How about NASCAR celebrating Podium finishes?

Skoalbandit33 said:
Thanks for the reminder as it had slipped my mind that Dale had passed. Regardless it doesn't change the fact that second place is just the first loser and maybe if podium finishes are adopted participation ribbons could be given to the rest of the top 10.
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If podium awards are accepted by nascar, second place would still be the first loser.
 
I'd keep it for open-wheel racing traditions IMHO.

In F1 I love seeing podiums of guys who are not up there often, its pretty cool to see. I remember Kamui Koboyashi's podium in 2012, you could really feel the emotion of the Japanese crowd that day. It was awesome, to finish in the top 3 is difficult. Just I'm not sure it would be accepted in NASCAR.

I think that's extremely unique about NASCAR to focus on just the winner, so why mess with a proper formula?
 
ChexOrWrex said:
If podium awards are accepted by nascar, second place would still be the first loser.
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Why celebrate the first and second losers? If I was a driver or athlete I would be embarrassed to be feted for anything other than winning.
 
Nitro Dude said:
I would much rather keep it as 1 winner and their car in the winners circle.
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Yeah but the way things are going they'll probably implement the "participation only trophies" like the junior sports are now. You showed up, you raced, here's ya trophy. We're all winners here.
 
Johali said:
Yeah but the way things are going they'll probably implement the "participation only trophies" like the junior sports are now. You showed up, you raced, here's ya trophy. We're all winners here.
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They will probably hand those out like 'Chase Waivers'.
 
No
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Kiante said:
I'd keep it for open-wheel racing traditions IMHO.

In F1 I love seeing podiums of guys who are not up there often, its pretty cool to see. I remember Kamui Koboyashi's podium in 2012, you could really feel the emotion of the Japanese crowd that day. It was awesome, to finish in the top 3 is difficult. Just I'm not sure it would be accepted in NASCAR.

I think that's extremely unique about NASCAR to focus on just the winner, so why mess with a proper formula?
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It not just a open wheel tradition, Japan Super Gt Series does it, I think DTM does, a lot of series do.

I am not sure I care either way, changes like this that dont have anything to do with the what happens between the green and checkered flag are ones that I can deal with more.
 
I agree that it wouldn't feel genuine to just copy this from all of the other motorsports that do it. Though if they have to copy something, I'd rather them try to copy other forms of racing than football. There's nothing wrong with it, and NASCAR isn't special and better because they don't do it. I'm not aware of any form of racing or individual sport with a podium in which the winner isn't clearly distinguished above all else. It's not reminiscent of socialism or participation trophies.

NASCAR deals in top 5s and top 10s because of the larger field. They aren't officially celebrated, but they are recognized and appreciated. There is nothing wrong with this.
 
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gnomesayin said:
I agree that it wouldn't feel genuine to just copy this from all of the other motorsports that do it. Though if they have to copy something, I'd rather them try to copy other forms of racing than football. There's nothing wrong with it, and NASCAR isn't special and better because they don't do it. I'm not aware of any form of racing or individual sport with a podium in which the winner isn't clearly distinguished above all else. It's not reminiscent of socialism or participation trophies.

NASCAR deals in top 5s and top 10s because of the larger field. They aren't officially celebrated, but they are recognized and appreciated. There is nothing wrong with this.
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I have to agree , if NASCAR is going to copy stuff, least let it be stuff from other forms of racing vs stick and ball sports.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
“Second place is just the first loser.”

Dale Earnhardt
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To me it's a dumb sentiment. It's not actually confirmed that Earnhardt originated it, it's just become a part of his legend at this point. He didn't race as if a second place or fifth place finish was meaningless and wouldn't have won a single championship if he did. Nobody actually believes it, and would rather finish second than third and so on. It's completely hollow bravado. Everybody would prefer to win.
 
gnomesayin said:
To me it's a dumb sentiment. It's not actually confirmed that Earnhardt originated it, it's just become a part of his legend at this point. He didn't race as if a second place or fifth place finish was meaningless and wouldn't have won a single championship if he did. Nobody actually believes it, and would rather finish second than third and so on. It's completely hollow bravado. Everybody would prefer to win.
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I completely agree with your comment. However, you can't have it both ways. In most forms of racing, a driver's key stats are how many wins and how many podiums. Traditionally in Nascar, it is wins, top 5s, and top 10s. I like this, because of the large field and deep competition in Cup racing. Counting podiums in Nascar would replace counting top 5s and top 10s as a practical matter, so I'm not in favor of that.
 
LewTheShoe said:
I completely agree with your comment. However, you can't have it both ways. In most forms of racing, a driver's key stats are how many wins and how many podiums. Traditionally in Nascar, it is wins, top 5s, and top 10s. I like this, because of the large field and deep competition in Cup racing. Counting podiums in Nascar would replace counting top 5s and top 10s as a practical matter, so I'm not in favor of that.
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I agree, this is pretty much where my earlier post was going.

gnomesayin said:
NASCAR deals in top 5s and top 10s because of the larger field. They aren't officially celebrated, but they are recognized and appreciated. There is nothing wrong with this.
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My idea of a Nascar Victory lane would be:
1. No burn outs. (no post race ****wood stuff, badassery is about the race not the celebration). Highlight reels should be about the race and monster energy girls, not a burn out.
2. The winner does a cool down lap and parks at the start finish line, and a mobile victory lane is set up with just a banner and a few essentials, including monster energy girls.
3. The essentials would be a good host with Ned Jarrett like qualities (a true understated stateman for Nascar, not some blowhard interested in getting his part of the spotlight). Jeff Gordon would probably be a good fit, with lots of monster energy girls, in the background.
4. The drivers wife (and monster energy girls) should be there too, they are part of the deal. Winning cup drivers get paid well, but I still think it has to be tough to be a drivers wife. They watch their husbands race at the RP tracks, and endure a long demanding schedule.
5. Monster energy girls, lots of them.

Interview the 2nd, 3rd, and the remaining driver that led the most laps, with lots of monster energy girls in the screen. They deserve the time to thank their sponsors. Others interviews should include drivers that had the most interesting race stories and monster energy girls, not necessarily who's everybodies favorite driver interview.
Becausing the best racing stories should be about what happens on the track, and the monster energy girls, not who is the coolest or most articulate driver etc...

Last of all this is just my opinion, nobody has to agree. I will still respect those that don't know whats best. Well at least I will try.
 
Me..... I like the emotion & celebrating. It's all good..... Polish victory laps to salute the fans, burnouts, back-flips, climbing the fence, drifting through the Martinsville corners, going into the stands with the fans, trophy girls, the 'hat dance', high fives, confetti, showers of champagne, sports drinks, water, etc... These things are tough to win. Each win may be their last. Celebrate like there's no tomorrow.

Podium finishes? If it takes away from most or all of the above then 'no'. If that winner still gets his moment in the spotlight and stand next to his competitors, it's fine by me. I think it would only make sense though if those three positions were rewarded in a fashion much more than the remainder of the field.
 
jws926 said:
... changes like this that dont have anything to do with the what happens between the green and checkered flag are ones that I can deal with more.
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This. Podium, no podium; it has no affect on the racing. Once the race is over, I don't care if the top 20 drivers ride around the track backwards on zoo animals.

Oh, except those Texas cap guns. The drivers just look silly and uncomfortable holding them up. :p
 
I have been a Nascar fan as long as I can remember . There was never an issue with drivers 'not trying to win ' . They always tried to get the best they could out of their crew , their car and themselves . They did better one week over another . But it wasn't from lack of trying . Other guys had better luck , crew and/or equipment on the day . Dale Sr . , Rusty and DW didn't win every week , neither did Gordon and Johnson . Doesn't mean they weren't trying to win . Their careers started off not so good , they got better , and tailed off in the later years . I remember Dale Sr saying 'second is the first loser' , it was in frustration , he wasn't some greek philosopher , it wasn't for people to live by , it was an offhand remark by a racecar driver , he was pissed . I remember some drivers saying ' Well , at least we had a good points day " . It wasn't what they wanted , it was what they were left with . It was for their race team , their fans and their sponsors . It wasn't what they were happy with, they were pissed . Seems , a lot of today's fans just don't get racing .
 
LouieLouie said:
Would love to see the podium after the ole' chrome horn is used, i.e. after the Richmond race with Carl and KB. That could be interesting.

I think all of this could really be solved with better TV coverage. Right now, they show victory lane and then immediately punt post race coverage to FS1 or NBCSN. Just interview the top 3 or 5 finishers for more than 5 seconds and show it as the original broadcast after the race.
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Isn't there a Nascar rule that says the top 5 must be available for interviews??
 
Charlie Spencer said:
They're not required to be in the same room at the same time.
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My answer is NO.
That would just be another time when the interviewers could ask stupid questions and stir the pot.
Lets stay with the one on one so Kurt can answer the questions fitting the stupidly of the reporters.
 
gnomesayin said:
To me it's a dumb sentiment. It's not actually confirmed that Earnhardt originated it, it's just become a part of his legend at this point. He didn't race as if a second place or fifth place finish was meaningless and wouldn't have won a single championship if he did. Nobody actually believes it, and would rather finish second than third and so on. It's completely hollow bravado. Everybody would prefer to win.
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To me it is an accurate statement as there is one winner and the rest can be called losers, non winners or something else that means "I did not win." Whether it was Dale or Grandma Moses that originated the statement is immaterial as it doesn't change its truth. Obviously finishing second is better than third and third better than fourth but you still are not a race winner that day. If someone wanted to fete me for something other than winning I would politely decline regardless of the desire or effort I put into the event.
 
ted@economy said:
I have been a Nascar fan as long as I can remember . There was never an issue with drivers 'not trying to win ' . They always tried to get the best they could out of their crew , their car and themselves . They did better one week over another . But it wasn't from lack of trying . Other guys had better luck , crew and/or equipment on the day . Dale Sr . , Rusty and DW didn't win every week , neither did Gordon and Johnson . Doesn't mean they weren't trying to win . Their careers started off not so good , they got better , and tailed off in the later years . I remember Dale Sr saying 'second is the first loser' , it was in frustration , he wasn't some greek philosopher , it wasn't for people to live by , it was an offhand remark by a racecar driver , he was pissed . I remember some drivers saying ' Well , at least we had a good points day " . It wasn't what they wanted , it was what they were left with . It was for their race team , their fans and their sponsors . It wasn't what they were happy with, they were pissed . Seems , a lot of today's fans just don't get racing .
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Maybe Nascar could hand out the "Brian France Trophy" for drivers that tried the hardest in each race or even better hand out a dozen of them or so.
 
As far as we know, this is not a NASCAR initiative.

Do carry on ...
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
Maybe Nascar could hand out the "Brian France Trophy" for drivers that tried the hardest in each race or even better hand out a dozen of them or so.
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In my opinion , they only need to hand out one trophy. It would make everyone ..... drivers, crews, owners, and fans happy . Season points winner . Everything else they do is window dressing and not my concern.
 
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