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May 4, 2017
The basic problem is that NASCAR racing got boring. I mean, booooooorrrriiiiinnnnggg.
That means that all the Cup races - the big leagues of NASCAR - are basically just one big IROC series, a now-defunct racing series in which, "Drivers raced identically-prepared stock cars set up by a single team of mechanics in an effort to make the race purely a test of driver ability." The problem with using the COT in NASCAR is that brand distinction (Ford, Chevy, etc.) now means nothing at all. It did back in, say, Richard Petty's day. The cars now are all the same except for very minor and immaterial differences. In Daytona there was a field of 30-plus cars that all had almost exactly the same performance envelopes and so most all the race looked like a large clump of cars running around the track together. So drivers aren't racing anymore; the winner usually just turns out to be the luckiest of the last men standing, having missed being wiped out in a pile up. That means the "race" is boring because viewers are not actually watching a competition, just a high-speed game of Russian Roulette. Donald Sensing in NASCAR getting smaller and smaller. Solution: Increase the diversity!
Posted by gerardvanderleun at May 4, 2017 3:27 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
NASCAR at the Cup level is not auto racing. The drivers are highly paid, cultured clones who obey their masters orders (mega buck corporate sponsors). These clones behind the wheel of essentially identical vehicles put on a parade and the old fans are gone. Television enriched, then destroyed NASCAR Cup racing completely.
Basically what you have is Buggar Ball on wheels. Snow flake drivers in million dollar rides to hell.
Posted by: Terry at May 4, 2017 4:35 PM
Even if they were different makes, they would still look alike. Subarus look like Toyotas; Fords and Kias look alike to me, for a sample of 4. All the adverts covering them act as camouflage.
Posted by: Sam L. at May 4, 2017 6:36 PM
"NAPCAR"! -- You're killing me!
Posted by: Donald Sensing at May 4, 2017 6:59 PM
Everythings the same now, stamped out templates, no originality, blandness, yawn, boring nothings not worth even thinking about.
Seems like there's about 3 people in charge of the world and their worldview for everything is light gray cardboard.
We've taken care of everything
The words you read, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
Look around at this world we've made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh, what a nice, contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night
I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know, it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Don't annoy us further!
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the Plan!
Posted by: ghostsniper at May 4, 2017 7:29 PM
All auto racing, Formula I, NASCAR, Indy cars have the same problem: identical cars. As late as the 1960's, you could bring just about anything to any race and run with it. In 1967, Parnelli Jones drove a four-wheel drive, turbine engine, mid mounted in an aluminum frame an Indy 500. He blew the doors off every other car until he has a transmission failure. Indy outlawed the car and all sorts of other innovation.
Similarly, catamarans have ruined the America's Cup. J-boats should be mandated.
Posted by: bob sykes at May 5, 2017 3:59 AM
Formula One, IMSA, with their identical cars BTW, and others are doing great, in fact viewership is increasing.
All the while the races are very different. Formula One is short and sweet, literally one tank of gas races. While IMSA races can be long, six, twelve and even 24 hours. But what they have in common is "road racing" very close to what we all do everyday of our lives.
Maybe going around in circles is...I dunno...boring.
Posted by: tim at May 5, 2017 6:08 AM
"Maybe going around in circles is...I dunno...boring."
================
Speedway at Ascot is not boring, far from it. If that stuff doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat you need a transfusion.
Posted by: ghostsniper at May 5, 2017 8:45 AM
"Speedway at Ascot"...???
Little help, not seeing that track on schedule -
http://www.nascar.com/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series/schedule/
Posted by: tim at May 5, 2017 9:08 AM
I've got a few friends that love NASCAR and they attend all of the time.
Me....I've broken and trained horses, I hunt with every conceivable tool for the job, and all over the place...except Africa, I fly fish in salt water, I play a musical instrument and I'm an involved husband and dad.
NASCAR....meh.
Posted by: jack at May 5, 2017 9:09 AM
Go down to your local toyota dealer and tell them you want to buy a two door Camry with a V-8 engine. Can't do it. No such car is for sale for any price. In the old days you could go to Dodge and buy a Hemi powered Charger Daytona with the exact same body that was raced on Sunday. In fact, Dodge had to build 500 Daytonas just so they could call it a 'Stock Car'. What ever happened to that rule? NASCAR is total Bullshit and has been for years. Anyone that believes it is motor racing is too stupid to have the vote.
Posted by: Roger Watts at May 5, 2017 5:51 PM
I was speaking of racing in general.
More balls than brains to get into Speedway motorcycle racing, look it up.
Posted by: ghostsniper at May 5, 2017 8:22 PM