48 replies to this topic

[Emax]

I've been a NASCAR fan since 1949 (East Coast Modifieds) and have noticed that succeeeding generations seem to think they've invented this sport that is now becoming the biggest spectator draw in sports.

Who out there is immersed in "stock" car racing? Who drives for you? What about it interests you?

Pictured here is Wally Campbell with the Wally Marks #1 car, 1950. Wally was an early NASCAR champ. Photo was probably taken at Hinchliffe Stadium in Patterson, NJ.

[SkiBachelor]

I was kind of into it when I was younger but lost interest after middle school.

[lastchair_44]

I can't get into it...maybe if I was actually there

[poloxskier]

lastchair_44, on Jul 9 2006, 08:19 PM, said:

I can't get into it...maybe if I was actually there

Working the pits as medical crew was always fun but for the most part I can't really get into it.

[Peter]

I just don't see the appeal of watching cars go around and around. The whole thing seems like such a waste.

[poloxskier]

Skier, on Jul 9 2006, 08:31 PM, said:

I just don't see the appeal of watching cars go around and around. The whole thing seems like such a waste.

Its not watching them go around, Its when they stop quickly thats so much fun.

[KZ]

I like rally racing. I'm not a huge fan of big pushrod american v8's. I can apperciate a turbocharged 2.5 litre putting out 400+ hp.

I have always been a fan of the crashes as nothing compares to the carnage of a nascar crash, and 99% of the time everyone walks away un hurt. Gotta love the safety factor.

[liftmech]

I've never been that into it, although I enjoy the speed factor. I guess that runs for any sport that involves speed. One of my daughters loves to watch. She says the whole thing is exciting. As for drivers- I went to school with many members of the Kahne family, so I pull for Kasey (he was a few years behind me).

[Emax]

"I like rally racing. I'm not a huge fan of big pushrod american v8's. I can apperciate a turbocharged 2.5 litre putting out 400+ hp."

Same here - but I have to admit that NASCAR has done a great job of equalizing the cars, making the competition very close. F1 racing - while far more high tech - is not nearly as interesting to watch. For sheer driving thrill though, it's hard to beat a 250cc superkart. Not much to interest spectators with them though - except for the initial surprise of 180 mph from a six-foot, 400 lb machine.

[spunkyskier01]

i dont realy like nascar, unless their on road courses (such as my semi local track walkins glen), rally racing is alot of fun, i personaly like winter ice racing

[mikest2]

F1, Cart, Indy are too easily dominated. Nascar seems to me to be much more open to drivers and teams having a good day. The Nascar races I really enjoy are where they get to turn right a lot (like at the glen)

[hyak.net]

I watch the Nascar races when I get a chance. The real short tracks are not as interesting to me because they just get to jammed up with cars, but I'll watch if I have the time. I also watch IRL and dirt track racing.

I've been to Daytona twice and its really cool to see the race first hand.

[Ontariodude]

im sorry but im into F1

[Emax]

"im sorry but im into F1"

...and I'm into skunk-works jets and NASA - but neither they nor F1 are particularly competitive.

Sorry you're sorry. I'm sorry about that. An out-of-joint nose is a hell of a thing to live with.

[Ontariodude]

common emax! can we get along here? The reason why i said sorry was because i am not interested in Nascar because it doesn't make any sense to me (that's my opinion). - i didnt want to sound mean to all those NASCAR lovers out there

I like F1 because of the fact that the races are located all around the world and the cars go so much faster. That i can remember, Nascar cars top out at 190mph while a straitaway at the Italian curcuit, F1 cars reach 225mph (isn't that insane!). Each race is a showcase for their country. going around and around a oval is just weird to me. i love the fact the track isn't just a 1 - 2.5 mile oval, but a 4 - 6 kilometre course with straitaways, highspeed corners, and hairpins. And most of all, you got to enjoy watching guys crash and destroy their 5million dollar cars!

Im not saying NASCAR is stupid! Im just saying it isn't my cup of tea! In fact, i usually watch at least one Nascar race in full every year. - Daytona 500 - but in the past years i have become interested in F1. I don't even chear for the best racers, i chear for the underdog Canadian Gilles Villeneuve (he used to be the world champ a long time ago)


Now please don't take my comments too far. I just dont like Nascar except for the crashing part.

and yes, NASCAR crashes are better!

[Lift Dinosaur]

I enjoy all forms of motorsports. Grew up on motorcycles (went 100mph on a Yamaha 250 Special when I was 16!), moved to So Cal and got into sports car road racing at Riverside and Santa Barbara. Back to bikes at Laguna Seca as well as CanAm cars (They were the best!!)
Started watching NASCAR (then Grand National) cars at Riverside in the mid 60's as one of the "road race ringers", Dan Gurney, was from my hometown and have followed them ever since. In 1994 while working at Copper I had the opportunity to meet a NASCAR driver, and I now trade him and his family skiing for racing. I generally attend at least one race a year and I'll be going to the race at Michigan in August as his guest.
So you might say I'm in to it.

[chasl]

The only way to enjoy F1 is if you are drunk. What fun is it to watch one car follow another, with one or two passes per race, depending on what track they are at. Some tracks they can not even pass on. Montoya is leaving F1, as in his words F1 is BORING. For me it is the Busch brothers 2 and 5 all the way.

[Lift Dinosaur]

chasl, on Jul 20 2006, 04:51 PM, said:

The only way to enjoy F1 is if you are drunk. What fun is it to watch one car follow another, with one or two passes per race, depending on what track they are at. Some tracks they can not even pass on. Montoya is leaving F1, as in his words F1 is BORING. For me it is the Busch brothers 2 and 5 all the way.

Or if you have box seats = drunk. I have watched some F1 on SPEED, and like you say, its in the can. The guy who makes it thru the first turn first will win unless he has a mechanical failure, then the guy who comes thru 2nd wins.
It will be interesting to see how Juan Pablo fares in CUP. He's used to 17,000 rpm's, launch control, traction control, paddle shift, etc. But now he doesn't have to worry about the "Open Wheel Factor".
Your thoughts?

[Emax]

"Your thoughts?"

I'd imagine that adapting to tire conservation will be a hurdle for him - that and not having unlimited lateral traction.

On the positive side, I'm sure that the comparative driver safety will be welcome.

[ski9600]

Ontariodude, on Jul 20 2006, 10:54 AM, said:

im sorry but im into F1

don't be sorry! F1 is my favorite as well. I've been to 2 races. I also like watching the MotoGP now that it's on. There is much more passing and you can see the riders while they work unlike auto racing. I also won't miss Aussie V8s and World Rally (unbelievable crash video from these).
I like to watch Inside Nextel Cup on Monday nights instead of spending 4 hours watching the race on Sunday. I think Michael Waltrip & Kenny Schraeder are funny.