Yesterday’s race at Talladega made many fans lash out at Nascar and Twitter was full of comments regarding how this was not racing. It started with Nascar warning drivers not to bump draft through the turns, they wanted to see daylight between the cars at all times or they would be penalized. Their were some drivers still pushing through turns, but no penalties were handed out to anyone. For most of the day it was a single file, let’s just ride around together type of race. At times you would see 2 and 3 wide racing, however it would not last like it normally would in a restrictor plate race. Speaking of the restrictor plate, Nascar changed those as well to help slow the cars down to avoid any “big one” and to make it safer on the drivers.
Safety is great, I agree what these guys do week in and week out is dangerous. What about that wing though that is on the back of the cars? When Ryan Newman went for a wild ride, his roof flaps did come up, but once he was around backwards the wind got under that wing and propelled the back of his car into the air sending it flying. I am glad that Newman was OK after that wreck, but I wish the drivers would actually race and not be dictated by Nascar.
Maybe Nascar should just put the cars on rails and have them follow each other around the track for the restrictor plate races. No bump drafting, no accidents and Nascar can really have control over the cars. The only thing they would have to worry about is a flat tire or a car running out of gas. Yea that would make for some great racing…NOT!
Kevin Harvick came over the raidio yesterday and asked for an iPod, drink holder and cruise control. Tony Stewart was told over the radio that fans in the grand stands were selling No-Doz pills to help keep people awake during the race. People on Twitter were changing the channel to watch NFL games or leaving the race all together to get things done.
Ryan Newman was interviewed after his crash and was not to happy with Nascar, here is a direct quote from the interview:
“Drivers used to be about to race each other and respect each other,” said Newman. “Guys like Richard Petty, David Pearson and Bobby Allison — all those guys have always done that. I guess they [NASCAR] just don’t think much of us [drivers] anymore.”
On Twitter @msrachelmk said “Might as well go 2 the mall & watch da Carousel same thing circles stops 2 ad new stuff, no wrecks”
@nemorank “n the name of safety, Signal, shoulder check, start pass, shoulder check. Wave thank you. No passing on the right.”
Yesterday’s race was a disaster for Nascar, I cannot wait to see the TV ratings for the race in hourly intervals to see how many people tuned away from the race. What are your thoughts on what Nascar should do with these plate races to make it more exciting for both the drivers and the fans?
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It was a horrible Talledega.
I’ve complained for several races that the Car of Tomorrow, for all of its awesome safety, is creating too much “sameness” in the sport.
I agree with Ryan Newman all the way. I love that he stood up and said it.
Plus, NASCAR continues to add boring race tracks to the schedule. Personally? I want short tracks or tracks like Texas.
The points race? I couldn’t care less. If Jimmy Johnson can win by “playing it safe”, it isn’t about racing.