Its not the turning left that is the problem. The problem is that NASCAR is not a racing series that forces advancements in safety and technolgy. Japan & Europe have racing series that have forced developments on the racetrack that trickled down to street cars. American cars are more advanced than any NASCAR and this retardation, if left unchecked, will continue to burden Detroit. Just what the hell is STOCK about NASCAR anyway?
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Oh, and as an aside question - does anyone else think that the Gran Turismo series of games for the Playstation probably has done more to hurt NASCAR than anything else?
As an aside...a threadjack even....NASCAR has named the 1st set of nominees for it's Hall of Fame. They include..Glen "Fireball" Roberts, Red Byron, Buck Baker, Lee Petty, Tim Flock, Herb Thomas, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, Cale Yarbrough, Richie Evans, Joe Weatherly, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Benny Parsons, Darell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Bud Moore and Raymond Parks. A history lesson, provided by the fearless Jalopnik editors, might prove entertaining and enlightening. Just sayin...
I always thought it would be cool if NASCAR only allowed stock factory engine blocks to be used, as well as at least keeping the bodies mostly stock. And the addition of more road course races. Wasn't the original point of NASCAR to have stock type vehicles. In the 60s an untrained eye could barely tell the difference from the race car and stock car. Plus then the car companies built cars like the Superbird to better compete in the series. Think how much better a Monte Carlo could be if the same engine block, drive layout and body had to be used in NASCAR. Sorry for the long post, I just wish we had a cooler racing series on national tv.
@TowerOfPower: That's exactly how NASCAR originally was. Guys would go to the car dealer and get the car, weld in a roll cage, and go racing. NASCAR has been on a 2 decade crusade to "equalize" the racing and make it safer, and have succeeded in making it a spec series. The only reason why carmakers are still involved is for advertising. Ad budgets are getting cut, and that has NASCAR scared.
@TowerOfPower: Yes, there was a reason why NASCAR was called "stock car racing." It actually does have an interesting history, derived from moon-shiners hopping up their cars to outrun cops. I think it would be a lot more interesting if they REALLY took it back to it's routes, and had guys racing hot-rodded vehicles on dirty back country roads in the south. Still, using production derived vehicles road tracks might be enough to actually get me interested.
@TowerOfPower:I hate to keep rambling on about it, but may I strongly recommend the V8 Supercars series out of Australia? It is exactly the race series you describe, but with cars people might actually want to buy and drive! Awesome!
@Deartháir - Now with more Unemployment™!: I second Deartháir's recommendation. It is exactly what NASCAR should be, but isn't. If you miss all the wrecking, you could watch the V8 Utes -- some of whom still have their stock dash and stereo!
@Captain Somethingorother: That's the first time anyone has ever mentioned the Koni Challenge... Now I must go hunting to find somewhere to download this from.
@TowerOfPower: I also am going to echo Engineered. Aussie V8 super cars are an excellent choice, also DTM is one of the most exciting series. Sure, these days it's just a bunch of up-engined Mercedes C-Classes and Audi A4s, but its a thrilling to watch. The WTCC and WRC are also highly recommend if you want some non-boring (IMO) racing.
@Schm wishes he could bring back the funny. .: Oh and I do follow WRC, probably one of my favorites, but its still hard to find live coverage. Maybe I'll just have to upgrade to satellite one of these days.
@Captain Somethingorother: At the same time, we also have the Speed/SCCA Pro GT and Touring Car Championship series. The competition between these 2 series, and their similar formulas, dilutes the potential impact with fans and advertisers therby keeping them a bigger secret that they deserve to be.
Hmmn....anybody wanna nominate me for US Touring Car Czar? I'll even fix the Rally America/USRC/NASA Rally Sport schism, if you ask me nice.
@TowerOfPower: I'm not a NASCAR apologist, I catch the race twice a year when it comes to the track down the street (TMS). But come on... to each their own. This thing is WILDLY successful. 150,000 spectators? Just because it's a type of racing some (most?) Jalops don't appreciate is not a justification for changing it. These people like their racing this way. And there's A LOT of them. Leave 'em alone! Now... instead of bitching about how bad NASCAR is, go promote your racing series. I'd go so far as to say these NASCAR fans are better motorsports enthusiasts. They invest the time, money and heart into their sport and that's what makes it go. They just care a lot more about it.
Speed World Challenge used to be a big fave of mine, but SCCA being SCCA, it looks to be on its last legs.
But yes, I'm all for someone new to take a crack at things. If you tell me you'll get rid of tube-frame "GT" cars on the professional level, I'll send over some scotch and a pre-dead hooker.
More foreign automakers? Hmmmmm...I could get back into NASCAR if we have Audis, Peugeots, and Cherys racing around in a circle. Of course, in order to draw more manufacturers, they may need to update the antiquated engine rules and ::gasp:: use fuel injections and OHCs. Just sayin'.
Just choked on coffee. That's hilarious! A documentary on NASCAR? You're kidding! Two hours of talking about a sport where nothing happens but driving around in circles and crashing into each other? What, it wasn't boring enough just watching them drive? I can see how that must have gone, "How can we make this suck even more!?"
If it's on in Canada, I'll watch it. I'm not the biggest fan of NASCAR, but I recognize that it is kinda cool. For a mini Car Pundit Drinking Game, take a shot of Jack every time they mention Dale.
Seeing Kyle Busch frighten hapless cable TV reporters reminded me of this bit of vintage video, wherein the BBC's unfortunatly named racing commentator, Dickey Davies, gets the crap scared out of him by rallying legend Roger Clark for a Ford UK promotional film. Bonus Jalopnik points for the righteous noise made by the MKII Ford Escort RS1800's BDA twin cam engine. Enjoy.
Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred
Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred
Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
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07/09/09
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Oh, and as an aside question - does anyone else think that the Gran Turismo series of games for the Playstation probably has done more to hurt NASCAR than anything else?
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I'll beat the Koni Challenge drum a bit more. That NASCAR owns the damned thing now is all the more ironic.
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Hmmn....anybody wanna nominate me for US Touring Car Czar? I'll even fix the Rally America/USRC/NASA Rally Sport schism, if you ask me nice.
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Speed World Challenge used to be a big fave of mine, but SCCA being SCCA, it looks to be on its last legs.
But yes, I'm all for someone new to take a crack at things. If you tell me you'll get rid of tube-frame "GT" cars on the professional level, I'll send over some scotch and a pre-dead hooker.
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06/23/09
Seeing Kyle Busch frighten hapless cable TV reporters reminded me of this bit of vintage video, wherein the BBC's unfortunatly named racing commentator, Dickey Davies, gets the crap scared out of him by rallying legend Roger Clark for a Ford UK promotional film. Bonus Jalopnik points for the righteous noise made by the MKII Ford Escort RS1800's BDA twin cam engine. Enjoy.
[www.motorsportmad.com]
End tangental threadjack.
06/23/09
What's he holding in his hand, a timer?
06/23/09
"Stop the car! For the love of God stop the car, man!! PLEASE!!!!"
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