[Cloud9...68]

I suspect I won't get it on this forum, but I'm wondering if somebody could possibly explain the appeal of NASCAR. Huge, 1960's technology sedans going IN CIRCLES for an hour or two. I've heard it said that most of the bubba's and bubbette's who show up for the races come in a vehicle more technologically advanced than the ones on the track. I'm not aware of any NASCAR drivers ever having any success crossing over into any other form of racing, so the skill level involved in being successful in this series doesn't seem to be particularly high. Yet it's by far the most popular, and the most reported on, form of racing in this country. Why?? I don't get it...

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[flash]

they watch for the crashes.



same crowd as those who watch wrestling.



pretty much just dumbed down entertainment. nothing to think about. no surprises. who doesn't know that when the guy grabs the arm of the other guy and swings swings him around that the other guy won't bounce off the ropes, come back, and then slam or flip into the first guy? with nascar it's the same thing. you can see the whole thing all at once, with little chance of anything happening that they won't show in slow-mo repeat, and so you don't have to worry about missing something when you go to get another beer or hot wing or whatever



i blame it on the internet and television. nobody reads anymore, so there is no imagination or chance of independent thought and mental challenge.

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[Chris Vais]

My take on it is that NASCAR is a spectacle in much the same way as professional football is. NASCAR is the modern equivalent of the Roman colosseum. There will be crashes, maybe even a fire or explosion, a thrill a minute, if you take the time away from your brewskis and BBQ to watch. I have gone to Infineon (Sears Point for those of us who ignore corporate names) to see the NASCAR road race. Horsing one of those big NASCAR racers around a road course does require some skill. When they do the vintage races at Sears Point, every once in a while you'll see retired NASCAR cars racing.



There have been a few NASCAR drivers that have made it in the sports car world, Parnelli Jones comes to mind. Mario Andretti also. Jones used to drive a Boss 302 Mustang in the TransAm series, with great skill and a little "rubbin". "Rubbin" is racing after all. When I was at Laguna Seca for the vintages races in 2009, Mario took the very same Lotus 49 Formula 1 car that he drove to the F1 World Championship and turned a bunch of hot laps around Laguna. Impressive to say the least.

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[ds968]

+ 1 on Bob and Chris' take on the puzzling "appeal" of NASCAR. However, having said that, here is one single compelling reason to watch NASCAR :



http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from...car-wp3160 <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/clap.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



can anyone say.. Danica WHO ?! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

Lol - yeah, I read about that to the NASCAR "addition" a couple of weeks ago. Seems to be all about promotion, kind of like, oh, I don't know, professional wrestling, maybe?

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[bombfactory]

I went to my first NASCAR race a few years back at Calif... oops, Auto Club Speedway.



Toothless drunk a-holes in sleeveless tees and trucker hats everywhere. Never again!

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[Qfrank]

Just look at the demographics of the sport. Look at the sponsors. Now look at the demographics of monster truck shows, and as flash said, wrestling. Now look at the demographics of the entire country......enough said.



Now at this past Daytona 500, it was the first time since 1971, that a NON domestic car was the pace car. This year was a Toyota camry. In 1971, it was a Porsche...believe it or not.



I did not know camry's had small block V8's and came with rear drive. I guess the lumina was one of the first production front drive cars to run NASCAR back in the day, although it only came in V6 front drive variant. Toyota had to develop a new engine for NASCAR, they were unable to use the 4.7 liter power plant used in many toyota/Lexus models. They had to make and antiquated pushrod engine to compete. An overhead cam engine would have been superior.



I am all about STOCK car racing like it used to be.

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[chudson]

As a former stock car champion (amateur level) I can add this. If you have to ask you will likely never understand and for better or worse, you are in the minority. A Nascar ride is the most coveted, highest paid seat in motorsports. Look at all the open wheel drivers that are standing in line just hoping........



It's no longer other US states hoping to get a race date, it's now other countries!



And by the way Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi, Jack Roush, Joe Gibbs (aka - megga dollar businessmen) they get it! Oh, I'm sorry, did I FAIL to mention that Gibbs dumped pro football for Nascar?



Oh yeah, he got it BIG! If you don't not to fret. There's always croquet........



And no, no amount of explanation will ever make you understand. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ds968]

[quote name='chudson' timestamp='1331160388' post='122881']

Look at all the open wheel drivers that are standing in line just hoping........

[/quote]



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> who would that line consist of ? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Monstrous4Banger]

NASCAR is boring, and they dont have stock cars any more. I dont care if everybody is doin it, or how commercially successful it is. Left turns all day in a circle isnt impressive, tube frames with pushrod v8's........not impressive. A F1 driver may desire racing in NASCAR for the money, but no one can deny the it takes more skill to drive F1. Then again...I cant stand buttwiper...err I mean budweiser. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-epi...and-stupid

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[flash]

just because something is the biggest money maker doesn't make it the best. nascar is a typical example of catering to the lowest common denominator. it's much like reality tv. sit down, tune in, crack your beer and shut your brain off.



great way to sell detergent and soda pop though.

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[94SilverCab]

^ ^ ^



Or Viagra <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

Well, at least we have a NASCAR defender. He's right - I suppose there isn't anything that could make me understand the appeal of it. And as far as skill level, Chris makes a good point about Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti, but more recently, I remember reading a story of Jeff Gordon getting a test drive in a Formula 1 car. This was when Gordon was at the peak of his game. The writer was trying to be very kind, but despite the fact that Gordon was given quite a bit of time to acclimate to the car, he absolutely sucked. There was somebody else testing at the same time (can't remember who he was, but it wasn't anybody famous - not an F1 test driver or anything), and he blew Gordon's times out of the water.

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[DaveN]

NASCAR? Don't get me started. I think everything in the auto store labelled NASCAR IS worth twice the price. (why is there no emoticon for the gag reflex?)

A month in Belize sans SPF couldn't get my neck that red! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Rap]

When I was a young man long ago, I worked security at the Coca Cola 500 and some other race at that eludes me at Longpond. I don't remember much but I do remember the pit p---y. It was spectacular. Still is as I understand. Crashes and chicks. It Dona git much better than that!

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[ds968]

I'm pretty sure that F1 drivers earn a lot bigger salaries than Nascar drivers, but I would imagine the endorsements income upswing potential is probably the "X" factor that might attract some of the poorest F1 drivers to jump ship..



and I suspect there will be many opposing opinions to this but ..I'm confident that everyone here is able to drive a NASCAR ( I do not mean in a race, but taking it out at triple digit speeds on an oval track by yourself ) but less than 1% of us would even be able to drive more than 100 ft in a Formula 1 or Indy car without crashing it, spinning it, stalling it, etc. The talent required between the two is not even an apples to oranges comparison , there is an exponential difference

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[Cloud9...68]

Dan,



I agree. Don't F1 engines idle at something like 6000 rpm? A smooth launch must be a tad tricky...

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[Monstrous4Banger]

[quote name='flash' timestamp='1331165268' post='122885']

great way to sell detergent and soda pop though.

[/quote]



Or vagisil, see link above. Warning, your side may split from laughter.

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[flash]

you can go take out a nascar car at the school at the speedway here. pretty sure i'd have a tough time getting somebody to let me drive their F1 car

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[Qfrank]

If they made it a road course, it would be a lot more interesting.

I like watching M3's, Corvettes, Vipers, Audi's, Porsches,Cadillac's, all at the same time.....racing the track.

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