Pack Racing

[DIDIT]

I am not completely convinced that some of the Ford drivers weren't OK with the Toyota's blocking. The Fords running up front new this would be a safe route to get through a big chunk of the race plus they too were saving gas. I thought Buescher passed up several chances to try and break it up.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Make the walls higher

I recall reading an estimate that to run unrestricted, Daytona would have to take out the bottom 20 rows. That's a butt load of tickets.

 

[rd45usa]

I recall reading an estimate that to run unrestricted, Daytona would have to take out the bottom 20 rows. That's a butt load of tickets.

Indy did that years ago.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Indy did that years ago.

Indy did it because they weren't selling the seats, not for potential safety reasons. Daytona doesn’t (currently) have that problem. Indeed, some would argue breaking up the pack would hurt ticket sales, regardless of method.

 

[Jimbo Slice]

Ticket sales would suffer, yes. TV ratings would soar, however.

 

[rd45usa]

Indy did it because they weren't selling the seats, not for potential safety reasons. Daytona doesn’t (currently) have that problem. Indeed, some would argue breaking up the pack would hurt ticket sales, regardless of method.

Removed seats after 1973 500 because of fuel being sprayed on fans from 1st lap crash involving Salt Walter car. Believe it was box seats right behind fence.

 

[AlTerego]

I recall reading an estimate that to run unrestricted, Daytona would have to take out the bottom 20 rows. That's a butt load of tickets.

Daytona removed approx 50,000 seats 10-15 years ago that weren’t selling. I think the removals were done under the auspices of a track reno though. Daytona used to seat around 155k & now it’s a little over 100k.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Removed seats after 1973 500 because of fuel being sprayed on fans from 1st lap crash involving Salt Walter car. Believe it was box seats right behind fence.

Ah, yes, I remember that. Thank you. I thought you meant the more recent removal within the last 15 years or so.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Daytona removed approx 50,000 seats 10-15 years ago that weren’t selling. I think the removals were done under the auspices of a track reno though. Daytona used to seat around 155k & now it’s a little over 100k.

Yes, but they're selling out now. We could debate whether they could have removed bottom seats all the way around instead of targeting entire grandstands, but the point remains that NASCAR has no interest in breaking up the packs. Running wide open -might- get more TV viewers but since Daytona and Talladege routinely draw higher TV numbers, I think NASCAR wouldn't mess with those races.

 

[StandOnIt]

Yes, but they're selling out now. We could debate whether they could have removed bottom seats all the way around instead of targeting entire grandstands, but the point remains that NASCAR has no interest in breaking up the packs. Running wide open -might- get more TV viewers but since Daytona and Talladege routinely draw higher TV numbers, I think NASCAR wouldn't mess with those races.

Pretty sure if it wasn't for TV showing the speed stats on TV, doubtful anybody would have noticed. The drivers have been backing off for years and years. It's like someone told them there isn't a Santa, and they can't help but tell everybody there isn't one. Ya can't go fast enough for them, can't have enough H.P. Can't have enough this, can't have enough that.