[Cloud9...68]

No, I haven't taken leave of my senses (or any of my teeth, as far as I know...). But I was flipping through the channels this past Sunday, and ran across the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen, and I have to say, in terms of sheer competitiveness and spectator excitement, it was some of the best racing I've ever seen. The way the drivers were able to drive those tanks three-abreast weaving through the turns and elevations changes at the limit was impressive, as was the level of grip these monsters have. No, I'll never become a NASCAR fan - watching a race on an oval, where drafting seems to be 98% of the task, is about as thrilling as reading a stereo instruction manual. But on a proper road coarse, with how evenly matched the cars are (SO different from Formula 1), I couldn't pry myself away from the TV.

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[JWahlsten]

I watched it as I love the Glen, and yes, I think those guys really drive well on the portion of the track they use. I wish they would use the whole course, but their brakes don't hold up to the abuse. Unfortunately, they had a LOT of red flag time this year. Seems to me the track owners have done a nice job making run off space and the drivers are using said space to go faster.



The two abreast through the esses between Ambrose and Allmendinger was awesome. Aj didn't give any quarter (or racing room really) to Marcus the last couple of restarts. Very close, hard racing.



I hadn't watched a race in a long time as I've come to the opinion at times it's like the WWF of racing. It may not be, but when Jr just happens to win on the anniversary of his dad's death or something similar, I have to think there might be some overlooking of liberties going on.

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[optigolf]

WG is very interesting track, to watch races, but especially when you can drive the whole track. It was nice to watch when my other home country man Marcus was doing his professional job there.

I have been there last year with my 968 cab over ten days on DEs and this year with my MO30 three days and going there again for two days this weekend.

If you have an opportunity to do DE or race at the Glen, you will not regret it, even with 968, which flash seem not like as enjoyable track car - I have a bit different opinion, especially when you can hurry up 911, Subaru STI, Camaros etc. in the twisty and elevated corners.

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[williamoss]

I used to drive the glen with my 924 with a special suspension pkg that Porsche brought into the USA. There were only 100 of them and another 300 in Europe. It would be great to drive the track again in my 968. What I liked the most about watching the race on TV was if you were familiar with the track you could see all the turns and see yourself in a car doing just that, running at the glen.

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[Chris Vais]

The NASCAR road race at Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point) is equally exciting, however they don't use the carousel, which would make it really interesting!!

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[Cloud9...68]

Yeah, I just don't get ovals, which is what 95% of NASCAR races tend to be on, so I'll never be a NASCAR fan. Which is why I kept slapping myself to make sure I was awake, and actually watching and enjoying a NASCAR race this past Sunday.

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[ds968]

I presume that's not the race with the Tony Stewart incident , since no one mentioned it in this thread..? ( I only heard some sketchy details about another driver walking on the track during the race and getting hit by Stewart's car, killing the other driver ) I assume since Stewart is a NASCAR guy, it was at one of the circuit races they have. I never watch, never will.

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[JWahlsten]

Tony's incident was on a local track where they run sprint cars. He didn't run this weekend. You can see the incident on Youtube. Scary and tragic, but I don't think malicious.

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[Cloud9...68]

Dan,



I'm with you 100% - I hate everything about NASCAR - the ridiculous cars, the redneck image, everything. Which is why I was so shocked at myself thoroughly enjoying the sheer driving skill and competitiveness of the Watkins Glen race. I still can't believe I actually enjoyed a NASCAR race, but there's no denying it. What do I do now?

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[flash]

hysterical - i did the same flipping thing - wife yelled at me from the kitchen "are you watching nascar???" lasted a whole 45 seconds before i flipped to something else.

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[Rap]

The number one rule is you don't get out of your car unless it's on fire. Parents teach children not to step in front of cars.



I missed this race but WG is my fav track and one you must respect. Going thru the esses abreast is amazing. You come thru two and hug the right side( follow the yellow brick road, yellow checkers going up) and then turn into the apex and as you straighten the car going thru a narrow chute with blue armanac hugging the sides right before the backstretch you put it into fifth and away you go

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[Cloud9...68]

I guess the thing that really struck me about this whole experience is that while driving my car on the track is the most exciting and enjoyable thing I've ever done (I've led a VERY dull life...), I generally don't find watching racing to be very interesting. I lose interest after a couple of minutes, especially watching the follow-the-leader procession that is Formula 1. So I was very surprised that I was actually glued to the TV watching the NASCAR good-old-boys slog their beasts around Watkins Glen. it was actually exciting RACING, where the outcome of the race was completely up in the air for a very long time.

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[ds968]

As much as I enjoy Formula 1, I must admit that on many courses it does turn out to be a " follow the leader " situation, and that drives me nuts as well.. As for NASCAR I can watch the first lap and the last lap and I've essentially seen the only interesting part of the entire race ( IMO ) , except for possibly the occasional crashes during the rest of the race which I believe is secretly the real reason most NASCAR fans attend the races. And chugging down five or six Buds or Millers ( or whatever piss-like beers they sell there ) before the race even starts definitely enhances the experience so I can totally understand why it has such a large following, lol.

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[Cloud9...68]

I totally agree with that as it applies to an oval, where 95% of NASCAR races are run - I'd rather watch iron oxidize. But at Watkins Glen, it was a whole different story - I was impressed by the skill of the drivers, how well the cars handled the challenging road course, the competitiveness of the racing, the amount of passing (much of it at very treacherous locations), and the uncertainty of the outcome - in other words, it was what a race should be. And yet, it was NASCAR. The universe is clearly out of balance...

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[ds968]

Careful, this is convincing enough to make me start watching NASCAR <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> ( but only at Watkins Glen ! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> )

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[Cloud9...68]

Or definitely only on road courses. And even there, you have to ignore the gratuitous track-level stationary camera/microphone location where it picks up the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh of the cars whizzing by, as if that's supposed to to be some sort of turn-on for the Honey-Boo-Boo fans in the audience.

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[JWahlsten]

I'd say Bristol or Martinsville can be entertaining too, but I haven't watched them in years either. I'd rather just go to the track or go play golf... I can't imagine what those guys would do with Road Atlanta, VIR, Mid-Ohio, or similar. Apparently, they used to run VIR back in the day as one of the corners is called Petty corner.

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