2017 Nascar Thread

Martinsville has fresh LED lights:

http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Martinsville-Speedway--411824105.html

 

why same day race and qualifying? what are they gunna qualify for Talladega at 8 am? what about people who buy pit passes, are you going to have to show up at the crack of dawn? im not a big fan of it being I attend 3 races a year, and two of the races don't have lights...

 

Yes, lots of valid questions. I'm not sure who is pushing all these last-minute changes, Monster, NASCAR Driver's Council, or NASCAR brass themselves. I doubt doubt the latter, as they're known to drag their feet for decades on every little decision. Progress is historically incremental in NASCAR, so to see so many rules changes in such a short time either points to the Driver's Council being a tour de force, or Monster swinging their big energy-filled balls to make NASCAR whatever it wants. I'm afraid Monster is simply using NASCAR as a test bed for ideas they haven't implemented in other series they sponsor.

 

they must want to sell more monster by making everyone need that energy boost to enjoy being at a track as a fan.... I mean think about it, no1 is at the track that early, especially not Talladega, and people watch qualifying there in the afternoons, but most people (who didn't get drunk and hungover) get up, shower and eat... for the other tracks, if at night, it screws everyone who works the next day (yes there are night races, but I feel with same day qualifying there will be ALOT more). and imagine and sort of a weather shortened scenario.... the same day thing is really brewing up a sour storm for the fans who go to the tracks...

 

This would make things interesting for sure. Take the guess factor out of entering turn one on the same day that you qualified, which may be similar conditions vs. previous day conditions. Also seems like they'd sell less Coke & Monster drinks because lots of folks hang out for practices, qualifying, and the race, which would bring them to the vendors more frequently, so not sure if the idea was Monster's. It's usually better for business to keep fans at the facility for longer, and better for the track owners also. In saying that, ISC(International Speedway Corporation for you newbies) has more tracks than anyone and has always been in wed lock with the France family, so in doing this, I'm not really sure what they are thinking. I'd like to hear what Brian France has to say about it though. If anyone gets some media on this, please post it.

 

keeping them longer isn't good to me... especially since i attend talladega with no lights...

 

I hear ya. I just say to myself, "if it aint broke, don't fix it!", but they have yet to call me for a consult.

 

I think it brings up a whole series of strategy questions. Depending on how much time is allowed between qualifying and racing do put the race setup under the car, qualifying setup that can be quickly changed to a race setup or a hybrid of both that would allow for a wide range of adjustments to keep up with conditions.

 

Earnhardt Jr. has left the Driver's Council:
http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/01/25/dale-earnhardt-jr-wont-be-on-drivers-council-this-year/

 

You guys bring up some good points on both sides of the table regarding one day shows. Here's more on One Day Shows in NASCAR:
http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/are-one-day-shows-in-nascar-s-future-868354/

 

What a load....

 

One of the theories about the new points system is that they're trying to "Jimmie-Proof" the championship, much like they did after 2003 with the Chase format. Kenseth won the championship that year on consistency and only one win. Strangely enough, they're going back to rewarding consistency with the addition of giving wins more value too. Looking at it that way, it kind of makes sense. If you look at Knauss and Johnson, they tend to strike early with a win on a gamble, then Hendrick lays off for a good portion of the season before heating back up in late Summer (except for last year). Look at last season: Jimmie won in February and March and didn't win again until October. NASCAR isn't so much Jimmie-proofing the championship as they are incentivising everyone else to not sandbag and maybe they can outscore Jimmie, even if incrementally.

 

Either that or incentivizing Jimmie and Chad to work even harder.

 

Any of you guys watching the Rolex 24? I'm relatively engaged like every year.

 

Yep. Just returned early from a party to check into the race. Wet tracks is making those transitions from road course to banked speedway pretty tough.

 

24 Hours of Daytona live feed: http://imsatv.imsa.com/

Give a listen to the Cadillac V8.

 

No doubt. Love to get in a few laps in one of those or a LM Vette! Bucket list deal right there.

 

I watched the 'Vette team practicing at Road Atlanta a few months back. That car is by far the MEANEST sounding race car I've ever heard. TV does not do it justice. I teach a few miles from the track and I could hear them all day. As soon as the kids and buses left, I booked it to the track and stood at the gate watch them coming down the hill onto the front stretch.

 

BTW: Jeff Gordon punted someone earlier in the race. Lots of early mistakes. Surprised to see 5-time winner Scott Pruett already on because of a driver error.

http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/watch-jeff-gordon-forget-hes-not-in-nascar-anymore-pun-1791736844