The NASCAR Thread

[dave]

When you look at all forms of racing, their biggest race doesn't fall at the end of the season. The biggest day for motorsports in general is the Sunday before Memorial Day, where you have the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and the Coke 600. All events are firmly in the middle of the season.

The Daytona 500 is called the Super Bowl of NASCAR, but in reality it has no added significance in terms of the overall season. Jimmie Johnson hasn't finished better than 27th in the last four 500's and he's won four straight championships. It's a huge race that almost defines your career if you can get a victory, but championship wise your finish there means nothing.

Thanks for the answer.
I really didn't know that.

 

[Woy]

Yeah, I've been watching it since I was a kid. I've recently trailed off from following for some reason, but I'm going to try and get into it again this year.

From the get-go of watching, Dale Sr. was my driver.. I still have posters of him on the walls of my room. When he died in '01, I was a complete wreck. Couldn't even fathom it. My driver now is Tony Stewart. I love that man.

I see, I see. I don't mind Stewart that much.

Since you were a Senior fan, do you root for Junior at all then?

 

[The Buddha]

For as good as Kasey's car was, it just didnt seem like it had what it took to take it back up front, after Elliot left him out to hang it just seemed like he could never get back up there.

I had a feeling deep down that if there was going to be a wreck late in the race, Kasey was going to get caught up in it, seems like it always happens.

 

[Woy]

For as good as Kasey's car was, it just didnt seem like it had what it took to take it back up front, after Elliot left him out to hang it just seemed like he could never get back up there.

I had a feeling deep down that if there was going to be a wreck late in the race, Kasey was going to get caught up in it, seems like it always happens.

I agree with the wrecking part; I was kind of expecting it too. However, he got back up there after Sadler left him out to dry. Once Gordon pushed him out of the line right before the second delay, that's when he was screwed.

 

[JBauerisGod]

I still need to talk myself back into watching NASCAR. I never end up watching the last part of the season because I watch the NFL games instead...but I use to watch every lap of every race, and just have found myself drifting away from it.

Heck, I had attended every Michigan race in the infield up until I got to college, and now I've been to two races since I started school. Haha. Not sure what it is...I think it's the lack of parity...I mean, even as recently as seven or eight years ago, you had guys like Ken Schrader or Joe Nemechek who had a chance to win or be competitive...but now there's the main core of drivers (Johnson/Gordon/Newman/Busch's/Truex/Earnhardt/Stewart/Martin) and not much else who even stands a chance at winning. There's maybe Logano and Kenseth who are up there every now and again, but not usually on a consistent basis...and it just makes it not exciting anymore for me. Hopefully this year's action turns it around...the 500 was a good start. Towards the end, it looked like Harvick was going to run away with it with as fast as his car was (reminded me of Dale Jr at the Pepsi 400 he won), but then he got stuck with no help, and Dale Jr came out of absolutely nowhere to challenge for the win. I'm just glad none of the "usual" suspects won, and that Jimmie finished far back. Haha.

I'm kinda the same way. I think the main reason for me losing interest is Johnson's dominance. You take one of the most boring personalities in NASCAR and give him the best crew chief and equipment and you have a formula for a boring season. It'd be one thing if Kyle Busch was winning these championships because, despite how big of a douche he is, he makes the racing interesting. Busch always gives a good interview (never know what he's going to say) which can't be said for Jimmie.

Maybe Jimmie would be more interesting if he wasn't winning all the time. Can he really get just as excited with his last win as he did with his first? Winning a race means a lot to guys like Jamie McMurray because they rarely get a chance to win, but with Johnson, how long can you get excited if you've already "been there, done that?"

 

[Woy]

I've been to races at Pocono, Dover and Charlotte. I was also at Daytona once, but that was during senior trip.

I will go to the night race at Bristol one day. That's probably the one race over all that I would want to see live.

e: I agree with you both Kle and JBauer. The dominance by Johnson has really lowered my interest over the last few years.

 

[JBauerisGod]

I went to the Daytona 500 in '04 when Junior won. Also been to a couple races at Richmond.

I really want to go to the Pepsi 400 and the Bristol night race.

 

[jeffx]

That was intense..I didn't think he was going to get up there like he did. Amazing run to finish second. Would have loved to see him get past Jamie, but I'm not to disappointed.

I can't stand DW in the broadcaster booth..he is terrible.

"Boogity, boogity, boogity, let's go racing boys!"

Amazing finish by Junior. I was like, where the fuck did he come from???

 

[Golden Taters]

I've been to races at Pocono, Dover and Charlotte. I was also at Daytona once, but that was during senior trip.

I will go to the night race at Bristol one day. That's probably the one race over all that I would want to see live.

e: I agree with you both Kle and JBauer. The dominance by Johnson has really lowered my interest over the last few years.

Whats lowered my interest is all the saftey shit, its ruined the sport. The Car of Tomorrow is gay as fuck, its not even a racecar. I hope the spoiler they're adding will make it better to watch.

 

[Golden Taters]

Jimmie Johnson is crazy

 

[Proof21]

Yea...he is a hell of a race car driver.

 

[Proof21]

I lost a lot of respece for Carl Edwards today. I realize he doesn't like the guy, but to take him out like he did today was stupid. Especially since he was running up front and Cart was 150+ laps down. Stupid.

Glad Montoya didn't win as well!

 

[Woy]

Kahne had a great car today...sucks that Montoya couldn't get a good re-start on the last GWC (Green, White, Checkered) because I thought he might have had a chance to take them both.

Oh well, finally Johnson doesn't win and Kahne gets a top five. I'm satisfied.

 

[Proof21]

I thought Johnson had it..he has been on fire. It would have been nice to see Kahne win, but Montoya sucked ass on the last restart.

Oh well, gotta love this time of the year. We had our first practice session at the track this past Saturday, gotta love it!

 

[Woy]

Bumping this up.

When did Phoenix get the second date on the schedule, just this year? That's usually a fun race though, so I'm excited.

 

[Atlas]

 

[Woy]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-d5I8yC3U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-d5I8yC3U[/ame]

 

[Woy]

I can live with a 6th place finish for Kahne, seeing he's sucked at Phoenix all his career.

 

[LC AAU]

Jeff Gordon finally breaks the streak. Good for him. He needs to make a run at the ship this year.

 

[Woy]

Another solid run for Kahne yesterday. He just needs to keep that car out of trouble and put together strings of finishes like this before we get to the middle of the season when he usually goes off. He's gotta be a favorite at Lowe's, Infineon and Pocono.