Pack Racing

Hawkerjet

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Forgive me if I starting an already existing thread. I searched but did not see anything titled "Pack Racing."

I grew up racing dirt motorcycles and even rode pro for a couple of years. This was back in the 60's and early 70's. Unlike today the level of sophistication was minimal back then. We used to call it "run what-cha brung." It was a great time that rewarded innovation and talent. Today, however, all that has changed. Top teer racing has far too many rules and regulations.

I greatly appreciate the huge advances of safety features on the cars today. As a result racing has become the safest it has ever been. This raises an important question. In the interest of safety have we created a different safety issue with by lowering the horse power on the super speedway to slow the cars? Enter pack racing. Pack racing reminds me of the old figure 8 car races. The track was a figure 8 with cars crossing in the center resulting in lots of bent metal. The object of the race was to be the last car moving and win the race. Many of these pack races end up destroying about half of the field or more. Luck becomes a major factor of the outcome of the race rather than skill.

Personally I wish they would just let the boys race. All drivers know the risks of racing and have accepted them. I would love to see the cars run the 750 hp package at all tracks. I am pretty sure this would allow for more passing adding to the excitement of the race. If the powers that be wish to slow the top speed on the super speedways do it with the aero package as this would spread out the cars like the good old days. The latest technology in the roof flaps have done a fine job of keeping the cars on the ground so a few more mph in top speed would have a negligible effect.

Just my .2 cents.

Cheers.

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There's not much of a solution to it, really. If you run them unrestricted, they'll hit speeds in excess of 230-240 MPH, which isn't safe, particularly for people in the stands. As is, restrictor plate racing is unsafe in its own way because it's what creates the massive Big Ones and half the field getting junked.

The only real solutions for Daytona and Talladega would be to either take out some banking, shorten the tracks, or both, but no one really wants to see that because then it wouldn't be Daytona and Talladega anymore. Or we just quit going to Daytona and Talladega, which sure as hell is never gonna happen.

Welcome to the forums. :waver:
 
Welcome.
Personally I wish they would just let the boys race. All drivers know the risks of racing and have accepted them.
I don't like pack racing, period. I see solutions that will break the packs up, but none that NASCAR will accept. The Almighty Dollar makes the decision.

One thing I can agree on with those who love it is that the speed isn't restricted to protect the drivers. As @StandOnIt said, it's about the fans in the grandstands. Ten years ago Austin Dillon wrapped his car around the front fence at Daytona and tore away several sections of it. Dillon walked from is thoroughly destroyed car but shrapnel was ejected through the first several rows of spectators. I'm sure some of NASCAR's lawyers are still having nightmares.
 
Denny Hamlin spoke on this over the weekend. He's suggesting The Clash be moved back to Daytona and use it as an R&D session. His idea was to increase horsepower and take off some of the spoiler, similar to the Atlanta package. He said the drivers need to lift to drive them.

I will say this. It seems like the plate racing was the best in the 90's. You would see drivers coming from the back to win late, sometimes a few cars would break away to settle it (not 30 cars), and the whole field wasn't in a giant wad. Today's racing is nothing but a wreckfest.
 
As much as I love Daytona…have been to the 500 a few times…I am growing weary of the pack racing. Yesterday’s race highlighted the many ways the ugliest elements: micro movements that instantly send multiple cars reeling; three Toyotas at te front of each respective line, reducing speeds to extend gas mileage while stopping up any hope of an alternate strategy; pit stop mayhem, followed by a C grade driver in Herbst making moves that destroyed many good race cars. Jordan was happy, cause he helped Red win the race, so he was “a good team player”.

Maybe something “clicked” with folks cause there was a lot of angst within drivers and some media. Yes the crowds were huge, which is good. I’m sure viewership was good also. I do enjoy watching these, as pack racing is kind of like watching the high wire acts at the circus, but maybe the drama is becoming a bit blasé to me after so many years. Looking forward to Atlanta next week and the other tracks to follow.
 
I do enjoy watching these, as pack racing is kind of like watching the high wire acts at the circus, but maybe the drama is becoming a bit blasé to me after so many years.
There's little drama or tension when you KNOW the tight rope walker is going to fall, when the conditions are set up to ensure he does. The question is 'When?', not 'If?'.
 
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