point taken. I have a different measure of prosperity, but you can't argue the numbers that NASCAR is making a buttload of $$.

 

I don't exactly think we want to lower costs- I mean, there's more than enough drivers as there is.

However, creativity and ACTUAL stock cars would be great. Let's have some new Daytona's and Super Bird's around- insane cars the manufacturer's build just for NASCAR.

Did I ever tell you gus how cool it would be if they had Diesel truck's in the Craftsmen's series?

 

I always wanted to see Dale Sr get beat, not dead. We watched the race and saw him crash. I jump up and laughed. We went outside to finish up some light yard work when our neighbor came over. He said, "what about Earnhardt?" I said I think it's great. I love to see him get what he deserves. He said "dead?" Then he explained to me that he died. It was all I could do to keep from choking up. I didn't want him dead. Just humiliated a little. I figured he would be the next Richard Petty and be beating fenders til he retired. God rest his soul. edit Yes he was good for popularizing NASCAR.
I'd like to see it go back to StockCar racing too. I guess it would be between the Magnums and Marauders. That wouldn't be too bad though!

 

Once the corporations realized that NASCAR fans were fanatic about "their" driver (and his car manufacturer in turn) there was bound to be the explosion of money thrown at the teams to make them get into the winner's circle more often. Remember "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday"?

Remember JD McDuffie? Probably not. But he was the last of the small time racers to get knocked out of the big boys sport. He ran a car he handbuilt in a small service station (which was where he made his living during the week). The car stayed outside under a tarp until he was ready/had time to work on it. Sure, he never won races, but he was always there to "run with the big dogs" every Sunday. When he lost his life behind the wheel it was really the end of an era.

JD was not the poster child of good manners and may have never even heard of Dale Carnegie - unlike today's drivers who are scrubbed, scripted, and are puppets of the sponsors until they hit the track. Maybe that is why Big E has become an icon for a popularized sport - he was the last remaining holdout harking back to the "good old days." I bet Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, and Lee Petty are looking down and wondering what happened to the good old boys who drove their car to the track and then beat out the fenders on Monday so Momma could drive it to the store.

As much as I used to like to catch the three or four televised races they used to air (some tape-delayed) many years ago I now find that homogenized cars that have no resemblance to what is on the showroom and no individuality allowed by the powers-that-be no longer appeal to me. Yes, I am glad Dodge got into truck racing, but now that Toyota is also in it, who cares?

Its funny that the wealthier (more disposable income) NASCAR fans are starting to resemble all the Harley-wanna-be's you see these days. They wear the colors, but they have all of their teeth, and a house with no axles under it. And that is EXACTLY what the sponsors are banking on.

All I can say is that at least it ain't gotten to the point that Formula 1 is more unruly...............

 

Justin,
You and I agree. NASCAR is about NASCAR now. It's the show, not the race anymore. But that is what money does. The days of Petty and STP or Sr. and Goodwrench are gone. Drivers are commodities now that are bought, sold and traded based on money. No more Texas Terry and Kelloggs.
No one can deny that the Fox/NBC/TNT deal that NASCAR signed before the 2000 season has earned NASCAR jillions of dollars. Just like what Fox has done with Football and Baseball. But they have made it about the show, not the sport. How often do you see any of the big three using NASCAR wins in it's ads anymore? Maybe once in a while. Here or there. But watch a Home Depot or Lowes commercial and you cant MISS the NASCAR connection. And the Jimmy and Tony connection. And they have made it almost prohibitively expensive to do well too. You only need look at the early parts of the season when NASCAR had to pay Busch teams to hang around and field a car on Sunday to fill the field. Who doesn't remember the Subway 400 debacle where Joe Ruttman started 43rd, ran one lap and pulled into the garage. NASCAR didn't NOTICE he didn't even have a pit crew?? Yet he earned a cool $54k for just starting. Kirk Shelmerdine? Morgan Shepard?? Didn't a Pontiac or two compete as well??

I've NEVER been a fan of the common template. In fact, I'd MUCH rather see manufacturers have a LARGER stake in NASCAR instead of the smaller one. Force a manufacturer to supply STOCK OE body panels to NASCAR if they want to have their make campaigned in a race. Any team that wants to use a specific make must get the panels from the manufacturer, or even have NASCAR buy them and the teams get them from NASCAR. This eliminates a whole SLEW of team members who's jobs it is to make and attach these panels. And with the economies of scale the panels will be cheap! Teams would be allowed to make their own chassis with NASCAR mandating certain aspects for safety. No rear spoiler (unless the STOCK car has one). No front valence (unless the STOCK car has one). I WELL remember the 80's Monte Carlo fastback that Chevy produced to allow the NASCAR teams an aero advantage. Stock wheelbase and length, width.
Next, no more carberetted engines. NASCAR wants to control the speeds, allow fuel injection. NASCAR will provide the ECU and injectors to the teams that control the fuel, timing and mixture, etc. This would allow them to detune the engines for superspeedways. Teams can do what they want with exhaust and such. Suspension as well. I like the one engine rule. That is a good cost cutting measure forcing the teams to conserve.

Finally, I want to see Toyota, BMW, and others show up and race. Many of their models are more American made than some that race now!

 

I dont see what anyone gets out of NASCAR. About as exciting as watching bowling or golf.

Its a lot cheaper to go buy a case of beer and sit on the side of the interstate and wait for someone to crash...... Just about as exciting too.

 

Like Barney Rubble said- Ill throw in my 2 cents...I couldnt agree more with mostly everyone. When Rusty goes, so will I. Thank God for John Force. redramnc- good post, but ya forgot Richie Evans. Mr Pogorules- if you are watching it for the wrecks, we can agree that you should probably stick to demo derbys, or just root for Robbie Gordon. RE: Earnhardt-Everytime I hear the quote " He could see the air" I want to scream. Jimmy Spencer didnt fear him. I was there in Richmond when the race was over- Jimmy smashed Sr & Jr after the checkered. One after the other. Got out of the car and went after both Earnhardts. Both Dales hid. Next week they were selling " Im not intimidated" shirts. I did buy one of those. As for the "rigged" comment- Junior winning at Daytona after Sr's death? That was made for TV. Either that was rigged or Junior had the most illegal car in History. My apologies to R.Gordon fans-

 

I've never really watched Nascar cause it's borin but I love Drag Racin.It's fast, burtal and it is all about HP and gettin it to the ground.

I hate nascar cause for one they don't do a dead start.No lets get rollin and then go.Hell I like to see some tire smoke.

I hate Nascar cause it's all goin the distance, save fuel, save tires.Man make the race about 50 laps and tell them to put it to the floor and let it go, then we will see who is the fastest.

I love diesels but man I love to here a good cam hit down low.

 

I'm with you.

NASCAR = Big Hat, No Cattle.

 

GO KASEY KAHNE!!!! Go Mopar!!

 

Rusty fan here too. Got one more season, hope he's not snakebit again next year. Rumor is Jamie McMurray will be in the 2 car in 2006, after his deal with Ganassi is up. He's already run the 66 Busch car for RWI.

Not much on the "young guns", after Rusty I still like to see Mark, Ricky, Terry and DJ do well. I wish Jimmy Spencer could get a decent ride, just for the post race interviews.

2 more years and the current crop of 40 something drivers will be done

Drag racing? Talk about a 4 second hero.....why do they even put steering wheels in those things? All they do is go in a straight line. I'm more impressed with 43 guys doing 180+ in a 1 mile circle than 2 guys doing 300 in a qtr mile straightaway.

Any of y'all that don't like NASCAR can kiss my red......neck

 

Ahh, I like drag racing too. Bracket racing sucks, though. I make it to the Pomona Winternationals every year- they have a few top fuels and alcohol, which is good- THEN 2 HOURS OF BRACKET RACING! Then a few more good races- THEN BRACKET RACING! Last time we were there, we saw a rent-a-car (Seriously, a Ford Explorer) drag racing a Stingray Vette! And he ALMOST won. Bracket racing is only fun if your doing it.

But the vibes you get watching a Top Fueler go down the track- that needs to be experienced by everybody sometime in their life.

 

Sr? I loved to hate him. No one was better with a bad racecar. With all cars even, he would always be a contender.

Davey Allison was my man..too bad his life got taken so soon. He was destined for greatness. I hear tell, the Allison family has totally closed he doors on racing now.

Yates never has really recovered either.

NASCAR is very healthy. I thought the new 10 race shootout made for great racing.