Nascar

[wild1poet2]

Can someone explain to me why NASCAR has such a big following. I just don't get it. I mean, its huge. I could understand it if you were racing but to watch it, especially on TV???? Up in the Northeast it is a non event. But elsewhere, especially south of here it is huge. I'm intrigued bu the huge following and almost cult status some of the drivers garner.

[Perfectlap]

Its bigger in the North East than you think. They do races in New Hampshire, Pocono, Watkins Glenn and they all sell out better than any other motorsports event. Those NASCAR fans are in the closet for sure.

I suspect a big part of NASCAR fans have actually made it to their local track to watch the races and once you've done that you become a different type of fan: one that actually doesn't mind that it loses allot on the televesion screen.
As anyone who has watched a race in person will tell you its a spectacle like no other in all of sports. The sound of 50 (or whatever they have) cars roaring bumper to bumper must be as loud as it is fast. Well at least that's what my first experience watching an oval race was like

I suspect that its so popular because unlike F1 and LeMans its very competitive (everyone in the race is driving fairly equal machinery) and unlike open wheel racing or Sports Cars, most of the names sound familiar. The drivers are American not a bunch of Frenchies, Latin Americans and Funny talkin' Brittis dudes. That counts for allot because in this country we identify with the individual and not a team or a constructor. NASCAR seems to be driven by the personalities and traits of the different drivers and the fans could care less who makes their car.

THe road races they've held, although still too sloooow for my taste, have been interesting. Watching those way toooo heavy cars take fast corners is very entertaining...now pass me some beef jerky.

[prOk]

I used to hate on NASCAR as well, until I went to my first Daytona 500. You really don't understand what those drivers do until you see it in person.. countless current 'fans' I know feel the same way. My awakening came in 1982 and i've been a racing fanatic ever since (not just nascar).

I'm a big racing fan in general, IMSA, F1, Indycar.. you name it.. but far and away the most exciting is NASCAR mainly because there is actually on track action and competition is pretty equal. While other series are more 'finesse' racing, they also tend to be very boring and uneventful.. like in F1, odds are the polesitter for a race will not be challenged and they will win., unlike NASCAR where the lead is contested from start to finish. It's definitely more brute force racing, but it's so much more entertaining.

Like I said, having seen many forms of racing in person, nothing impresses it on you quite like seeing a pack of 40 cars doing 200mph nose to tail in person. Try it before you put it down. Be a fan of all racing, and don't judge it too hastily.

/b

[Adam]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/punkrokdood/motivator5f781c1be1d52c54995eb0edda.jpg
^Typical nascar fan

[Brucelee]

Shifting, braking, and turning in both directions is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I Hate the Series, but have profound respect for the Drivers. I do not consider it a form of MotorSport in any measure - I mean even Pickup Trucks..?? C'mon!

I believe it is the Modern equivalent of the Roman Games and the precurser of RollerBall!

It's purely a Gladiator Sport. Which is what makes it so popular among the Masses. But, as Socrates said: "Γεννητός έσομαι ηλίθιος" , loosely translated - The People are Idiots.

Those Cars (with look-alike Production Bodies) are simply too unstable at the speeds they attain (I mean they're within a Hare's Breath of CART, INDY and F1 Top Speeds). It's dangerous, but where's a Hillbilly gonna make that kind of dough 'cept with some Backwoods Still?

It's not about Skill so much as it is about who's willing to take the greatest Risk to please the Crowds. It's a Circus. All IMHO of course...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[PAH]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

The drivers are American not a bunch of Frenchies, Latin Americans and Funny talkin' Brittis dudes.

Which is the reason why NASCAR is not particularly popular ouside America.

We have one oval in the UK, at Rockingham, and I have heard that it is in financial trouble because no-one is interested. European (and for that matter Antipodean) race fans like to see cars turn both left and right, use the brakes, and not rely completely 100% on the physics of aerodynamics for 3 hours. Plus, we don't like to see half the race distance carried out under a full-course yellow for the slightest accident. This not only applies to NASCAR, but also IRL.

I watched the first part of the Busch Series race from Daytona live on TV here in England, and didn't see one exciting overtaking move. My wife could not understand why I (not the huge crowd at Daytona) were the least bit interested in watching a pack of cars drive in a circle.

As for some of the tactics used in NASCAR - well, they can only be descibed as irresponsible and dangerous. The drivers are forced to do it because if they don't someone else will and go on to be more successful. I'm talking about bump-drafting. No other form of motorsport uses this tactic, because it would be banned. Maybe NASCAR will realise this soon, hopefully before a car gets bumped on a turn at 200mph, and ends up in one of those packed grandstands.

I'm sure the drivers are talented, no doubt about that, but why don't they show that talent more on road courses? Then there would be far more interest in the series.

I'll go back to wathing F1, CART, the British Touring Car Championship, Le Mans (looking forward to going there this June) and Australian V8 Supercars. That is real motor sport.

All in my opinion, of course..

[jbarrow]

Do you think NASCAR would be as popular if wrecks never happened?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by jbarrow

Do you think NASCAR would be as popular if wrecks never happened?

It might even be more, imho.

[prOk]

I too miss the days when F1 was fun to watch Before Senna ) All forms of racing, although different, require talented drivers and finely tuned cars to do what they do. Just because one may not like a certain style of racing does not make it right to stereotype those that do.. I'm a nascar fan, and I know many others that are definitely not beer swilling mulletheadded rednecks from the trailer park as some here have so gracefully inferred. I won't offend your idea of what is fun and in return, try not to offend mine