Let's acknowledge the good things NASCAR has done

JJ_14

Go Briscoe!
Joined
Aug 4, 2017
Messages
2,039
Points
443
Location
Puerto Rico
NASCAR gets lots of criticism for some of their decisions. Many complain about the points system, others about the racing product. There are countless other things.

That said, NASCAR has done a lot of great things as well. A sport were cars go nearly 200 MPH hasn't seen a death in more than two decades. That's definitely something to be proud of.

Other things they've nailed:

SAFER BARRIERS - I know this isn't recent, but the implementation of safer barriers is an absolute genius move. It has saved countless lives over the years. We've seen many nasty wrecks, like Michael McDowell in 2008. The car safety deserves credit, but in reality, it was the safer barriers that saved his life.

DOUBLE FILE RESTARTS - Another genius move by NASCAR. Why this didn't happen earlier is beyond me, but I'm glad NASCAR realized that double-file restarts was the way to go.

NOT RUNNING BACK TO THE YELLOW - It took a near nasty collision in the early 2000's for NASCAR to realize that racing back to the caution wasn't the way to go. It was actually a Dale Jarrett incident that made it happen.

LAP CARS TO THE BACK OF THE FIELD - Seeing the leaders take the green with lap cars inside of them must've been very confusing to the casual fan back in the day.

LUCKY DOG - Following their implementation of not running back to the line, NASCAR came up with a perfect solution to give drivers a chance to get back on the lead lap -- the infamous lucky dog award. It's just so much better than having to race & pass the leaders.

NEW CAR - Gen 6 was a great success. We all love the Gen 4 cars -- they're iconic. But the world is evolving, & those cars had outdated technology. Gen 7 came with issues, but once they're fixed, I expect great things out of that car.

PIT ROAD SPEED LIMIT - Believe it or not, going full speed on pit road was a thing until the early 90's. I can't imagine how dangerous it was. Pit road speed limit is definitely a no brainer.

I'm sure I'm missing a few things on the list above; this is just off the top of my head.

BONUS

There are things I don't "love" about the new NASCAR, although I can live with them. Those are:

SCHEDULE - For some reason, NASCAR is tinkering with the schedule too much. I think they should look at the past & how having a consistent schedule was a massive success. 36 races, same weekend every year. I think the schedule should be consistent. That's just my opinion though.

POINTS SYSTEM - The points system isn't terrible, but I would like it if every race mattered, not just the last 10. This is something that I can agree with other fans. I liked when NASCAR rewarded consistency.

STAGE RACING - Stage racing takes away pit strategy for the most part, which is a shame.

NOT REWARDING LAPS LED - In a sport like NASCAR, not rewarding most laps lead is a travesty. I hope NASCAR looks into this & somehow implements a bonus for laps led.
 
This is the kind of thread I can get in to.

NASCAR affords thousands of people to make a good living in the sport and provide for their families, along with keeping thousands more employed in the supply industry and surrounding businesses

NASCAR brings in Millions to local economies all across the country every year. Each track has an economic impact of over $100 to $150 million per year with Daytona reporting $1.8 Billion of which $850 Million stayed in Volusia County.
 
This is the kind of thread I can get in to.

NASCAR affords thousands of people to make a good living in the sport and provide for their families, along with keeping thousands more employed in the supply industry and surrounding businesses

NASCAR brings in Millions to local economies all across the country every year. Each track has an economic impact of over $100 to $150 million per year with Daytona reporting $1.8 Billion of which $850 Million stayed in Volusia County.
^ This. There’s a reason cities across America are blowing NASCAR’s phones up to get a date. And why so much was invested to revive North Wilkesboro.
 
New car, they look damn good. Think they’re gonna race even better next year.
Going back to Darlington for 2 races and going back to Wilkesboro for the All Star Race
Safer Barriers
Choose Cone is awesome
 
^ This. There’s a reason cities across America are blowing NASCAR’s phones up to get a date. And why so much was invested to revive North Wilkesboro.
North Wilkesboro will experience an economic boost like it has never seen before. Packed hotels, restaurants, etc.... not to mention the surrounding areas that will absorb the overflow. I'm happy for that community, its been tough for a long time in that area.
 
NASCAR fans. Yes, I am still pissed at every jackdaw who throws a beer at a driver, but to @Spotter22 point....they are in a small minority. I soloed to Phoenix. There is no need to pack up your stuff to head to the concession stand or bathroom. My NASCAR brothers and sisters watch it for ya. So, you bring them back a beer to thank them.....It's just what we do.
 
While we need to fix the safety issues of the Next Gen, I love the car, and the concept is necessary. They are badass x10000000000 in person.
 
Another great thing about NASCAR are the track improvements. EVERY experience should be like Phoenix. I want to watch the teams work on the cars. Garage access of some sort must be part of the experience.
 
North Wilkesboro will experience an economic boost like it has never seen before. Packed hotels, restaurants, etc.... not to mention the surrounding areas that will absorb the overflow. I'm happy for that community, its been tough for a long time in that area.
Those businesses were super happy to have that CARS Tour race.

There were “Welcome Back Race Fans” signs all over.

I had to take back a lot of mean things I said about Roy during COVID when I walked inside North Wilkesboro for the first time.
 
Although I don't agree that some of the "NASCAR nailed it" things are "good" things, I do agree that we ought to spend less effort griping and more effort finding and supporting solutions. Some people are just too in love with griping... if they managed to gripe NASCAR into oblivion they'd probably gripe about that too, while accepting no responsibility...

Spotter22 is right on about NASCAR creating opportunities for people and businesses. We hate to admit it, but some of us Goobers would be floundering otherwise. It even trickles down to the local level.

NASCAR has majorly impacted the public's perception about auto racing. Some may not know details, but if you say "NASCAR" they know what you're talking about. I've even noticed that with folks from foreign countries. That all translates to corporate advertising and participation, which in turn lets us race or watch racing. I can have a race car in my driveway, and instead of getting insults or the police called I get inquiries and parents let their kids sit inside it. I know several formerly rudderless kids who got interested in STEM careers after noticing NASCAR and finding out what happens in the garage.

Do like that NASCAR tends to stick with rules and decisions, at least for a definite period of time, even if those rules or decisions are unpopular. Bad rules that stick are better than constantly changing rules - constant changes bankrupt a lot of local racers.

And even though reaching the pinnacle of racing in NASCAR's top series has become desperately difficult and expensive, it is still a goal that beckons a lot of people.
 
Green-white-checker

Yes it can get a little ridiculous when you have a half dozen of them during an Xfinity race at Talladega, but for the most part, the GWC rule was a damn good decision. I would have just made it so caution laps didn't count in the last 10 laps or whatever, but the GWC works too. I always hated races ending under yellow.
 
The safety improvements are the best thing. Even with the concussions this past season the overall record is still good and they will keep working to limit the concussions.

I am thankful that Darlington got its second date back, that Charlotte swapped out another 1.5 quad oval race for the Roval and I am really excited about North Wilksboro and the Nashville Fairgrounds

Also racing people are just good people. I took my son in his wheelchair to the Dirt track srveral years ago. One of the Co-Owners of the Jason Meyers racing team saw him watching the race overhead and had compassion on my son. He made a special trip himself and came down to us with free team caps and souvenirs for my son
I know that was not a Nascar example but I have seen the same type of decency from racing and Nascar people all my life.

Now nothing is perfect but here is my wish list.

No more GWC's
No more putting lapped cars to the back of the field.
More HP especially at short tracks.
Bring back bias ply tires.

Justice for the real towns
#Fort Worth
#Avondale
#Hampton
#Concord.....
 
Those businesses were super happy to have that CARS Tour race.

There were “Welcome Back Race Fans” signs all over.

I had to take back a lot of mean things I said about Roy during COVID when I walked inside North Wilkesboro for the first time.
That night was like a dream, I'm still in awe. Look what it created, no way NASCAR is running the AllStar Race in NWB if Jr didnt run that Cars tour race. He is the reason it was packed, just like Florence. He's the pied piper.
 
Most things have been said, but will just add the at-home experience - being able to listen to driver radios, real time leader board and lap times, different cameras, etc. Worth every penny. I especially love when I'm listening to a driver channel and hear the spotter say "wrecking behind you, wrecking behind you..." then I get to look up at the TV on a delay and wait a few seconds for the chaos.

But I have to admit, I miss the Raceview app. Like, a ton. More than I miss having abs.
 
That night was like a dream, I'm still in awe. Look what it created, no way NASCAR is running the AllStar Race in NWB if Jr didnt run that Cars tour race. He is the reason it was packed, just like Florence. He's the pied piper.

That night was special and I'm damn glad I was able to be there. You could sense it in every way. The track may be on Speedway Ln, but that night, it was at the intersection of Hype Street and Electric Avenue.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is Southern Jesus and his weed wacker needs to be put in the Hall of Fame.
 
I miss FanVision but they don’t hear me much on bringing that back, staff issues or something probably
 
If it is your blood it is hard to articulate the thrill, sensations and excitement that racing delivers. If it were possibile to put it into words it would be as sensual as porn. The noise, the smell of the gas, burning rubber and the appreciation for the driving skills when it is done right is impossibile to fully express. I even start talking faster when I am around it.
It is the wildest rodeo I have ever seen.

With that in mind just think about all of the things could go wrong and seriously anything is possibile after the green flag flies. The courage or stupidity or maybe a little of both that it takes to sanction or promote races is insane.
You have the incredibile dangers that you just try to contain and then all the high strung possessed racers and their teams to reason with. These people never sleep or rest and they are possessed with winning and there is only one winner after a race. It is just the nature of the beast for them to be angry when they see their dreams going up in smoke.
Even when Nascar does it absolutely right they are going to catch Hell from the competitors and the fans.

You have to give Nascar a lot of credit for doing it so well for so long.

I get often get tired of the Nascar yes men and suck ups like Micheal Waltrip. But I think those people have the same appreciation that I am trying to express in this post. I dont think they are brown nosers they just honestly respect Nascar for doing so many things right.
 
Nascar has little if any control about how a race is going to turn out and sometimes they end up being the cause of the chaos themselves lol. It reminds me of lighting a firecracker. Sometimes the fuse burns properly as expected and other times you don't know what is going to happen when it doesn't. It makes me watch to the end because you never know what is going to happen.
I like the stages. plenty of hard racing because of them going to the line and the restarts after. Road racing is a different animal, they don't work at all there.
 
I always thought it was cool that most tracks let you bring in your own food and drinks. Not really a "Nascar" policy, more of any given track's policy, but still a cool thing. Most sports events force you to pay $6 for a coke, $12 for a beer and who knows what for some bad concessions food.

One of our things when me and my girlfriend go to a track is stop by a Subway or Jimmy John's and get some subs to toss into our beer backpack.

On the dislikes. I love the new gen car but hate the single lug nut and miss the sound of those air guns.
 
I miss FanVision but they don’t hear me much on bringing that back, staff issues or something probably
I have the RE FanVision Legend. Even with its limited functionality, it’s a great device.

Fanvision shut down during COVID. Can’t sell a product or provide a service if fans aren’t allowed at venues. I heard that NASCAR tried to buy them out before they ceased operations.
 
Yes, my favorite policy in NASCAR is packing a lunch and a 6-24 pack of water lol.
 
^ You choose to ridicule something that pleases someone else because it isn’t a NASCAR policy?

Your earlier lament about the demise of FanVision notwithstanding ... Sad.

I miss FanVision but they don’t hear me much on bringing that back, staff issues or something probably
 
I remember the the Sprint Cup trophy girls in the Talibanish firesuits that screamed dont even look at her ankles lest the greatest iniquities of life were to take root and ruin us all.
It was a soul killing time that led me to loosing some faith and hope in life.

It had to be so repressive and devastating to those young wimmin and caused them question why they even bothered with waxing and making themselves so attractive. My soul wept for them.

Then the Monster energy girls came along in those smoking hawt little outfits and the healing started. Thank you Nascar and praise the Lord.

Life shouldnt be wasted. Enjoy the fast cars, rock and roll, and hawt wimmins while you can, you only live once.
 
That is exactly what you did. Whoosh? Don’t flatter yourself.

My communications skills are not at issue here. As I said ... worry about yourself.
 
Back
Top Bottom