Monster, please shake up the All Star Race Week

dpkimmel2001

dpkimmel2001

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I was just reading an article about the NFL adding a Dodgeball game to the NFL's Pro Bowl Week. While that's really 'out there' as far as ideas go, how about if Monster tried to add a dirt race to NASCAR's All-Star week? Right outside the catch fence of Charlotte's Speedway Bruton has a dirt track that could be used. Why not do it with the NASCAR drivers that would like to take place? It would probably garner a lot more interest than the main race itself.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
I was just reading an article about the NFL adding a Dodgeball game to the NFL's Pro Bowl Week. While that's really 'out there' as far as ideas go, how about if Monster tried to add a dirt race to NASCAR's All-Star week? Right outside the catch fence of Charlotte's Speedway Bruton has a dirt track that could be used. Why not do it with the NASCAR drivers that would like to take place? It would probably garner a lot more interest than the main race itself.
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Could they televise it?
 
After I wrote that I got to thinking how well Smokes truck race has done on dirt.
Sure didn't hurt his bottom line.
 
Team Penske said:
After I wrote that I got to thinking how well Smokes truck race has done on dirt.
Sure didn't hurt his bottom line.
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Don't forget Smoke's Prelude to a Dream that used to be held @ Eldora. That was fun to watch with the NASCAR contingent behind the wheel.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
I was just reading an article about the NFL adding a Dodgeball game to the NFL's Pro Bowl Week. While that's really 'out there' as far as ideas go, how about if Monster tried to add a dirt race to NASCAR's All-Star week? Right outside the catch fence of Charlotte's Speedway Bruton has a dirt track that could be used. Why not do it with the NASCAR drivers that would like to take place? It would probably garner a lot more interest than the main race itself.
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Minor quibble - I wouldn't use the NFL Pro Bowl as an example of running an All-Star event. The NFL is a huge part of US culture, but their Pro Bowl is the one area that doesn't draw any attention. Heck, some players find excuses to get out of it.

I recall hearing about declining viewers for the NBA's slam-dunk competition and MLB's home run display. Is there an overall decline in the interest in all-star games in general?

My interest in the All-Star race couldn't be lower. In my opinion, it's been loaded down over the years with way too many gimmicks, segments, etc. And I still don't see what's "all star" about seeing the same guys we see every week.

Do something really radical. Instead of segments, run four heats. That's basically what the current first race is anyway. Then run a last chance with everyone (including drivers from the first race) who isn't in.

I realize the pit crews like getting introduced on TV, but that REALLY slows things down in the middle of the broadcast.
 
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The all star race at Charlotte can be quite entertaining when the format makes for good heat racing and the aero of the cars has to be right to make for entertaining racing overall.

Neither have been done in the last 5 or so years. The last entertaining all star race imo was 2009.
 
They've used the all star race to try different ideas like the current format for double file restarts. I would encourage them to continue to try ideas out under race conditions. Another good idea they tried was the qualifying included a pit stop and the driver didn't have to follow the pit road speed limit (the pit crews should be honored in some way that weekend).
 
I think the one thing they could do to pump so life back into it is to have it at other tracks.
 
MRM said:
I think the one thing they could do to pump so life back into it is to have it at other tracks.
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While I agree completely, it's not likely to happen.

For political reasons, the race will have to remain at an SMI track. Otherwise Bruton will pitch a fit. That makes it his call as to where it's held, and he's shown no interest in moving it.

But say he did. Would it make much of a difference if he moved it to Atlanta, Texas, or Vegas, SMI's other 1.5-milers? I don't think NASCAR wants this race on a road course, so that rules out Sonoma. Besides, Sonoma, Vegas, Loudon, and Dallas :D are too far from home for what has traditionally been a family weekend / 'home game' for teams.

That leaves Bristol. I'd love to see it if it was my call, but if it was my call we wouldn't run this event at all.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
A permanent relocation to Martinsville would probably be their best move.
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Please no. Martinsville is my all time most hated track. Racing sucks there and theirs just not enough speed for my liking. If it was at a short track Bristol would be my choice but I think Charlotte is the best place for it.

I liked the dirt race idea to spice it up a bit. Maybe a legends race with older drivers on dirt would get some interest.
 
Simple Fan said:
Please no. Martinsville is my all time most hated track. Racing sucks there and theirs just not enough speed for my liking. If it was at a short track Bristol would be my choice but I think Charlotte is the best place for it.

I liked the dirt race idea to spice it up a bit. Maybe a legends race with older drivers on dirt would get some interest.
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Boy, go out behind the woodshed and cut yo'self a switch! :mad:
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Minor quibble - I wouldn't use the NFL Pro Bowl as an example of running an All-Star event. The NFL is a huge part of US culture, but their Pro Bowl is the one area that doesn't draw any attention. Heck, some players find excuses to get out of it.

I recall hearing about declining viewers for the NBA's slam-dunk competition and MLB's home run display. Is there an overall decline in the interest in all-star games in general?

My interest in the All-Star race couldn't be lower. In my opinion, it's been loaded down over the years with way too many gimmicks, segments, etc. And I still don't see what's "all star" about seeing the same guys we see every week.

Do something really radical. Instead of segments, run four heats. That's basically what the current first race is anyway. Then run a last chance with everyone (including drivers from the first race) who isn't in.

I realize the pit crews like getting introduced on TV, but that REALLY slows things down in the middle of the broadcast.
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I think the last Pro Bowl I saw had Roman Gabriel and Merlin Olsen in it.

I am hoping Monster introduces some demolition derbies instead of the actual races as I would tune in and it would be a lot of fun. I have not watched an full All Star race since Davey Allison was alive as I think the bloom fell off the rose for all star stuff years ago. I would give the teams and drivers a well deserved week off.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
The all star race at Charlotte can be quite entertaining when the format makes for good heat racing and the aero of the cars has to be right to make for entertaining racing overall.

Neither have been done in the last 5 or so years. The last entertaining all star race imo was 2009.
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From what I understand you never want to let BKez decide the format.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
What we've got here ... is failure to communicate.
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Not at all. I get you like Martinsville but for me its the worst. It and New Hampshire are the two tracks that I don't like. I'm sure you have some tracks you don't like (probably a mile and half track) that I do like.
 
Simple Fan said:
Please no. Martinsville is my all time most hated track. Racing sucks there and theirs just not enough speed for my liking. If it was at a short track Bristol would be my choice but I think Charlotte is the best place for it.

I liked the dirt race idea to spice it up a bit. Maybe a legends race with older drivers on dirt would get some interest.
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I have never heard a person say they think Martinsville sucks prior to today.
 
I would like to see a driving skills competion in all star week though...something to test road race skills, speedway skills and short track.... kinda likey hockey and football...bet the drivers would like it
 
I think Charlotte is the best place for the All Star race because it lets the team members stay home for a weekend and show their stuff to their friends, family, and those in the shop that don't travel. I think that weekend is more about the teams. Plus it is tied to the 600.
 
It could use some tweaks but I think the ASR is still entertaining. I was one of the few who enjoyed this years and I liked the battle for the win between JoLo and Larson.
 
Zerkfitting said:
I think Charlotte is the best place for the All Star race because it lets the team members stay home for a weekend and show their stuff to their friends, family, and those in the shop that don't travel. I think that weekend is more about the teams. Plus it is tied to the 600.
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This sport is about the fans and entertaining them. I don't worry any more about them and their time off than they do about me hooking up my RV and dragging it across the country to go see them.

Charlotte has hosted this event for a long, long time. Like the rest of NASCAR's schedule, it's getting old and needs rejuvenated. It would be great to see it be held in a smaller venue. Get back to more of the roots of this sport bringing out some emotion that isn't possible at the high speeds that are run @ Charlotte. Put them on a track where bumpers can be used if needed. Put some excitement into this race.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
With a Figure-8 layout and in reverse gear.
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I was out taking pics the other day and had my car (FWD) with me. I ended up doing figure 8's in reverse getting myself out of slippery situation so I would like to attempt to qualify for a race like that.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
This sport is about the fans and entertaining them. I don't worry any more about them and their time off than they do about me hooking up my RV and dragging it across the country to go see them.

Charlotte has hosted this event for a long, long time. Like the rest of NASCAR's schedule, it's getting old and needs rejuvenated. It would be great to see it be held in a smaller venue. Get back to more of the roots of this sport bringing out some emotion that isn't possible at the high speeds that are run @ Charlotte. Put them on a track where bumpers can be used if needed. Put some excitement into this race.
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I will be interesting to see if Monster's involvement with Nascar will lead to more entertaining shows.
 
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