@Fast_Nel: Well the NASCAR guys have fewer people on the pit crew, five times the lug nuts to remove and replace, and lift the car off the ground via the "big guy with a floor jack" method. When you consider that, it's pretty amazing their pit stops only take 3 or 4 seconds longer than an F1 pit stop.
Did anyone else notice that "Camry" had working headlights and treaded tires? Please tell me this is secretly Toyota's development car for LeMans. Probably not but cool either way.
This is RB's street legal Cup car. It's a 2 seater with lights and most everything you need to make it road legal. It's been used in NYC and other places before. See the Goodyear Eagle II's? Not racing slicks. There are plenty of 2 seater Cup cars but I haven't seen another street legal one.
Say what you will about the sport, a NASCAR is probably the perfect thing for battling NYC taxis, for whom the mantra seems to be "rubbing is driving".
Why are we seeing this? Since when did Jalopnik like Nascar? And this makes me long for a day of having cars in Times Square, and not Lawn Chairs. Also, I hate knowing that Nascar even exists. I've seen some legends come and go from that sport, but to me, it's just a sorry, exploited, fixed, excuse for auto racing.
This is Jalopnik, where we have a near fanatical obsession with anything and everything that has to do with cars. And occasionally planes. And Transformers. And Megan Fox. NASCAR just so happens to be a part of the cult of cars that we embrace, whether or not it is our favorite form pf automotive racing.
@pauljones: it may be too low brow for you coffee drinking VW driving American Europian nut jobs, but NASCAR is still auto racing with its origins placed in the poor policies of the progressive area in America.
@Steve Neill: Jesus Christ! I have had it up to my ears with people that have such a problem with NASCAR. WTF!? What is it that makes it a sorry excuse? I would love to see anyone that has a problem with NASCAR...jump into a fire suit and full face helmet and just sit on the couch for three hours, much less in an oven on four wheels. And for those who think it takes no skill to drive in a NASCAR race...next time you are on the expressway, get a few friends and try going 70mph like three inches from each other and see if you don't end up wiping out. And to think...NASCAR drivers go three times the posted speed limit of most major E-ways for most of the race. Going 180mph takes skill...going 180mph with others no more than inches away takes even more skill.
On the other hand...commenting about things you know nothing about takes absolutely no skill whatsoever.
@citroën67: Soccer is an exhausting game to play, but that doesn't mean that I want to watch it. Just because something takes effort or skill, doesn't make it entertaining.
I have more fundamental problems with drag racing than NASCAR as a form of auto racing, but it's more entertaining to watch.
Hey, some people watch fishing. Some people watch bowling or golf.
While it's not my brand of entertainment, I respect your right to enjoy NASCAR.
@Steve Neill: What the FUCK is not cool about 800hp V8s screaming at 200 mph?
While yes their all the same stickered copy cats now, the heritage behind it is full of kick assery and debauchery. And once again. Carburetor. Pushrod. V8. 800hp.
I remember watching Top Gear's drive of the Clarity, and Jay Leno was talking to James May (God bless those two) about what he thought could be the future for this world: efficient, environmentally friendly cars or other forms of transport to do stuff in, and put all that gas you save into something more thrilling for the weekends.
In other words, a Prius and a Corvette. Or a bike and an M3. Or a bus and a Caterham.
@Mobius_1: You know, with a bus and a Caterham, since the Caterham is undoubtedly more economical gauging by the number of passengers most Americans carry, I can't really say I'm very excited at the prospect of having a gas-guzzling bus as my "fun weekend driver". :P
I love mass transit. If we had a mass transit system in Detroit I would use it to commute. If I lived someplace like London or Chicago I would probably only have 1 car. And it would be a fun car like a Se7en.
I understand the desire for "freedom" in driving yourself to and from work. You can leave whenever you want and go anywhere you want without having to worry about train schedules or connections.
However, commuters are faced with similar issues in deciding when to leave to miss traffic (I have a coworker who comes in at 6am and leaves at 4pm sharp or his commute doubles) and deciding which route to take due to traffic and accidents.
@beercheck: your thinking of Spenser for Hire as the one took place in Boston... Dan Tanna was in Vegas... Same actor, film a couple years apart so it is easy get them mixed up. The way I keep them straight is Spenser had the '66 Mustang and Tanna had the '57 TBird
Midtown Manhattan is one of the very few places in the US where this idea works. It makes sense. Pretty much all of NYC is anti-auto, anyway, so what difference does shutting down a few blocks make? If I were there, I'd enjoy the oasis and go someplace else to enjoy my cars.
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thanks, i needed a laugh today.
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I'd really like to drive that Camry, I bet it's fun.
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Plus, while I was in L.A. they the GT races through downtown. Pretty cool.
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I really miss the Long Beach Grand Prix. My dad and I used to attend that event every season. Damn you, F1, damn you!
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Sorry if I come off as a douchebag.
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This is Jalopnik, where we have a near fanatical obsession with anything and everything that has to do with cars. And occasionally planes. And Transformers. And Megan Fox. NASCAR just so happens to be a part of the cult of cars that we embrace, whether or not it is our favorite form pf automotive racing.
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@pauljones: "of", jackass, "of"
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On the other hand...commenting about things you know nothing about takes absolutely no skill whatsoever.
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How many cars are in a Nascar race?
It must have taken years to train all of the monkeys that drive them.
j/k
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I have more fundamental problems with drag racing than NASCAR as a form of auto racing, but it's more entertaining to watch.
Hey, some people watch fishing. Some people watch bowling or golf.
While it's not my brand of entertainment, I respect your right to enjoy NASCAR.
06/11/09
While yes their all the same stickered copy cats now, the heritage behind it is full of kick assery and debauchery. And once again. Carburetor. Pushrod. V8. 800hp.
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06/12/09
Wait, what?
06/04/09
In other words, a Prius and a Corvette. Or a bike and an M3. Or a bus and a Caterham.
(No? Then there is no pleasing you, is there?)
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I understand the desire for "freedom" in driving yourself to and from work. You can leave whenever you want and go anywhere you want without having to worry about train schedules or connections.
However, commuters are faced with similar issues in deciding when to leave to miss traffic (I have a coworker who comes in at 6am and leaves at 4pm sharp or his commute doubles) and deciding which route to take due to traffic and accidents.
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It's working for me, haven't been there since '01.
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It also isn't grocery shopping friendly either.
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Fremont Street.
Looking forward:

Looking back:
06/04/09
Much as a good thing this is, it's really creepy for some reason.
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