Ok, Homestead is a week away and another Nascar season is winding down. It's been an interesting year. Full of questions, anxiety, surprises, "bending" the rules, spats, blown engines, and bad coverage.
I'm thinking that Jimmie Johnson will be a repeat champion in the Nextel Cup. Gotta get used to saying Sprint Cup now. I was hoping that Tony would be there to fight for the win. Then again I was hoping I could be watching Jr bring that red Bud 8 car to the championship.
So what does everyone think of this year?
Exciting or Dull?
Too much Drama or not enough?
TNT, FOX, or ESPN?
10 drivers in the chase or 12?
Will Jr succeed in the #88 or not?
COT or not to COT
What would you give Nascar for a grade this year? Has it been a great season, average, or just plain failing? Pretend you are the teacher and give Nascar as a whole a letter grade.
Me, I think that this year rates MAYBE a C-. There were a few great races (look at Martin and Harvick's finish at the 500). But all in all- I found the season to be lackluster, not fun to follow, and the coverage totally sucked. Of course if you are Johnson or Gordon fan maybe you've had a geat season. I'd like everyone's opinion about what you think about the sport this year.
As for all of those empty seats at the races- I'm thinking they should take all of us at the Fox Sports/Nascar site and take us to all those races to fill them seats up. LOL!
I hope next year will be my drivers year! I want to see the Earnhardt name back up at the top. But I really hope Nascar uses the off season to reflect upon the problems that have plagued our sport this year. And maybe come up with some solutions.
Manufactured drama is always too much drama. The drivers on the track aren't creating anything interesting to watch. So the media manufatures angles and "drama" to take the place of actual racing action. I can't say as I blame the media. They have to cover a 4 hour event that only has 10-20 minutes of good action. They can't just have dead air...so they blab.
How about none. I hate this chase thingy. Manufactured drama. Silly and not needed. Nothing more than a gimmicky ratings grab.
"Will Jr succeed in the #88 or not?"
Eventually. He may need a season with the new team to get everything he needs in place. But put a good driver in a good car and success should follow.
"COT or not to COT
It's supposed to be safer and cheaper to run. It's supposed to level the playing field so the small one & two car teams can play with the big guns. Well, it hasn't really done any of those things, now has it? The haves of the sport still have...and the have nots still have not. Teams are reporting record costs associated with the COT. The only way to tell a Ford from a Chevy from a Dodge from a Toyota...is by looking at the sticker on the front valence. It doesn't handle as well with that spliter in the front. COT needs to go.
I will give NASCAR a D-. The only reason they didn't get an F is because Clint Bowyer finished the Daytona 500 on the track in 18th place. What is so special about that? He was on his roof. And on fire. And when he crawled out of his destroyed Impala...he grabbed a big chunk of Daytona sod and threw it over his shoulder like a championship wresting belt. Best thing I saw all year.
As for drama and excitement? I say a C+. Sometimes there was (Daytona) sometimes there wasn't (more races than I care to think about).
AS far as TV coverage...of course we pick FOX.
I don't think the number of drivers in the Chase really made a difference in the outcome at all. Just that NASCAR should decide on a number and leave it!
Also, you cannot forget all the excitement JR generated earlier this year as everyone waited for his decision on who his new team would be, and then the sponsors. I am hoping that he will settle in quickly in his new ride and find victory lane in the first part of the season. It would certainly validate his decision in teaming up with HMS.
PS. I second Lori's motion...I am willing to go to a few more races that have some extra seats...especially if someone else is buying the tickets! Of course I think a lot of people would attend more races if the overall race weekend was more affordable.
Well maybe Klvalus can get us all tickets to next years races. HE HE. Lots of excitment off the track but very little on the track.
Next year I would like to see 36 different drivers win for the 36 races. Not just two from the same Owner. What we have here is a failure to promote parity.
Oh. And while we are at it. No More Bill Elliot hogging in to race. He was great in his time but now he is a has been. Lets see the owners put in some new talent in the car #21.
Then there is the lovable Crusty Wallace. He needs to be let out to pasture quickly.
I dunno where I am going to get all this $$ to buy you all tickets! I will have to work my angles with the crews I think instead! I will work on it!
To answer your question, my dear crew chief...I give it a C for on track festivities. I think the mixed year with the COT/COY really messed up the racing.
Off track drama was definitely an A! Holy cow there was drama this year...sorry guys, as a psych I love that stuff! LOL
The racing itsel####ood B+ to bad the covrage and comercials made the year a D- If you got to see what I saw at alot of races being thee the tv people need to relook there covrage.
The fans are getting dumped on for the $ of comercials.
COT I am all for it. They will tweek it a bit. But all in all if the drivers walk away from bad wrecks great job.
Jr. and Hendrick. Hate it hate it hate it, Jr. is a money bag and that is what Hendrick wanted. I am a Hendrick/ Gordon fan, but next year only 3 out of four. I am and always will be a non earnhardt fan. Just like the Gordon haters.lol.
I look foreward to 08 and now I lke one Yoda driver the Shrub Busch. Just wait only 91 days after Homestead we go to Daytona 500...
Racing =B- . The racing hasnt been that bad. It would have been exciting as usual if not for Hendricks domination and Dale Jr DNFs.
COT =B+ It has actually been the bright spot for the season. Its worked a lot better than most predicted.
The Chase=D. There was no chase.Its been a 2 man race since the season started. It should be 5 races and the top 10.
Coverage= W (grade W for Worst or Wallace) ESPN has totally dropped the ball on coverage of all sports the last few years. When we see more OJ trial coverage and Poker on the sports leader than we see Sports scores and worthy stories, it only reminds us how much ESPN has become like reality TV.
Time to get Ready for Next YEAR! Jr with double 8's and double quality of equipment will be fun to see.
Does it seem like Dale Jr's had an unusual amount of "Murphy's Law" this year. I think he's been pretty much at the top of HIS game, BUT, what's up with the #### cars he's been given to drive this year?
I'm an EARNHARDT FAN forever and a day. He may not be THE Imtimidator, but he is the heir apparent and the apple never falls far from the tree.
This split from DEI may just be what the doctor ordered. LUV YA JR.
I am a 36 year old woman from a very small town in Montana. I am a huge Nascar fan. People ask who my driver is and I say Earnhardt, whether Sr. or Jr. I love em both. I have so much interest in the races and drivers. My car has #8 and #3 decals all over it. So does my husbands. Our sons play sports all school year - Football, Basketball, and Tennis. Our family loves most all sports. If you are interested in what I do for a living- I am a "Certified Memorialist" and a graphic designer. In easy terms- I make headstones and also signs. Building signs, car decals and signage, cabinet signs etc. etc. Being a graphic designer and working with vinyl you can imagine what our vehicles look like!! Anyway, Everyone have a good day. lol
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