant accept change
-I hope the place rots away.
Suck it, Suck It, Suck it. Saying that I am very excited and humbled to attend the weekend at this track. Last few days of work are going to drag on.
A-f*****-men brother
 
They ran the last cup race there when I was a freshman in college. Damn I’m old
 
Is there a free trial of any kind for Floracing? Didn’t want a $150 yearly subscription to watch one race that probably isn’t going to happen due to weather
 
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Is there a free trial of any kind for Floracing? Didn’t want a $150 yearly subscription to watch one race that probably isn’t going to happen due to weather
Flo has so much more coming up. Cars Tour is tomorrow night and the weather looks perfect and they have tons of racing all year
 
I’ll preface my remarks by telling those who don’t know that I’m in the road-building / infrastructure business. We’re up to date on all aspects of current asphalt mix technology, paving practices and procedures and crack repair methodology.

Every one of the hundreds if not thousands of black repair lines that appear in photos of the North Wilkesboro racing surface represents a crack in the asphalt ... virtually all of which go right down to the gravel sub-base. They’re black because the “binder” used in the hot patch material is bitumen (oil) based. Over time, the filler material hardens, loses its ability to move and repaired cracks re-appear.

Most of them have been there for quite some time. In the present, asphalt crack repairs are effected using a mix bound together by polymers / epoxy, giving the repairs the ability to “stretch” under load and changes in temperature and extending the life of the repair(s). The track is about to be subjected to the highest wheel loads in its history. It’s hard to be optimistic about the outcome of that.

And ... the surface itself is completely worn out. The aggregates (small rocks) in the asphalt are exposed ... the bitumen binder is worn away. There’s very little grip left. Nextgen tire testers were unable to get to a fully open throttle position on corner exit. “Loose” will be the word of the day.

The budget was in place. The paving contractor had this job on his schedule. Apparently Junior Earnhardt’s influence swayed the decision and the job got cancelled.

Nostalgia run amok ... just my opinion, of course.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Please do the same. We might get lucky.

If the track surface falls apart and ruins the race in some capacity, it'll be a massive embarrassment for NASCAR. They should have repaved the track before running there again.
 
I’ll preface my remarks by telling those who don’t know that I’m in the road-building / infrastructure business. We’re up to date on all aspects of current asphalt mix technology, paving practices and procedures and crack repair methodology.

Every one of the hundreds if not thousands of black repair lines that appear in photos of the North Wilkesboro racing surface represents a crack in the asphalt ... virtually all of which go right down to the gravel sub-base. They’re black because the “binder” used in the hot patch material is bitumen (oil) based. Over time, the filler material hardens, loses its ability to move and repaired cracks re-appear.

Most of them have been there for quite some time. In the present, asphalt crack repairs are effected using a mix bound together by polymers / epoxy, giving the repairs the ability to “stretch” under load and changes in temperature and extending the life of the repair(s). The track is about to be subjected to the highest wheel loads in its history. It’s hard to be optimistic about the outcome of that.

And ... the surface itself is completely worn out. The aggregates (small rocks) in the asphalt are exposed ... the bitumen binder is worn away. There’s very little grip left. Nextgen tire testers were unable to get to a fully open throttle position on corner exit. “Loose” will be the word of the day.

The budget was in place. The paving contractor had this job on his schedule. Apparently Junior Earnhardt’s influence swayed the decision and the job got cancelled.

Nostalgia run amok ... just my opinion, of course.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Please do the same. We might get lucky.

I don't know... the old Atlanta surface was 3/4ths as old, at a much faster track, with constant use over all its years... never an issue unless it rained IIRC. My old hometrack was last paved in 1987 and it was repaired best you can, never seen an issue.

I believe any issues with track surface would've presented themselves in the tire test and/or the racetrack revival week last year. I didn't hear of any issues so at least nothing serious.

And would stopping 2 or 3 times this weekend for track repairs that take 20 minutes really be a huge inconvenience??? This stuff happens (Dover, Martinsville, Daytona with JPM all off the top of my head). NASCAR has always had a plan ready to go with racing resuming as quickly as feasibly possible.
 
If the track surface falls apart and ruins the race in some capacity, it'll be a massive embarrassment for NASCAR. They should have repaved the track before running there again.
It will make a good base for the dirt they are going to put on there.
 

29-Busch-Light-Throwback-ALLSTAR--e1679005700183.jpg
 
Is there a free trial of any kind for Floracing? Didn’t want a $150 yearly subscription to watch one race that probably isn’t going to happen due to weather
In June, July and August you’re hard pressed to find a night with no live racing on flo. It’s well worth the $150. You have like 20 weekly tracks, High Limit sprint cars, All Star sprint cars, Lucas Oil dirt late models, Short Track Super Series dirt modifieds, the CARS tour, NASCAR modifieds and so much more
 
I’ll preface my remarks by telling those who don’t know that I’m in the road-building / infrastructure business. We’re up to date on all aspects of current asphalt mix technology, paving practices and procedures and crack repair methodology.

Every one of the hundreds if not thousands of black repair lines that appear in photos of the North Wilkesboro racing surface represents a crack in the asphalt ... virtually all of which go right down to the gravel sub-base. They’re black because the “binder” used in the hot patch material is bitumen (oil) based. Over time, the filler material hardens, loses its ability to move and repaired cracks re-appear.

Most of them have been there for quite some time. In the present, asphalt crack repairs are effected using a mix bound together by polymers / epoxy, giving the repairs the ability to “stretch” under load and changes in temperature and extending the life of the repair(s). The track is about to be subjected to the highest wheel loads in its history. It’s hard to be optimistic about the outcome of that.

And ... the surface itself is completely worn out. The aggregates (small rocks) in the asphalt are exposed ... the bitumen binder is worn away. There’s very little grip left. Nextgen tire testers were unable to get to a fully open throttle position on corner exit. “Loose” will be the word of the day.

The budget was in place. The paving contractor had this job on his schedule. Apparently Junior Earnhardt’s influence swayed the decision and the job got cancelled.

Nostalgia run amok ... just my opinion, of course.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Please do the same. We might get lucky.
You are ****** awesome. Than you for this perspective. This kind of thing fascinates me.
 
How soft has our society become? We have to distribute information on how tough it will be to get to the track, give them an app so they can find their parking area and tell them to be patient and nice to parking attendants and police. We had more people attending back in the 80's and 90's and you didnt have to tell them anything. Everyone knew it was gonna be tough to get in and out and planned for it.
 
Broaden your horizons. Getcha’ some midgets and Sprint cars on dirt. 😎
I seriously want to learn how to drive those in iRacing. It looks so darn fun and stressful at the same time, but I can't figure out corner entry in any dirt type of sim to throw it sideways without losing all my momentum. Then again, I've lost my mojo on pavement too so... :biggrin:
 
How soft has our society become? We have to distribute information on how tough it will be to get to the track, give them an app so they can find their parking area and tell them to be patient and nice to parking attendants and police. We had more people attending back in the 80's and 90's and you didnt have to tell them anything. Everyone knew it was gonna be tough to get in and out and planned for it.
It is interesting isn't it? The first race of any kind I ever attended was at Portland International for a CART event. I waited 3.5 hours to get to I5 North to get home. I could see the freeway. Just couldn't get to it. I didn't care. I had just seen Al Unser Jr. drive. Just soaked it in. What's the hurry?
 
How soft has our society become? We have to distribute information on how tough it will be to get to the track, give them an app so they can find their parking area and tell them to be patient and nice to parking attendants and police. We had more people attending back in the 80's and 90's and you didnt have to tell them anything. Everyone knew it was gonna be tough to get in and out and planned for it.
I think it’s more or less how mean people have become, people are downright verbally absuive.
 
I think it’s more or less how mean people have become, people are downright verbally absuive.
I agree with this. I hate it. Just ****** be nice. Should be in the RF Terms of Use.
 
I seriously want to learn how to drive those in iRacing. It looks so darn fun and stressful at the same time, but I can't figure out corner entry in any dirt type of sim to throw it sideways without losing all my momentum. Then again, I've lost my mojo on pavement too so... :biggrin:
I bought Aircraft Sim and I'm learning to fly Multiple aircraft and its a blast. I'm working my way up to fly the 787 Dreamliner next
 
It is interesting isn't it? The first race of any kind I ever attended was at Portland International for a CART event. I waited 3.5 hours to get to I5 North to get home. I could see the freeway. Just couldn't get to it. I didn't care. I had just seen Al Unser Jr. drive. Just soaked it in. What's the hurry?
Before I got in to the sport I would go to races everywhere, some had tremendous access and others were terrible. Rockingham was awful, 2 lanes in and out. We didnt even think about getting in the car after the race, we just tailgated again for a couple of hours and let it thin out but even after 2 hours it was bad. We did find a short cut through the woods but you really didnt care about your car if you decided to take it. But we didnt care, we knew what to expect and prepared, we had plenty of beer, dont worry we had a DD
 
And would stopping 2 or 3 times this weekend for track repairs that take 20 minutes really be a huge inconvenience??? This stuff happens (Dover, Martinsville, Daytona with JPM all off the top of my head).
I was at Martinsville and it was a lot more than 20 minutes. Closer to an hour.
 
I think it’s more or less how mean people have become, people are downright verbally absuive.
Indeed. A recent example:

“ I never thought I'd see a Pre-Race thread for a CUP RACE AT NORTH WILKESBORO!!! Holy moly. Also heres a big FU, Suck it and dunk on your face to those who said:
-Time to Move On
-You're Living in the Past
-This again....
-This fanbase cant accept change
-I hope the place rots away.
Suck it, Suck It, Suck it.”
 
Indeed. A recent example:

“ I never thought I'd see a Pre-Race thread for a CUP RACE AT NORTH WILKESBORO!!! Holy moly. Also heres a big FU, Suck it and dunk on your face to those who said:
-Time to Move On
-You're Living in the Past
-This again....
-This fanbase cant accept change
-I hope the place rots away.
Suck it, Suck It, Suck it.”
Well that looks downright familiar.
 
I'm sure you meant it nicely, but that it just didn't come across that way on the Internet.
Well folks all around the social media's were just as rude when the topic was brought up about NWB being brought back . I dont have receipts obviously but lurking on reddit, facebook and even comments on magazine sites I go on like Racer.com, that was there as well as interactions here about NWB. My comment was more tongue in cheek, but there was some real gusto behind it, which I will not apologize for. Now would I be unsurely to a person parking me, helping me navigate traffic at a race track or at a retail setting? No. Those people have tough jobs, I would hope thats pretty clear my demeanor here vs real life, are somewhat different. How I talk and interact on here is pretty same as in my real life dealings, but sometimes I get a bit bolder. No disrespect perceived to anyone I hope
 
Well, I'm on record here multiple times as saying I didn't think it would happen and that hoping for it was a waste of time. I maintain SMI would have continued to let it rot if the government hadn't targeted the money.

That doesn't mean I didn't want the track come back, that I hope it fails, or that I wouldn't possibly attend a race there in the future.
 
I saw a number of the Late Model guys talking last night about how they spent more time fixing their cars from stuff coming up than working on speed. Grille openings to be fixed, brake ducts, etc. Really hoping this turns out not to be as much of an issue as it seems it could be.

 
Well, I'm on record here multiple times as saying I didn't think it would happen and that hoping for it was a waste of time. I maintain SMI would have continued to let it rot if the government hadn't targeted the money.

That doesn't mean I didn't want the track come back, that I hope it fails, or that I wouldn't possibly attend a race there in the future.
I agree with everything here, getting a huge chunk of money more than helped. I've never found our interactions to be antagonistic either.
 
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