NASCAR

[Pidgeon]

This past weekend I took the opportunity to attend the last of the 'WINSTON CUP SERIES' auto race. (even bought a t-shirt stating same). 'Round and round she goes'.  However, it was motor racing and it was exciting. There were three or four wrecks but everybody walked away OK. There were several individual drivers who gave a good show chasing each other. But pity the poor guy who was leading right up to and past the white flag when his engine blew halfway thru the final lap. From first to last in one half lap.

[Matt Harper]

Hey Pidge
Careful mentioning stuff like NASCAR on this forum!! Seriously, I quite like the series. I saw the Ford 400 on TV. Looks like the changes made to the track at Homestead have paid-off - 3 car wide groove made for good multi-overtaking race.
Shame about Bill Elliott (he cut a rear tyre, not a blown engine) - he may well retire now and it would have been nice for him to finish a very successful career with a win. They didn't call him 'Awesome Bill from Dawsonville' for nothing.
Labonte happened to be loitering in 2nd when the tyre let go and nicked the race, IMO.
It'll be interesting to see how the series runs next season, without Winston.
See you at Daytona for Rolex 24??

[Fax]

Matt,
Agreed on the changes to Homestead track, it was originally designed and built with CART in mind and hosting a NASCAR race was almost an afterthought.  NASCAR races on flat tracks tend to be very processional (the Brickyard 400 being a perfect example). With the Champ Cars no longer racing there it made perfect sense to hike up the banking and make it a bit more Good-Ole-Boy friendly.
John

[Robbo SPS]

NASCAR , on this forum.

Fair enough , even i would have to admit that when i take my bike to the USA in the next few years , i WILL watch a circuit race , maybe INDY 500 , which has a good atmosphere for a weekend .

Only then after seeing it live can i really praise or SLATE it.

For the unknown , whats the difference with WINSTON going . Revenues etc , or TV deals ?

[Chris24]

Nice one Pidge.
I watched it on NASN and had to feel sorry for bill Elliott. Just proves that it ain't over till the fat lady sings ! Also felt sorry for Newman and Busch, minding their own business and get taken out by Harvick getting loose and he carried on with no damage.

[Chef]

compaired to f1, i'd watch NASCAR. at least they over take and its not over untill its over.

[Canada Phil]

Alright I fess up I too watched it. Over at Kirk's house in front of the big screen TV. a couple of DAB's and
Grolsch and a comfy chair...zzzzzzz. woke up for the last 20 laps anyway. Looks like a proper roundy round track now. For those wanting to see NASCAR live I would recomend Rockingham or Atlanta over Indy or restrictor plate races like Daytona 500.
Canada Phil

[Chris24]

Hi Phil,

Gonna have to disagree on this one.
I will agree about Indy or Daytona regarding the racing but they have so much prestige that it is hard not to feel like you are part of something special when you are those tracks.
I have been to both for Nascar.

I can't comment on Rockingham as I have never been there, but Atlanta looked pretty good when I went there for a track tour before driving across to Road Atlanta in October. Very much like Lowes (Charlotte) so racing is good as it always is at Charlotte . (At least when i went it was !)

However, I believe the restrictor plate racing at Talladega has to be seen to be believed with packs of cars racing 4 wide. This is on my list of must get to races.

But you can not beat Bristol Motor Speedway as the best place to watch a Nascar race. 1/2 mile track, 160,000 people sat round it for 500 laps at night. Awesume !  Thats why I have been 3 times and going again next year.