BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY....LET'S GO RACIN'

[AGRIMAN]

I wasn't trying to say there's no talented drivers in NASCAR today. You could argue over who has it and who don't but I don't think anyone can say it's not there today. I was referring to what I believe will happen in the future.

If what some of us believe is happening (WWF/FE) then I believe the drivers of the future will be judged more by their on camera ability than their driving ability. If NASCAR is turning the sport toward FE they are more than likely going to want to control the out come in someway or another and I don't believe a true talented driver with real heart and soul and a passion for racing will want anything to do with it.

I will admit the cameras and the spot light can add a different twist to things. Me and 7 of my friends sign up with the NHRA to run some indoor shows a few years back so I got a taste of what FE racing was like. We were not the main attraction some we weren't scripted, but at the drivers meetings we did get a chance to hear and read what the big boys were told to do. We all had fun and it's a different feeling knowing that 40,000 eyes are watching you, but it's wasn't much of a race really.... We were from different classes but all run together as equal. We all got paid the same amount in advance and the only thing extra for winning was bragging rights, a 60 sec interview in the spotlight and a wave to the crowd... Well the autograph session was kind of cool. With a little driving and a lot of lady luck I was able to win 2 out 3 and got my 15 minutes of fame, but we all knew that 95% of the people watching didn't have any idea or care what was really going on. They were there for a good time and we gave it to them, so I guess there is something to the FE thing like it or not.

It takes MEGA dollars to race NASCAR these days so I'm sure they are under pressure from all the big name sponsors to do something to get their cars more TV time and the COT probably help there to. It seems it will slow them down again and bunch them up (more cars in one shot) but what it also means is that when one guy slips up.... he will end up taking out 15 other guys with them.

Ray66v,

It's nice to think that you can stop money from finding it's way to the top, but very hard to do. Money will always find away around a rule without breaking it. We have tried many times and you wouldn't believe what some guys will spend to get around a simple rule. Maybe NASCAR can pull it off, but I think it will lead to more rules and more commonality and I don't believe stoping money is what NASCAR has in mind.

Let me answer number 2 with something for us all to think about. Is racing just about the driver? What's next, common set-ups? Is a good driver determined by his ability to win with a first place car or his ability to still win with a three place car. Sure you can argue that similar car will bring out the better drivers or will they?

Maybe I'm just old school and from the days when it was ok to fight about who was the best Ford, Chevy or Dodge.(and you could tell them apart) Who is cheating and how, when it was still all about American muscle and to see that old unrestricted Thunderbird nearly lap the field. Back when racing meant going as fast as you can and the boys from GA were turning it loose and holding it at 212.809 mph. That's what I'm talking about!

I believe someone said it's the natural next step for the sport. Maybe their right, Maybe I'm putting to much of my personnel feelings about what racing should be into this. Who knows, but I have seen little things happen that just don't add up to me and for what ever reason this old southern boy don't like it.

Just my opinion.


Race: to go, move, or function at top speed or out of control

 

[ray66v]

Thanks, AGRIMAN I can see your point now.
I am "New School" so I don't have all that "Old School" background to know what I'm missing. The only thing I know for sure is, I not comfortable thinking someone died for my entertainment. After watching Dale do it, I considered giving up the sport. But, after some time I realized that it was an accident, (mostly), and I concluded that NASCAR was doing everything reasonable to make the sport safe. If the COT is only going to help in that regard and it appears like it has done that, then at least as far as I'm concerned, it is worth it.

 

[RobertN]

It takes MEGA dollars to race NASCAR these days so I'm sure they are under pressure from all the big name sponsors to do something to get their cars more TV time and the COT probably help there to.

It's nice to think that you can stop money from finding it's way to the top, but very hard to do. Money will always find away around a rule without breaking it. We have tried many times and you wouldn't believe what some guys will spend to get around a simple rule. Maybe NASCAR can pull it off, but I think it will lead to more rules and more commonality and I don't believe stoping money is what NASCAR has in mind.

Locally we used to have a Claimer division at one of the tracks. Maybe that would keep prices down... It was more of an entry level class though; keep the price down(who wants to put a lot in to a car if someone can "claim" it for a rules specified amount).

 

[RobertN]

How many people are near tracks?

We are fortunate around here. Within a half our, there is http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com/placerville/index.html(1/4 mile dirt), Untitled Document (drag strip, motocross, dirt oval), http://www.allamericanspeedway.com/(paved oval), Prairie City OHV(motocross, go cart, mountian bike, mud drags)

Within an hour radius, add a dirt track in Grass Valley, another in Marysville. There's also www.fastfridays.com(flat track motorcycle)

A little further out is an oval track in Altamont, road course and Dragstrip at Sears Point(Infineon raceway). Chico has an awesome dirt oval. Calistoga has one of the fastest dirt tracks on the west coast.

There's others that I am missing...

That's a lot of racing in a short radius from Placerville, and Sacramento.

 

[NewToy]

The plate came out much earlier. Nothing could keep up with a Hemi in the late 60's till the demise of the big block in '71/'72. The only thing that came close was the 427 Fords, but even they could not hang with them. First thing they did was restrict it.

Imagine running Daytona or Talledega, in a Daytona or Talladega, in '70, with the tires and suspension then. Those cars ran really fast, and their records were not broke by much.

I was only 7 or 8 when they ran those cars; I don't remember much. Most I have read. I sure would like to own a Superbird Too bad a reasonable one starts at over $100k. Funny though, nice Talledega's are out there on occasion, in the $30k range.

I should have clarified that Bobby Allison brought about the mandatory use of the plate at Daytona and Talladega. The first time the plate was used was in the early 70's in an attempt to limit the HP of the big block engines to the 358CID level. Rusty took a ride around Talladega a few years ago without a plate and had a 224 mph lap, Scary fast. When most people talk about restrictor plate racing they are referring to the current use of the plate.

John

 

[RobertN]

I should have clarified that Bobby Allison brought about the mandatory use of the plate at Daytona and Talladega. The first time the plate was used was in the early 70's in an attempt to limit the HP of the big block engines to the 358CID level. Rusty took a ride around Talladega a few years ago without a plate and had a 224 mph lap, Scary fast. When most people talk about restrictor plate racing they are referring to the current use of the plate.

John

Scary fast... Can you imagine how fast the Talledega's, Superbirds, and Daytona's could have gone if they had the tire, shock, and spring technology they have now?

Richard Petty destroked a Hemi to meet the smaller displacement, but factory back was waning by then...

 

[NewToy]

Scary fast... Can you imagine how fast the Talledega's, Superbirds, and Daytona's could have gone if they had the tire, shock, and spring technology they have now?

Richard Petty destroked a Hemi to meet the smaller displacement, but factory back was waning by then...

You have to give it to the "King", I think his 200 wins is a record that will stand for a long time, if not forever. Not to take anything away from him but todays intensified tech inspections would have taken some wins away if not points and some winnings in the form of fines. IMHO..
You're right about those guys driving those beasts from the 70's, they were fearless. I remember reading a comment by King Richard, he was talking about some of todays diminutive drivers not being able to drive the cars of yesteryear prior to Geoff Bodine helping to introduce power steering in Cup racing. Without power steering they just were not physically strong enough to handle the car for a 400, 500 or 600 mile race. The driver's pre power steering were all mostly big strong guys, now the little fella's have a chance.

John

 

[montanaman]

Haven't had much time to follow NASCAR lately but I do get to the local dirt track at least a few times a summer. Hours of fun for less than going to a movie! We are lucky to have a good local track and we get the World of Outlaws there a couple of times a year.

Is it just me, or does the rear wing on the COT remind anyone else of the "dudes" Honda that rides by and rattles your windows with his fart can muffler?? Well they have Toyota in there so maybe NASCAR is trying to capture the tuner fan!

Ken

 

[dgl24087]

I believe the wing came about because the cars were extremely unstable with the spoiler when the front splitter was added.

 

[hockeypuck]

Is it just me or is Kyle Bush turning in to a spoiled brat.