So all, on this beautiful feb 15th, 2009, What are your predictions for this 61st season of America's most famous Motorsport? This sport (and yes, it is a sport) believe it or not, brings in more revenue each year than Football, baseball and basketball COMBINED. And It's hard to argue with history.

For many of us (myself included) NASCAR has held a special place in our hearts throughout our childhood and even through our adult years. To my family, it was more than a sport.

On February 18th 2001, A champion's life was cut tragically short. I was at Daytona that day, sitting on turn 4 with my great uncle and my father, on what is now one of the most significant days in the history of NASCAR. The day 7-time Winston Cup Champion, Dale Earhardt, was killed. He put his car into the wall nose first at 198 mph, a crash many drivers have seen before. This one would have a tragic end.

It is from the ashes of this tragedy that NASCAR recieved more publicity than ever before. And to this day, It is the most watched/most attended motorsport in America...and perhaps, the world.

So please members, Discuss. And take a moment to remember the man, that died on lap 198 of that fateful race.



EDIT: Crap, this should probably go in the Press Box, sorry. Can a mod stick it there plz?

 

Wow...no nascar fans here? hard to believe as big of a member base we have from the south...

 

IMO The skill level is lower in NASCAR than the skill required to pilot a Le Mans GT car for 8 hours of a 24 hour race. I don't mean any disrespect to NASCAR fans, but the skill of making high speed lefts on a banked track while trying to draft to pass doesn't seem as exciting as GT racing to me. I wish I was a NASCAR fan. You guys get all of the cool videos, and you sometimes monopolize the speed channel for what seems like weeks.

PS again I dont mean any disrespect to NASCAR people.

 

Git-R-Dun.


This is a threadjack, but I'd like to know why the Nascar crowd has such a reverence for Dale Earnhardt. I guess he was a good driver, but other than that what did he do? Wasn't he known to do whatever it takes to win a race? Is that classy? Do tell.

Again I just don't understand the canonization of this man. Did he help orhpans in Africa? Did he find a cure for cancer? As far as I can tell he raced cars in continous left circles, and that's about it.

 

LMAO. I am familiar with the NASCAR image.

 

There arent just left turns...

Watkens Glen is a good example of this:

Watkins Glen International Raceway

Having said that, Like all racing Its very exciting to watch in person, if you have never been to a race I could see how one could find it "dull" or "boring". It is one thing to be able to drive a car fast, its a completely different situation when everyone else on the track is trying to go as fast or faster than you are. This goes for every racing sport, not just NASCAR. When every car can do 200+mph, the race isnt easy.

My goal isnt to recruit new NASCAR fans, if you dont like it thats fine. I dont like alot of things out there. I find ALL motorsports interesting, but I simply do not have the time to keep up with all of them, NASCAR happens on sundays...I dont work on sundays so it works out. I was raised in/around NASCAR. My family knows the Earnhardt family, and I cannot even begin to explain the persona that Sr. had when he raced. You either liked him, or you didnt. Having met the man on several occasions, I can say I truly respected the man. He didnt feed the poor, He didnt cure cancer, He wasnt even a Hero...but like him or not, all can agree, He was one Hell of a Driver.

So go ahead and say what you want... But I have driven a winston (now sprint) cup car... get in a car that is that uncomfortable, goes 200+, is 180+ degrees inside (on a cool day), then do 500 2.5 mile laps around an oval while someone is trying to pass you (OH, and you cant look out the side/rear windows, the use of one mirror and your spotter is all you get)and tell me if your tired. Oh, and dont forget the 10 second pitstops.

 

I'm not a terribly big racing fan in general, but, comparing NASCAR to Formula 1, I far prefer NASCAR and Indy racing. NASCAR and Indy, to me is RACING....pedal-to-the-metal. F1/Champ-Car is more of a shifting, braking, and hairpin-turn contest. Anyone can win (or fall out) of a NASCAR race at any time......in F1, on road courses, there are far fewer position changes, and it gets boring.

But, to be honest, I have one BIG beef with NASCAR officials......IMO, they should have tossed Tony Stewart out of the league several years ago. While he is not the only dirty driver around (Daddy Earnhardt did some questionable things behind the wheel, too, although I feel sorry for his untimely death), I don't think I've ever seen someone drive and bump people in a more unethical manner than Stewart.........and, to top it off, he gets in fights and openly flaunts his style in front of the NASCAR brass, because he knows he's an untouchable and they won't suspend or expel him. I think the only reason they keep him is because he has a big fan base and brings in the bucks in ticket sales.

 

I have said the same thing about Stewart for years. Not many people know this, but thats why he isnt driving for Home Depot this year. They dumped him because that isnt the Image they wanted associated with their name, and thats what he was quickly becoming...the p**** of NASCAR. It would seem this has changed his attitude a little judging by todays race, but we will see.

As far as Daddy Earnhardt goes, I'll be the first to admit he has done some questionable things...but never since i followed his career had I ever seen him intentionally put someone into the wall. I have seen Stewart do this on more than one occasion. Earnhardt took calculated risks, Stewart is just plain reckless.

 

I know that you're not trying to recruit, I was just wondering why the love for a race car driver? What did he do outside of racing that makes him worthy of such adoration from millions? I can think of dozens of other humans more worthy of the love and respect shown to this man.

I'm sorry he died, really I am, but he knew the risks of racing cars and he profited greatly from them.

 

Nothing really...do we have to have a reason? I love my dad too. I adore Sr cause he was a friend of my Father's and of His Father's. Millions of others adore him because he symbolized what they couldnt be/wanted to be. I dont really know, Im not a shrink. LOL.

 

Fair enough, you don't have to have a reason per se. I see stickers and license plates frames and so on and always wonder to myself WTF? Why?

Perhaps some other fans will stop in and give their opinion too.

Enjoy the season!

 

LOL, i feel you man, sometimes I see some things and wonder why myself. i have seen people Idolize Lance armstrong...I cant figure that one out.

I do know that alot of Dale Earnhardt's Proceeds from merchandise (which still sells) goes to research for Heart disease and Alzheimers. Other than that, I cant really give you a reason man.

Thanks though, we will enjoy the sport!

 

You have to understand that Dale was apart of NASCAR for years. Any driver that has been around for as long as him would have the same fan reaction to his death.

You'd be surprised how many people actually watch NASCAR but won't admit it because of the way society views the sport.

 

Very true. Take Richard Petty for instance. He doesnt even drive anymore, But i would bet when he dies, the racing world will feel it just as bad as when Sr. died. The only difference is Petty will never die behind the wheel of a racecar oduring a race...while helping to push his son to victory.

 

That's why he is remembered. I watched that race too, doing everything he could to keep Jr. up front, 1 mile from the finish line.