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Tue. 08/5/08 06:56 PM
Goodyear has it's share of the blame but let's not put it all on them. As NASCAR always likes to remind everyone, this is their show and their rules. They built this new car, they tested it and they dropped the ball too when it came to what kind of tire they should use for the COT. Goodyear failed to do their homework but so did NASCAR. Everyone has known all year long that there have been tire issues and NASCAR just turned a deaf ear to it and left it in the hands of Goodyear. That's completely irresponsible for a sanctioning body if you ask me. Time and time again, NASCAR has been reactive to a situation instead of proactive. NASCAR should have been forceful with Goodyear when these tire issues first arose instead of waiting until after one of the biggest debacles in the series' history to do something about it. NASCAR is just as much to blame for this mess as Goodyear is.
Kenorv, Richmond, VA
Thu. 07/31/08 12:41 PM
Memo to Indy car reps and officials : race tracks are for racing and roads, streets, and parking lots are for ordinary human beings. That is why I drive from the shadows of Houston to the north-side of Ft. Worth three week-ends a year to watch Nascar and Irl races. I never did bother to go to any of the street festivals with race cars that were held in the parking lot of our new Nfl stadium and Astrodome area which is less than one {1} hour from my house. FYI: Texas Motor Speedway is @ six {6} hours from here, depending on weather and traffic. Still haven't fully recovered from the "lost week-end" of the Firestone 600... So don't lose those of us fans who kept your butts racing on highspeed ovals, while your F1 wanna-be buddies raced to small, tempory stands and eventually went broke..
Texas Mike, Richmond, Tx
Wed. 07/30/08 10:02 AM
Doug, you're absolutely right to not blame Goodyear. First, let me say this about the Brickyard 400. I attended the first 12 of these events. After 9 years of being crammed into small seats and having to deal with drunken idiots for 4+ hours (I actually had to assist security with removal of some of these clowns), we were told we could move down to the hills along the backstretch so long as we had a ticket. More and more people are doing this, so that does explain SOME of the empty seats there. I, too, noticed a great deal of empty seats, alot more than the hills can hold.
The problem, point-blank, is NASCAR. They are a money hungry juggernaut that, in their own minds, can do no wrong; people will pay, no matter what. The ticket prices have become outrageous, souvenirs are overpriced (especially diecast), and the racing sucks. It's sad that a track the size of Indy, with 250,000 fans, can only muster a $10,000,000 pot for the drivers. That race should pay the winner no less than $2,000,000 to win!!
The COT is still a work in progress and I would hope for changes at the end of the season. As badly as they are needed now, I really don't want NASCAR to start nickel and diming the teams with stupid changes during the season. My ideas for the COT (especially after Indy) are:
1. Raise the splitter
2. Replace that ridiculous wing with a more traditional spoiler with side "skirts" on it. That will most definitely eliminate the right rear issues we saw this weekend. Also, it will greatly improve visibility for ALL the drivers.
3. Adjust the weight transfer (roll-over) on the COT. The best, and simplest way is to stiffen the right side of the car so it doesn't roll-over as much.
Bottom line, if NASCAR wants to stay in business, they need to "pull their heads out" and realize that the fans AND the drivers are the reason(s) they exist. Without either, they're just another failed American business. These changes need to happen at the top (Brian France and Mike Helton).
I no longer put as much emphasis on NASCAR races; this is mostly due to NASCAR's attitude(s). I just have better things to do with my Sundays.
ghstrdr54, Jefferson City, MO
Mon. 06/16/08 09:02 PM
First, let me start by saying I am a "true" NASCAR fanatic, and have been for years (back to when Cale was driving).
I have always said, in my opion, NASCAR was a "true" athletic sport and drivers were "true" athletes, try having the "average-Joe" do what these death-defying drivers do, not just for one race, but an entire season. However, my opinion was been greatly altered as of yesterdays Michigan "Life-Lock" 400, not my opinion on the latter point, but on the first opinion....THE SPORT.
A sporting outcome is determined on the field, on the court, on the diamond, on the rink, maybe even by the officials, but NEVER, let me repeat myself in case you missed that last line....NEVER by management or ownership, that would be titled by another name....... maybe....... COLLUSION!!!
Maybe the U.S. Senate should leave Bob Kraft and the Pariots alone and start talking to the France Family.
NASCAR accomplised what it, not only wanted to do, but, what it NEEDED..... divert the attention of media and fans from the "black-eye" (pardon the pun) of the surprise anouncement of the upcoming racial and sexual harrasment lawsuit, to the "faux-win", no matter how fixed it was, of the NASCAR "golden-child.
Can someone please explain to me how a driver with so little to claim as accomplishments can garner so much attention by fans and media.... that however is enough for a whole series of article in itself?!?!?!
Way to go NASCAR...... "WAG THE DOG"..... noone does it better than you!!!!!
BAMA23SMOKE20, Madison, AL
Sun. 06/15/08 04:33 PM
I agree with what you wrote about the racial discrimination suit against NASCAR.
And, curious to learn your thoughts on the following...do you believe that one, NASCAR's efforts to embrace diversity in their family are sincere? Or, as often is the case, is just surface and good for a moment of great PR/Branding?
If it is the first, than what do you think they will do internally to educate everyone and externally to educate and invite diversity in?
That is my concern always when a company or organization claims they embrace diversity. Do they really...with all the responsibility that comes with it, or is it a surface attempt to quiet folks for a moment?
NASCAR has a great history, but it has also been a very one way of thinking institution that does not compliment society in 2008.
Just my two cents.
The Playbook, Charlotte, NC
Mon. 05/26/08 04:30 PM
Doesn't it seem kind of odd the "The Great American Race" was powered by Honda. Shame on you Detroit.
cotile, BOYCE, La
Sat. 05/10/08 01:54 AM
I love car racing and when I saw this blog I immediately read it. I have also read Racing Odds and Ends, it is also all about car racing.
carmusk, carson, US
Mon. 03/10/08 08:00 AM
now that we have gibbs and toyota together the two sneaks
detroit can forget about nascar. lets see first pearle harbor now lets let gibbs get all the info they can about the new r07 engine. im sure that wasnt any help towards making horsepower
spinalcracker, des moines, ia
Spinalcracker, I wrote this last September: General Motors took it in stride. The reaction was measured and calm and covered up the pain that all of GM's latest technological breakthroughs just got delivered to Toyota inside the head of Gibbs' engine-building guru Mark Cronquist. Toyota needed Cronquist as much as it needed Stewart and Bush. I wrote: They just pulled off the equivalent of Babe Ruth being sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees... Doug Guthrie
Sat. 02/23/08 03:07 PM
NASCAR = 50 year old technology. Push rods, carburetor, solid rear axle.
INDY = Overhead cams. fuel injected, live axles.
The split hurt the open wheel people.
Now that their back together, let's hope they get it together.
shep, Livingston, TX
Mon. 02/18/08 05:54 PM
how about a little coverage on the F-1.
it does exist. thoroughbreds!
apache, three rivers, mi
You are absolutely correct, Apache. F-1 is an amazing technologically advanced series with great personalities. Too bad there won't be a U.S. Grand Prix this year. -- Doug Guthrie
Thu. 02/14/08 11:59 PM
Hey Doug - Actually, one of the things I like about drag racing is its television package. You know the finals are going to be on ESPN2, and usually, they are going to run from 7-10 p.m. I love that consistency. Take a look at Cup, and they are on several networks during the year, and starting times are all over the map.
Humberto Ortega, Grand Rapids, Mi
Mon. 11/19/07 12:24 PM
Testing the forum
Felix, Troy, MI
Tue. 09/25/07 10:44 PM
If I remember correctly, there were 2 hendrick cars that were off on quarter panel heights in one race (Chicago, maybe?). One was too low on the right side and one was too high on the left side. Nascar's answer was "it's ok because there was not a competitive advantage in either case. Same senario here. 25 points in the chase. What about some consistency in rules enforcement?????????
lawrence8, Hartselle, AL
Sat. 09/22/07 12:40 PM
What I have heard, Doug, is that Bruton Smith wants New Hampshire so he can take one of those dates and give it to Las Vegas.
Humberto Ortega, Grand Rapids, Mi
Fri. 09/14/07 09:51 PM
Check out www.fordbook.com and read the fantastic new book called Ford and the American Dream written by Pat Doyle and Clifton Lambreth. The book provides a glance into the Ford Motor Company and blueprint for Ford to return to greatness. It's a must read. Check out the website.
Carman62, Atlanta, GA
