2018 Indianapolis -- Big Machine Vodka 400 - Pre-Race Thread

Charlie Spencer said:
Ya know those Division 2 college football teams that open their seasons at power conference D1 schools they're not suited to play, just to collect a check? That's NASCAR at Indy.
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Actually they're D1 FCS programs playing D1 FBS programs. D2 programs do play D1 FCS programs once in a while but never D1 FBS.

My alma mater, Temple lost to one (who happens to be our rival) Villanova this past weekend.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Okay, why?
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for one the track gets 10 million to have a race there, 2, the race pulls decent numbers, the Indy area TV market is strong. That being said, it is a long way from my favorite race to watch, but Nascar has to race there if you know the history of Nascar. They had "arrived" when they raced the first race there. To go back to dinky IRP/Lucas? I don't think that is going to happen.
 
This race is extremely cringe worthy. Indianapolis to me is as much about the environment/spectacle as it is the race itself. Given the recent attendance and the resulting optics it just makes me sad. I remember the tire test in '92 or '93 and obviously the first race in '94. The lead up was absolutely incredible. Never did I think the Brickyard would become what it is today. I know attendance for the 500 and Bristol are down but those races still have mojo/juice The Brickyard 400 is dead. It's the become the poster child of the downfall of NASCAR.

There's no way it can compete with opening week of the NFL. Why this isn't an off week is beyond me.
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
This race is extremely cringe worthy. Indianapolis to me is as much about the environment/spectacle as it is the race itself. Given the recent attendance and the resulting optics it just makes me sad. I remember the tire test in '92 or '93 and obviously the first race in '94. The lead up was absolutely incredible. Never did I think the Brickyard would become what it is today. I know attendance for the 500 and Bristol are down but those races still have mojo/juice The Brickyard 400 is dead. It's the become the poster child of the downfall of NASCAR.

There's no way it can compete with opening week of the NFL. Why this isn't an off week is beyond me.
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believe it are not there are some of us that don't give a rats ass about fooball. Won't miss the part timers. rah team and all that. BTW Nascar and the track are getting paid to have the race on that date.:idunno:
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
Actually they're D1 FCS programs playing D1 FBS programs. D2 programs do play D1 FCS programs once in a while but never D1 FBS.

My alma mater, Temple lost to one (who happens to be our rival) Villanova this past weekend.
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My apologies. What I know about college football organization could be spray-painted on the head of a thumb tack.
 
StandOnIt said:
believe it are not there are some of us that don't give a rats ass about fooball. Won't miss the part timers. rah team and all that. BTW Nascar and the track are getting paid to have the race on that date.:idunno:
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Well you might not care but I'm sure those have a vested interest in the balance sheets do. That's why golf is moving the PGA Championship to MAY next year. They don't want the FedEx Cup (similar to the Chase) to compete with the NFL. Obviously NASCAR has been competing with the NFL since the start and have survived. But there hasn't been an event that has struggled like the Brickyard either. Now it has to compete with opening weekend.

I personally give a rats ass about NASCAR (all auto racing), football (pro, college, high school), basketball (pro, college high school), golf, tennis (currently watching the US Open), baseball (mlb and college), hockey (college and pro). Basically I give a lot of rat's asses and time to sports...lol
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
There's no way it can compete with opening week of the NFL. Why this isn't an off week is beyond me.
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I don't find anything "cringeworthy" about the race. 50,000 people in the stands is a major success at most tracks, but makes IMS look like a ghost town. I got over that a long time ago.

Because the race is one of NASCAR's most valuable TV properties, it is an odd move to schedule against NFL Week 1. It will be a viewership factor, no doubt. There is a reason why this week on the schedule was previously the Richmond Saturday night race.
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
That's why golf is moving the PGA Championship to MAY next year. They don't want the FedEx Cup (similar to the Chase) to compete with the NFL.
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I understood them to be moving one major tournament but that the FedEx Cup (which doesn't include any of the majors) would remain where it is - late summer.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Okay, why?
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its a prestigious place, it's attendance is one of the higher on the circuit, one of the more watched races, I hate catering...but the casual fan knows Indy, It DID have one of the higher purses on the circuit but not sure now since they dont release that, the drivers want to win there and deserve an opportunity to compete there.
 
StandOnIt said:
believe it are not there are some of us that don't give a rats ass about fooball. Won't miss the part timers. rah team and all that. BTW Nascar and the track are getting paid to have the race on that date.:idunno:
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I like NFL it's one of my favorites to watch....... but I'll be watching the Brickyard 400 on Sunday. No questions asked.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I understood them to be moving one major tournament but that the FedEx Cup (which doesn't include any of the majors) would remain where it is - late summer.
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If I had my way.... the Southern 500 would be the last of the NASCAR "Major's" of the year....... I dont like the date of the Brickyard 400 wish they did Middle to end of June where the weather is still somewhat doable.
 
gnomesayin said:
I don't find anything "cringeworthy" about the race. 50,000 people in the stands is a major success at most tracks, but makes IMS look like a ghost town. I got over that a long time ago.

Because the race is one of NASCAR's most valuable TV properties, it is an odd move to schedule against NFL Week 1. It will be a viewership factor, no doubt. There is a reason why this week on the schedule was previously the Richmond Saturday night race.
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Kinda sorta wish they did a Saturday race for this date.... wasnt the Brickyard run on Saturday's the first couple of years if I am not mistaken?
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
Well you might not care but I'm sure those have a vested interest in the balance sheets do. That's why golf is moving the PGA Championship to MAY next year. They don't want the FedEx Cup (similar to the Chase) to compete with the NFL. Obviously NASCAR has been competing with the NFL since the start and have survived. But there hasn't been an event that has struggled like the Brickyard either. Now it has to compete with opening weekend.

I personally give a rats ass about NASCAR (all auto racing), football (pro, college, high school), basketball (pro, college high school), golf, tennis (currently watching the US Open), baseball (mlb and college), hockey (college and pro). Basically I give a lot of rat's asses and time to sports...lol
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how do you figure? The TV people are involved in making up the schedule, they pay Nascar and they pay the track owner their cut.:idunno:
 
Snappy D said:
If I had my way.... the Southern 500 would be the last of the NASCAR "Major's" of the year....... I dont like the date of the Brickyard 400 wish they did Middle to end of June where the weather is still somewhat doable.
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You lost me there. You care about doable weather for Indy but don't mind Darlington being an oven?

If I had my way, Darlington's single race would still be on Mother's Day when the weather was much better. But then, if I had my way, Darlington would have a race on BOTH dates.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Yep --- but a true test of not only cars and drivers, but also the fans. Been there, done that in the heat of September.
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I'm past my days of needing to be tested. I've nothing to prove to anyone. If wanting this race on Momma's Day makes me a momma's boy, I'm fine with that.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I'm past my days of needing to be tested. I've nothing to prove to anyone. If wanting this race on Momma's Day makes me a momma's boy, I'm fine with that.
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LOL Oh, I did the Mother's Day race, too. Enjoyed it immensely.
I'll admit that the Labor Day race I attended was in my far younger days. :D

But, I've strayed from the topic which is the race this weekend at Indy.
My apologies, folks.

Back on topic, I enjoy Indy. Not so much for the racing because it's somewhat hard to follow when you can't see the whole track, but for the atmosphere surrounding the race. I've had a blast every time I've been.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
You lost me there. You care about doable weather for Indy but don't mind Darlington being an oven?

If I had my way, Darlington's single race would still be on Mother's Day when the weather was much better. But then, if I had my way, Darlington would have a race on BOTH dates.
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Darlington should have two dates.....totally agree with that
 
As far as it's fallen I'll never forget the first one in 94. Was a truly great day for the sport and the final battle for the win between Gordon and Irvan was great as well.
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Johnny G said:
As far as it's fallen I'll never forget the first one in 94. Was a truly great day for the sport and the final battle for the win between Gordon and Irvan was great as well.
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Does anyone know what race the Brickyard replaced in 94 or did they just expand the schedule?
 
I’m watching the 1994 Brickyard 400,what an event. Everyone was excited for making history.......such the complete opposite today. Didn’t know Ernie Irvan was points leader this late in season over Earnhardt, Hoosier vs Goodyear was a thing, and Danny Sullivan raced in the inaugural race! ( Paul Page is vastly underrated.)
 
rd45usa said:
Just noticed that the Colts home opener is the same day. :unsure:
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And they play the Bengals. Cincinnati is usually a top 10 market for the Brickyard, so TV ratings could be pretty rough considering how many people are in Bengals/Colts country that would normally watch the race in July.
 
And they went out on the track according to car number.
I remember Rusty saying that he was taking it easy and then DE passed him like he was standing still. Determined to "lead" the first lap
at Indy. LOL
 
Radio style "each turn" announcing at the Brickyard Sunday? Lord help us. I'll wear out the mute button.
 
StandOnIt said:
they have so many people under contract, they have to find places to put them. Turn guys are only the tip of the iceberg, they will probably have three in the booth or more besides.
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That's easy, put them in the production truck and let them 'help' there.
 
My appreciation for Indy grew after visiting the track earlier this year.
 
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