I never thought I would be the one defending NASCAR. Other than a few good memories, what have they ever done for me? Well, there are the countless Sunday afternoon naps on the couch that the cookie cutter tracks induced. And, more than a few drunken arguments about which driver was better. Maybe a few more exoticnightclubs discovered in far flung locales such as Bristol, Charlotte, and Florence SC. But, really, I could probably live without NASCAR. Yet, here I am, the lone voice of reason, having to defend the billion dollar industry.
I wasn't on this site during NASCAR season last year. So perhaps I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of indignation over the percieved screw ups by NASCAR concerning RobbyGordon and qualifying being rained out. Wow! I can't wait for an actual miscarriage of justice by NASCAR. My computer will probaly blow up from all the blogs hitting the screen.
First, RobbyGordon. Robby Freaking Gordon? I have never once saw a fan at any track wearing any RG gear. Where did all these 'poor Robby' bloggers come from? NASCAR set a ZERO tollerance policy regarding cheating with the COT. He rolled up to a NASCAR inspection with unapproved parts. Whether he knew, or not NASCAR considers it cheating under the ZERO tollerance policy. In this day and age we Americans love to play the blame game. Everyone's a victim. MamaHillary will take care of me. Here's some free advice for Robby....NUT UP, AND SHUT UP.
Rainedoutqualifying. Every team knows NASCAR's policy on this, and yet they continue to show up whether they're in the top35 or not. Some of you bleeding hearts feel this is an unfair system. That it's not fair to the little guy. Welcome to America. Only the strong survive, unless Hillary or Obama get elected. Then you can change that to...only the strong pay taxes. Some of you propose a lottery type system for rained out qualifying. because it will level the playing field. You think a local based start up team with $100,000 invested in the team should have the same opportunity as an established team, not in the top35, with millions invested?
NASCAR is a business. They are in business to make money. They will take care of the sponsors before the fans, because without the sponsors dollars there would be no NASCAR. The fans can talk of boycotts, but NASCAR won't listen to anthing except corporate dollars.
With Robby I agree, everyone suddenly complaining they're picking on the little guys, when they spend every other week following a Jr, Johnson, Gordon or Stewart.
The top-35 rule is out-dated and broken. It should be the fastest 43 race, no matter who they are. Yes that means the teams with $100,000 budgets have the same chance as the big guys, but quite frankly if the big teams are beaten by the start up teams, then they probably don't deserve to race anyway.
NASCAR needs to realise it's a sport, not a business. It has fans, not share-holders.
I haven't heard Robby complaining himself, but I don't read the NASCAR homepage or heard any news reports about the penalties. Having said that, I'm guessing Robby hasn't taken a high profile on this issue - rather, it's the folks who tend to see problems in any large, successful organization (... and having said THAT - those folks are not infrequently correct in their skepticism).
I'm a long time RG fan (from the open wheel days), and think he wears this sort of injustice - perceived or real - as a badge of rebel honor.
Also, ... I'm picking up a distinct anti-Obama/anti-Clinton bias. Maybe I'm just overly sensitive.
Great post! The analogy of the politics of sports isn't far from reality. More than being a sport, it's a business. If you don't believe that, wait till you have to subscribe to the NASCAR network to see races, or pony up cash for when it becomes a pay-per-view event. Just like real life it's the Haves vs the Have Nots, and you best be careful which side of that line you get caught on. Dale Jr's migration to a more stable team is a fine example.
As for rain-outs, the top-35 are there for a reason. They've invested years and millions to work their way into an elite group. Don't cheapen their accomplishments with a lottery that caters to the less successful and accomplished.
jb....thanks for chiming in. NASCAR is worried about pleasing sponsors, not fans. So expect to see big sponsored cars have a better shot at making the race than a small team.
nascar has ruined the sport of racing going back to the new points systems in my oppinion they need to go back the way it was alot of good drivers are getting cheated out of a championship
I think we hit "Post" at about the same time there ...
Yes, he most definitely embarrassed NASCAR (probably his mother too) in Canada. But he further endeared himself to me and, I think, more than a few others.
The Synchronized Ying/Yang Victory Donuts were CLASSIC. I'm amazed that the footage hasn't risen to legendary status on YouTube (and am not surprised it's not on the official NASCAR websites at all).
Looks like you and I drink from the same barrel... You know I'm learning by listening to you and others discuss NASCAR, but we're fully in tune when it comes to politics... You don't farm in the Western US and vote for Demos if you know what's good for you...
Cowboy....thanks for reading and for the comments. I'm glad someone else understands the reasons behind the top 35, and the business of NASCAR. Unfortunately most NASCAR bloggers have no idea what's involved in running a business, let alone a billion dollar one.
good post buddy, I just wanted to point out, if fans boycotted they certainly could influence those corporate dollars you speak of, becase ultimately the corporate dollars are invested because of the giant fan base. So NASCAR should exercise a little caution as far as the opinion of the average fan. I personally don't have a problem with the system the way it is. There SHOULD be a no tolerance policy with cheating, the whole sport is based on the premise that, with equal resources the best driver should emerge victorious. The best in-race strategy, not the best subtle manipulation of the race car; there is no room for that. As for the rainouts, what is expected? Maybe they should do a rock paper scissor tournament to determine the field and starting order.
cj - while I have a feeling from this post and the comments we're never going to agree on the top-35, I'm going to back up my opinions. I understand why the top-35 rule was introduced. To stop father & son teams who only turned up to a few races a year (notably their home tracks) from outsting the big names.
But for one reason or another father & son teams don't exist in the Cup series anymore. The teams that are being sent home are probably not much poorer funded than the teams that are getting, The Red Bull cars, The Valvoline car - they're all fully funded whole season outfits, driven by professional drivers. They deserve as much chance at running as everyone else.
fade...That could work, IF the fans would stick to it. Remember the baseball strike in the mid-90s(you might be too young, Hah), the fans were pissed, and weren't coming to the games. That didn't last too long.
Thanks for your nice, concise, well written comment. And I LOVE your ro-sham-bo idea for rainouts.
So hypothetically speaking, what would be the drivers' response to fans refusing to watch, run the cars on jet fuel? lol. Or would they weigh down their shoes with lead soles? That will put butts back in the bleachers!
jb....I respect your opinions. I'm sure we could both write pages and pages supporting our own views on the top 35, but we wouldn't change the other's mind. We will just have to agree to disagree on this matter.
I always appreciate getting one of your well thought out coments. Thanks.
fade....hypothetically, the drivers would probably race in front of empty seats with no problem. The sponsors might have a problem with it, and if sponsor ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
Started blogging New Years 2008. As you can tell, I never took any writing classes, creative or otherwise. If I ever win a Pulitzer, or any other award, I won't forget all of you little people that made it possible.____ _____________ _____________
I recently started another, non-sports, blog. Please check it out at fullclipbyog. blogspot.com_ _____________ _________
Likes: Live NFL games, night racing at Bristol, Salma Hayek, Lex and Terry, ATHF, Jay and Silent Bob, beer at Joe Riley Park, strippers, Jaxon de Ville (best mascot in sports, if you haven't seen him live don't argue), fast cars, faster women, fastest bartenders. _____________ _____________ _____________ __________
Don't Likes: Dane Cook (WTF), Dan Patrick, Howard Stern, N.E. Pats, hairy women, stopping beer sales at the start of the third quarter, strip clubs, idiots who say 'it is what it is', makeup calls by the refs or umps. _____________ _____________ _____________ __________
Quote: 'I am funnier than Dat Phan.'
