Guaranteed Lead Changes

[HardScrabble]

Though it is not the yardstick by which I measure the excitement of a race, it is an interesting approach. Can't recall that I've ever seen this type of deal in WC racing. Did have a deal many years ago for baseball fans in Atlanta. The Braves were bad, real bad and if ya bought one ticket it was good for any game from then til the Braves won. BUt I digress, the racing deal is:

Atlanta Guarantee's 30-Lead Changes in October:

Over the last 10 NASCAR Winston Cup races, Atlanta Motor Speedway has averaged 26.3 lead changes per race; in the March MBNA America 500 at Atlanta, drivers recorded 34 official lead changes, more than any race to date this season. AMS President Ed Clark is so confident that the fans will see yet another race chock full of competitive racing and lead changes that he’s offering a guarantee. Clark is guaranteeing there will be at least 30 lead changes in the Oct. 27 NAPA 500. Should there be less, for every lead change under 30, fans will have the opportunity to subtract $1 from their ticket price for one of next year’s Winston Cup races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, scheduled for March 9 and Oct. 26.

With as many as 135,000 grandstand and infield ticket buyers expected, the guarantee could mean a discount for a significant number of fans attending 2003 events. And should the NAPA 500 not live up to its claim, fans have until Dec. 31 to return their used 2002 NAPA 500 ticket stubs to the ticket office and apply the dollar amount to a ticket for one of next year’s races. The event must be run the full 325-lap distance to take advantage of this offer. But to be eligible for this guarantee, fans must attend the Oct. 27 NEW NAPA 500. Tickets are available in most grandstands with great seats starting as low as $30 for this exciting new lineup of races.

 

[paul]

What do you use to judge a race's excitement?

 

[HardScrabble]

Intensity.

Use last nights race for an example. Very few lead changes, but did ya really care? Lots of intensity, in this case in the form of pushing and shoving, plus ya had newer tires vs older tires, faster cars moving to the front from the back. A points leader overcoming adversity to cop a decent finish and hold the lead. Tempers and emotions overflowing everywhere from cars one or two laps down to victory lane.

Intensity can involve only one car and driver. BE's run to the lead from close to two laps down at Dega in '85.

Once watched Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson battle door to door and nose to tail for what seemed like forever at Atlanta. But the lead wasn't changing hands.

Every race, without exception, has it somewhere. The levels vary and it might not be obvious on TV, but its there somewhere. Mebbe the "Drama" commercials have the right idea. There's always drama, it just isn't always fast paced or at the front of the pack.

Of course you have to remember you're talking to guy who still gets goose bumps at "Gentlemen, Start your engines!!"