Chicago kicks off Chase in 2011

I think this is a good move. Assuming the rest of the Chase events stay the same this would make Chicago, Kansas, and Homestead the only tracks in the Chase that the Sprint Cup visits only once a year.

Having the opening round of the Chase at such a track is a great move, and will mix things up. Especially since few drivers are consistant at the track.

I'll definately be attending next year.
 
Good idea unless the Bears are playing at home that day. They will be missing half of the track workers if that ever happens.
 
At least they picked a track where Jimmie Johnson doesn't dominate to add to the Chase. I mean in 9 Cup starts he only has 5 top 5's, 7 top 10's, & 1 pole. 0 wins. Maybe there is a chance. :rolleyes:
 
foehammer111 said:
I think this is a good move. Assuming the rest of the Chase events stay the same this would make Chicago, Kansas, and Homestead the only tracks in the Chase that the Sprint Cup visits only once a year.
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Kansas is supposed to get a second date.
 
It's starting to look like this is going to be the schedule for 2011:

Feb. 20 Daytona
Feb. 27 Phoenix
Mar. 6 Las Vegas
Mar. 20 Bristol
Mar. 27 Martinsville
Apr. 3 California
Apr. 10 Texas
Apr. 17 Talladega
Apr. 30 Richmond
May 8 Darlington
May 15 Dover
May 29 Charlotte
June 5 Kansas
June 12 Michigan
June 19 Sonoma
June 26 Pocono
July 2 Daytona
July 9 Kentucky
July 17 New Hampshire
July 31 Indianapolis
Aug. 7 Pocono
Aug. 14 Watkins Glen
Aug. 21Michigan
Aug. 27 Bristol
Sept. 4 Atlanta
Sept. 10 Richmond
Sept. 18 Chicago
Sept. 25 New Hampshire
Oct. 2 Dover
Oct. 9 Kansas
Oct. 15 Charlotte
Oct. 23 Martinsville
Oct. 30 Talladega
Nov. 6 Texas
Nov. 13 Phoenix
Nov. 20 Homestead

It's been noted that California may go between Bristol and Martinsville. With Martinsville supposedly confirmed for March 27, that would mean Bristol would be March 13 (still a little too early in the year), California on March 20, and off date on April 3 and again on April 24 for Easter. So I'm sticking with California coming after Martinsville. Myself, I'd rather see California on March 20, Martinsville March 27, and Bristol April 3.
 
It is stupid having Martinsville and Bristol races in March when there is always a chance of snow and cold weather.
 
Guido said:
It is stupid having Martinsville and Bristol races in March when there is always a chance of snow and cold weather.
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Not going to work at all, need to race those in late April like they used to be.
 
Guido said:
It is stupid having Martinsville and Bristol races in March when there is always a chance of snow and cold weather.
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You're right. I'm not sure about the end game for Bristol BUT I think I can see what the plan is for Martinsville... Rockingham all over again.

You take a track in what NA__AR considers a poor market and put dates at the track when you have the best chance of inclement weather, which will keep fans away. The attendance is poor for the race weekend and NA__AR makes a statement that it is in the best interest of the sport to more the race to a bigger market because, quite obviously, the track can't sell out. Then, stand by for yet another cookie-cutter track.

The problem for NA__AR is that Rockingham is fresh in a lot of folk's minds and though they didn't see NA__AR's plan for The Rock, they'll see through it for Martinsville (I hope).
 
John Galt said:
You're right. I'm not sure about the end game for Bristol BUT I think I can see what the plan is for Martinsville... Rockingham all over again.

You take a track in what NA__AR considers a poor market and put dates at the track when you have the best chance of inclement weather, which will keep fans away. The attendance is poor for the race weekend and NA__AR makes a statement that it is in the best interest of the sport to more the race to a bigger market because, quite obviously, the track can't sell out. Then, stand by for yet another cookie-cutter track.

The problem for NA__AR is that Rockingham is fresh in a lot of folk's minds and though they didn't see NA__AR's plan for The Rock, they'll see through it for Martinsville (I hope).
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I never saw that end of the conspiracy, but it may be part of the problem. But as for Rockingham, it always had bad race dates. I have been at the rock in October and been burning up, and been there in Febuary and froze my arse off.
 
Last night a local news sportscaster was talking about how this is a huge mistake because the race will be going up directly against the Bears home game. Except that he's stupid because the 2011 schedule hasn't been released yet. Yeah, there's a chance they could be going up against a Bears home game. But it's 50/50 that it could also be an away game. There's also a chance it could be a bye week.

Also, that's assuming the Bears don't suck like they usually do. The Bears are starting to have problems selling tickets. Chicago fans are very much of the fair weather variety. No one here gave a damn about the Blackhawks until they made it into the Finals. Then it's "Whoooo! Go Hawks! Hawks rule!" :rolleyes:

In any case, having the chance to be the first race of the Chase is too big of an opportunity to pass up. I'm just surprised they decided to make it a day race again. Night racing seemed to work pretty well for Chicago.
 
foehammer111 said:
I'm just surprised they decided to make it a day race again. Night racing seemed to work pretty well for Chicago.
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SNR was reporting this morning that this is because of ESPN. ESPN will be 'full throttle' into college football then. Not my words, theirs.
 
I still say Vegas should get a second date and let them kick off the Chase. Talk about a bang!
 
John Galt said:
You're right. I'm not sure about the end game for Bristol BUT I think I can see what the plan is for Martinsville... Rockingham all over again.

You take a track in what NA__AR considers a poor market and put dates at the track when you have the best chance of inclement weather, which will keep fans away. The attendance is poor for the race weekend and NA__AR makes a statement that it is in the best interest of the sport to more the race to a bigger market because, quite obviously, the track can't sell out. Then, stand by for yet another cookie-cutter track.

The problem for NA__AR is that Rockingham is fresh in a lot of folk's minds and though they didn't see NA__AR's plan for The Rock, they'll see through it for Martinsville (I hope).
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You are probably onto something here. But I sure hope this isn't the case. As many have probably read in my posts before, I love matinsville! It is my favorite race to visit by far! I will take it over Bristol anyday! The first time I want to Martinsville was a March race and it was so cold that I thought I thought my rear may be frozen to the stands! It was brutally cold. I went the next March and it was a very comfortable day. I think the best one to go to is the October race, however. Weather seems to be a little better overall.
 
Gordon_Fan24 said:
You are probably onto something here. But I sure hope this isn't the case. As many have probably read in my posts before, I love matinsville! It is my favorite race to visit by far! I will take it over Bristol anyday! The first time I want to Martinsville was a March race and it was so cold that I thought I thought my rear may be frozen to the stands! It was brutally cold. I went the next March and it was a very comfortable day. I think the best one to go to is the October race, however. Weather seems to be a little better overall.
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One fall race I witnessed Ricky Rudd win as Owner/Driver it was 92 degrees in October. Very hot for fall, Ricky was a wupped pup after the race. He sat down in the shade of his car and they did the post race interview from the ground.
 
I wonder how many other drivers needed the mask?

I don't like the heat but if Spencer can run at Daytona in July or Martinsville during a heat wave and not keel over, I can handle a setting in the stands for a few hours :D
 
GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN said:
One fall race I witnessed Ricky Rudd win as Owner/Driver it was 92 degrees in October. Very hot for fall, Ricky was a wupped pup after the race. He sat down in the shade of his car and they did the post race interview from the ground.
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Not to pick a nit but I think the race in question was in September, toward the middle or the end, but you're right. It was usually hot for that time of year. I remember that he almost collapsed and did the Victory lane interview sitting on the ground beside his car. I want to say that there was an EMT hereby offering him oxygen, but I might be confusing that race with another?

I lived up the road from Martinsville (Vinton, VA) for three years and as i recall the March date is really "Iffy," weather-wise. When I lived there (85-88) the Spring race was held the last week of April and the weather was just about perfect. I still maintain that NA__AR is using the same technique they used to justify dumping Rockingham for causing one of the best tracks (and the oldest and most improved!) to give up a race in favor of one of the beloved and uber exciting, cookie-cutter 1½-milers. It's a shame.
 
foehammer111 said:
Last night a local news sportscaster was talking about how this is a huge mistake because the race will be going up directly against the Bears home game. Except that he's stupid because the 2011 schedule hasn't been released yet. Yeah, there's a chance they could be going up against a Bears home game. But it's 50/50 that it could also be an away game. There's also a chance it could be a bye week.

Also, that's assuming the Bears don't suck like they usually do. The Bears are starting to have problems selling tickets. Chicago fans are very much of the fair weather variety. No one here gave a damn about the Blackhawks until they made it into the Finals. Then it's "Whoooo! Go Hawks! Hawks rule!" :rolleyes:

In any case, having the chance to be the first race of the Chase is too big of an opportunity to pass up. I'm just surprised they decided to make it a day race again. Night racing seemed to work pretty well for Chicago.
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When NASCAR and the NFL had a partnership, of sorts, when Joe Gibbs first came into NASCAR, the NFL did not schedule and home games in similar markets when NASCAR came to town. But ever since NASCAR made it a point to compete with the NFL in the fall, the NFL has scheduled against them whenever they could. There has usually been a Chiefs home game when NASCAR has been in Kansas. This year is the exception as the Chiefs have an open date that weekend. We'll see what the NFL does next year with the Bears when NASCAR kicks off the Chase there.
 
MRM said:
When NASCAR and the NFL had a partnership, of sorts, when Joe Gibbs first came into NASCAR, the NFL did not schedule and home games in similar markets when NASCAR came to town. But ever since NASCAR made it a point to compete with the NFL in the fall, the NFL has scheduled against them whenever they could. There has usually been a Chiefs home game when NASCAR has been in Kansas. This year is the exception as the Chiefs have an open date that weekend. We'll see what the NFL does next year with the Bears when NASCAR kicks off the Chase there.
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And ESPN doesn't want NASCAR on Saturday Nights because of College Football.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
And ESPN doesn't want NASCAR on Saturday Nights because of College Football.
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Sounds like ABC/ESPN needs to get kicked to the curb if they wan't to play favorites. They haven't done NASCAR any favors lately. 2 years ago they stopped showing the Phoenix chase race early so they could air reruns of America's Funniest Videos. Then a couple weeks ago they missed the first 30 minutes of the race so they could finish showing a tennis match.

Give it to someone who actually wants it like CBS, NBC, FOX, or even Speed.

:espnsux:
 
NASCAR pales in popularity to college football. You cant fault ESPN for going with their moneymaker.
 
Looks like when the schedule comes out any time that mine was close other than a couple of races. I had Martinsville and California backward and the first Texas race will be on Saturday night. I guess Fox pushed for that since they no longer have the Phoenix night race.
 
Spike said:
NASCAR pales in popularity to college football. You cant fault ESPN for going with their moneymaker.
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NASCAR is far more popular than tennis, and nobody watched AFV ever since the invention of YouTube. Yet NASCAR gets kicked to the curb for both. :rolleyes:

ESPN bought rights to NASCAR so they could use it to advertise all their other sports.
 
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