Bruton Smith says lack of cautions 'damaging to our sport'

AndyMarquisLive said:
Cautions don't matter though. 10 laps in to a run on these cookie cutter tracks and the field is already spread out. Does anyone remember that god awful Brickyard race when they had to throw competition cautions every 10 laps?
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The spread out field is nothing new though. It didn't start even with the COT. That's been the norm for as long as racing has been around. The racing today is closer than it's ever been. I think the only way that a majority of the fans are going to be happy is if they run side by side for the entire length of the race.

The Brickyard fiasco was a safety deal after the track was ground. Tires wouldn't last the duration of a run and they were afraid of the ramifications of that. It was one of the worst races in the history of the sport. Anyone that attended that should have been entitled a full refund plus expenses.
 
I would enjoy long green flag runs if these 400 and 500 mile races had the elements of endurance racing such as tire wear. Hell, if the tires gave off time in a run, it might cut back on the fuel mileage strategy. How often does someone clock their fastest time of a race 30 laps in to a green flag run?

NASCAR has also put the teams in such a tight box that there's nothing you can do to adjust the cars for performance. So the car that unloads off the truck the fastest ends up being the fastest car.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The spread out field is nothing new though. It didn't start even with the COT. That's been the norm for as long as racing has been around. The racing today is closer than it's ever been. I think the only way that a majority of the fans are going to be happy is if they run side by side for the entire length of the race.

The Brickyard fiasco was a safety deal after the track was ground. Tires wouldn't last the duration of a run and they were afraid of the ramifications of that. It was one of the worst races in the history of the sport. Anyone that attended that should have been entitled a full refund plus expenses.
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I think the COT produced better racing in 2009 than the old car. But all the drivers whined and complained about the car and it was too loose and too tight and NASCAR made a ton of changes. I think 2009, 2010 and even 2011 produced some solid racing. The racing this year has sucked (and my local tracks get rained out every. single. week).

Every time the drivers complain about the cars, they make them more aerodynamic which results in boring racing. I'd like to see them tear off the splitter and make adjustments to the cars to make them less aerodynamic. Then, put more of it in the hands of the teams. And produce tires that give off. And if the drivers whine about not being able to just cruise around all race long, well, eff them.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Not all of us. Some of us still enjoy the racing and attending races.
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Damn right and thats most of us not some, the definition of diehard means the good times and the not so good times are still Freakin Great. You want to see dumb and boring go watch soccer.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Every time the drivers complain about the cars, they make them more aerodynamic which results in boring racing. I'd like to see them tear off the splitter and make adjustments to the cars to make them less aerodynamic. Then, put more of it in the hands of the teams. And produce tires that give off. And if the drivers whine about not being able to just cruise around all race long, well, eff them.
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Heck, I'd just like to wait and see what we have next season. Right now it would be like trying to put a dress on a pig.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
The spread out field is nothing new though. It didn't start even with the COT. That's been the norm for as long as racing has been around. The racing today is closer than it's ever been. I think the only way that a majority of the fans are going to be happy is if they run side by side for the entire length of the race.

The Brickyard fiasco was a safety deal after the track was ground. Tires wouldn't last the duration of a run and they were afraid of the ramifications of that. It was one of the worst races in the history of the sport. Anyone that attended that should have been entitled a full refund plus expenses.
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As for the field being spread out, yeah it's always been part of racing. But the tires used to also give off making some cars good on short runs and other cars good on long runs. So, it was no guarantee when someone took off to a 10 second lead that they could hold it. Now, the tires don't give off at all, so much so that drivers have run two and three stints on the same tires, and the car that takes off on a short run is clocking the same exact lap times 35 laps in to a long run.
 
Really, if I was a betting man, I would bet they could run these tires they've run all year at Rockingham for an entire fuel stint and have minimal tire wear.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
As for the field being spread out, yeah it's always been part of racing. But the tires used to also give off making some cars good on short runs and other cars good on long runs. So, it was no guarantee when someone took off to a 10 second lead that they could hold it. Now, the tires don't give off at all, so much so that drivers have run two and three stints on the same tires, and the car that takes off on a short run is clocking the same exact lap times 35 laps in to a long run.
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How bad do you think that it's gotta suck to be told that you're doing your job too well? :D Years ago people needed tires that would last as safety was being sacrificed for need for speed. Now we seem to need the opposite. It's a never ending battle.
 
Maybe it is just me but I am fed up, with fed up.



It ain't that bad, and it is never going to be perfect. You will have good and bad races, you just have to remember the good times and keep the good times data base more satisfied.



Speaking of satisfied what Nascar needs is high heeled scantily clad trophy queens. Every time a winners trophy is presented, plus flag girls that have good moves while waving the flags, and pace cars with a strippers pole built on the deck lid.



When the races are going slow, the eye candy will keep the dogs howling. It is common sense almost every sport has them in the form of cheerleaders, ball girls, card girls in boxing etc. Even the local news makes sure to have an attractive woman reading the news, the idea is a standard in most media presentations.



Nascar needs to get with it, it is the Christian decent thing to do.
 
Greg said:
Speaking of satisfied what Nascar needs is high heeled scantily clad trophy queens. Every time a winners trophy is presented, plus flag girls that have good moves while waving the flags, and pace cars with a strippers pole built on the deck lid.
.
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Will you be happy with a truck?
SANY0982.jpg
 
Greg said:
Maybe it is just me but I am fed up, with fed up.



It ain't that bad, and it is never going to be perfect. You will have good and bad races, you just have to remember the good times and keep the good times data base more satisfied.



Speaking of satisfied what Nascar needs is high heeled scantily clad trophy queens. Every time a winners trophy is presented, plus flag girls that have good moves while waving the flags, and pace cars with a strippers pole built on the deck lid.



When the races are going slow, the eye candy will keep the dogs howling. It is common sense almost every sport has them in the form of cheerleaders, ball girls, card girls in boxing etc. Even the local news makes sure to have an attractive woman reading the news, the idea is a standard in most media presentations.



Nascar needs to get with it, it is the Christian decent thing to do.
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I want to see one of the drivers grab the Sprint girl and just make out with them.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
How bad do you think that it's gotta suck to be told that you're doing your job too well? :D Years ago people needed tires that would last as safety was being sacrificed for need for speed. Now we seem to need the opposite. It's a never ending battle.
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Right on DP. Goodyear needs to build tires that are first SAFE and second good for MARKETING . If Goodyear builds tires that fail , folks like us won't buy them . If they build tires that cause our favorite drivers to wreck ,we will have their heads . I'd say , they are doing the best they can.
 
I don't think that auto racing by it's very nature has the ability to satiate the younger, petulant, me generation. I just don't see how a Nascar race can please those who complain about the pre-race shows to post-race driver interviews and 99% of that in between :confused:

Don't get me wrong as I complain as well but eventually Nascar is just going to have to say "take it or leave it" as they cannot please every whining SOB out there. Then, we can make our choice to accept it for what it is or move along to something more stimulating.
 
#17D500winner said:
I don't think that auto racing by it's very nature has the ability to satiate the younger, petulant, me generation. I just don't see how a Nascar race can please those who complain about the pre-race shows to post-race driver interviews and 99% of that in between :confused:

Don't get me wrong as I complain as well but eventually Nascar is just going to have to say "take it or leave it" as they cannot please every whining SOB out there. Then, we can make our choice to accept it for what it is or move along to something more stimulating.
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Look at the stands and TV ratings. They lost a ton of fans, and are finally making changes to get some back. Complaining works.
 
I don't think that change is what young people want . Yeah , they bitch and complain to their moms about everything but , in the end , what they want most is stability . One of the things that Nascar offers is stabilty , lack of change . Same tracks , same drivers , same rules , and a dominent governing body that enforces those rules . I think Nascar should stop giving in to the petulant whiners.
 
We are not the original generation. They were just happy to get to see a race. We need so much more.



We grew up with it too easy, and don't have the same fan grit. Not blaming anyone just the evolution of things. If we could time machine back the travelers would be just as unhappy.



Personallys, I will skip the time machine. But a time machine thing to take unhappy fans back would be wonderful. At least 80 percent would be men, therefore creating a current shortage of men. Which in turn would leave more available women.



So it all ends well.
 
ted@economy said:
I don't think that change is what young people want . Yeah , they bitch and complain to their moms about everything but , in the end , what they want most is stability . One of the things that Nascar offers is stabilty , lack of change . Same tracks , same drivers , same rules , and a dominent governing body that enforces those rules . I think Nascar should stop giving in to the petulant whiners.
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I think you are wrong here. The young people I know who are into cars don't care about NASCAR because they can't relate to the product. There are a lot of twenty something gear-heads out there. They drive Hondas, Ford Fiestas, Ford Focus, Subaru WRXs, Chevy Cobalts (not so much, but they are out there), and so one. What they don't drive is Ford Fusions, Ford Mustangs, and Chevy Impalas. Those are for "old people"
 
sloggie said:
I think you are wrong here. The young people I know who are into cars don't care about NASCAR because they can't relate to the product. There are a lot of twenty something gear-heads out there. They drive Hondas, Ford Fiestas, Ford Focus, Subaru WRXs, Chevy Cobalts (not so much, but they are out there), and so one. What they don't drive is Ford Fusions, Ford Mustangs, and Chevy Impalas. Those are for "old people"
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Well said. I do think the Mustang and Charger appeal to a slightly younger crowd too. There is no stock left in stock car racing.
 
sloggie said:
....... Hondas, Ford Fiestas, Ford Focus, Subaru WRXs, Chevy Cobalts (not so much, but they are out there), and so one. What they don't drive is Ford Fusions, Ford Mustangs, and Chevy Impalas. Those are for "old people"
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So , what are you suggesting ? Nascar race Fiestas and Focus' and Subarus ?
 
buckaroo said:
Yes, the racing is better than it ever has been, but at what cost?
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How can you say the racing is better than it ever was? The amount of complaining and you yourself saying it is boring...you are contradicting yourself. If the racing was so great the seats would be full, people wouldn't be just tuning in to see the last 30 laps of a race, and Nascar wouldn't of had to impose the Chase upon us to try to compete for ratings with the NFL.
 
SST55 said:
The 358 today is producing more hp than the 427's of the old days. Add in that cars are no longer shaped like a brick and is it any wonder they're pack racing at 200+ mph? Na$car gets antsy when speeds hit over 200. Next will be a freakin drag chute.
IMHO a there won't be much difference if a car goes in the stands at 200 or 175 mph.

Go to the 302, no splitter, minimum spoiler, a car that can be easiliy recognized as a ford,chevy,dodge etc and a tire that while safe gives up. OHCs I'm not so sure about.
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Been saying this for 10 years now, that way no plates would be needed either.
 
sloggie said:
2.0 Liter Turbocharged engines that Run E85. They would actually be relevant compared to today's cars. Will never happen though.
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E85 is a proposterous joke , a political ploy that Nascar bought into.
 
Mopardh9 said:
How can you say the racing is better than it ever was? The amount of complaining and you yourself saying it is boring...you are contradicting yourself. If the racing was so great the seats would be full, people wouldn't be just tuning in to see the last 30 laps of a race, and Nascar wouldn't of had to impose the Chase upon us to try to compete for ratings with the NFL.
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Okay, the racing sucks and the majority of the fans think it so. Old foggy "real race fans" believe it's better, but other old "real race fans" find the excitement is lacking. Even the plate races are less exciting than in the past. Let's face it, what one fan thinks is great racing, another fan thinks it's boring. Where might you fit Mopar? You like these caution less races? And let me ask you one more question. Let's say you are a gazillionaire and you have just purchased, oh, let's say Kansas Speedway. How are you going to get people to flock into your track to see the "great racing" of today? If you are going to do anything like they are today, you'll lose your butt. BTW, who's definition of "great racing" are we going to agree on or who are "real race fans"?

Whether those "real race fans" believe it or not, just check out the local scenes. If a promoter penalizes drivers for rough driving, who does that help draw in the fans? What would you do if your races were mostly a follow the leader show? Many of the local tracks have done things to boost their fan base, one of which is double file restarts with a cone where the cars line up single file according to the order they are when the caution came out. When they signal one lap to go, they put a cone out at the S/F line and as the cars go past the cone, they choose to either go to the inside or outside. That one idea has helped get fans back into their seats for the last few years. Several tracks have began using this tactic and it works fine. Of course NASCAR has a double file restart and that was a win win idea, but only a beginning.
 
Mike Croley said:
The problem is with the new fans , they aren't watching because of the racing or the sounds or even the drivers . NASCAR has dumbed down stock car racing to the point that it's even boring to the die hard fans . The new fans attending an event , they're not sure what they're supposed to be paying attention to . So Bruton feels the show needs to be improved .
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I watch RACING, Bruton wants a show because it's like KIM KARDASHIAN F*****G the D-MAN and making $30 Million a year beacuse she is desirable.

I want RACING, not a show that reminds me of the WWF or something FAKE.

Even F1 is manipulating itself to make more TVmoney. The DRS zone was cute, now it's a bunch of HOOEY.
 
buckaroo said:
Okay, the racing sucks and the majority of the fans think it so. Old foggy "real race fans" believe it's better, but other old "real race fans" find the excitement is lacking. Even the plate races are less exciting than in the past. Let's face it, what one fan thinks is great racing, another fan thinks it's boring. Where might you fit Mopar? You like these caution less races? And let me ask you one more question. Let's say you are a gazillionaire and you have just purchased, oh, let's say Kansas Speedway. How are you going to get people to flock into your track to see the "great racing" of today? If you are going to do anything like they are today, you'll lose your butt. BTW, who's definition of "great racing" are we going to agree on or who are "real race fans"?

Whether those "real race fans" believe it or not, just check out the local scenes. If a promoter penalizes drivers for rough driving, who does that help draw in the fans? What would you do if your races were mostly a follow the leader show? Many of the local tracks have done things to boost their fan base, one of which is double file restarts with a cone where the cars line up single file according to the order they are when the caution came out. When they signal one lap to go, they put a cone out at the S/F line and as the cars go past the cone, they choose to either go to the inside or outside. That one idea has helped get fans back into their seats for the last few years. Several tracks have began using this tactic and it works fine. Of course NASCAR has a double file restart and that was a win win idea, but only a beginning.
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Like many have said here the car is the main thing that needs to be changed. Make it more stock, a lot more stock, put more adjustability into it for the crew chiefs to play around with. Get rid of the damn splitter already, make the cars less aero dependent, slow them down like SST said with smaller engines. And get rid of the damn Chase already. Nascar relys way too much on gimmicks to attract fans these days.....well guess what it isn't working!
 
Bill Elliott is racing this weekend . I think there should be a cone or a gimmick that would put him up front . He would show those kids how to race for the win. He isn't racing for points either , he'll be going for the win .Maybe they could reverse the qualifying order. :D
 
ted@economy said:
Bill Elliott is racing this weekend . I think there should be a cone or a gimmick that would put him up front . He would show those kids how to race for the win. He isn't racing for points either , he'll be going for the win .Maybe they could reverse the qualifying order. :D
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Who is he driving for?
 
ted@economy said:
So , what are you suggesting ? Nascar race Fiestas and Focus' and Subarus ?
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It's a great question. I don't think NASCAR is capable of changing the way it needs to in order to appeal to the young fans. Did you catch the X-Games Rally cross? They would have to do something like that, which simply isn't going to happen.
 
sloggie said:
It's a great question. I don't think NASCAR is capable of changing the way it needs to in order to appeal to the young fans. Did you catch the X-Games Rally cross? They would have to do something like that, which simply isn't going to happen.
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Maybe ,(like Nascar ) ,I'm too old to change . I just think that fans don't need baseball to change to enjoy it . Fans don't need golf to change to enjoy it . Why do fans need Nascar to change to enjoy it ? Damn , things are hard to understand when you get old .
 
Bruton Smith. Love or hate this guy, he's a PR guru. Every time he gets a mic at one of his events, he opens his mouth and creates controversy. This story is all the rage on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio these days.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Bruton Smith. Love or hate this guy, he's a PR guru. Every time he gets a mic at one of his events, he opens his mouth and creates controversy. This story is all the rage on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio these days.
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The problem is, it reinforces the WWE stereotype.
 
Ah for 'back in the day ' . We had single file racing , we just thought the guy behind wasn't fast enough to catch the guy in front . We had commercials , but didn't know we should count them . We had a points system , but didn't know it was important . We had a chase , but it was a whole year long . We had start and parks , but they were just guys trying to get their stuff together . We had aero issues , but we didn't know they were what was causing the slower cars not being able to pass. We had son and brothers and country stars and football coaches racing , but we didn't know they didn't deserve to be there . Blissful ignorance , I call it. We used to just turn on the TV and enjoy the race...now we need little red cones to make the racing better ?
 
ted@economy said:
Ah for 'back in the day ' . We had single file racing , we just thought the guy behind wasn't fast enough to catch the guy in front . We had commercials , but didn't know we should count them . We had a points system , but didn't know it was important . We had a chase , but it was a whole year long . We had start and parks , but they were just guys trying to get their stuff together . We had aero issues , but we didn't know they were what was causing the slower cars not being able to pass. We had son and brothers and country stars and football coaches racing , but we didn't know they didn't deserve to be there . Blissful ignorance , I call it. We used to just turn on the TV and enjoy the race...now we need little red cones to make the racing better ?
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An awful lot of truth in that post. :cool:
 
Some very good thoughts posted . And it's good to see so many loyal NASCAR followers , i'm one of them . But it's very easy to see that the NASCAR popularity began to nose dive about 10 years ago and the empty grandstands and flat / decreasing tv ratings are witness to that . So the big question is why.
First , i don't pay any attention to the pre-race tv shows or the post race tv shows . In fact , with a few exceptions , i don't pay much attention to the tv analysts during the race either . They mostly just enjoy the sound of their own voice . And the pit reporters seem to feel it's their responsibility to stir up controversy , not really present meaningful information . I prefer to watch the race and listen to the sound of the engines , period . Everything else is a distraction . I've been attending races of all kinds since the 1960s , so i've got some background . From talking to other race fans ( old time race fans ) i think they agree , they want more racing and less fluff . That's one reason some of the long time fans have been driven off .
The younger fans can't relate to the current NASCAR race cars , except for the trucks . Those cars don't resemble anything on the streets , and many of the most popular car brands today aren't represented at all . For the first 40 years of NASCAR , the cars and the drivers were the show . Could the Hudson Hornet 6 cyl. beat the new Chevy V8 , can the Boss 429 Ford beat the Hemi ? Was Bill Elliots' T-bird as fast as the Monte Carlo . Along with the driving personalities of the time , that's what got the fans energized . Now we have the cars that are identical except for the headlight decals . I'd be willing to bet that not one Toyota is sold on Monday because a Toyota won on Sunday . Not one .
 
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