2017 Nascar Thread

Because Bruton (SMI). Charlotte is a beautiful facility, but since the repave it's been pretty "meh" up front. Pack Racing is good but they dont show it on tv.

 

Atlanta has a road course variant does it not? He owns more than Charlotte... SMI and France combined will ruin this sport.

 

Don't leave Mike Helton off that list. He's contributed to the demise as much as any other......

 

I'd lay some blame on the TV networks too. They tried to cover it like stick & ball sports/ the X games. Coverage has gone down hill since the mid '90s. TNN, CBS and ESPN did a fantastic job of covering the sport. Fox and NBC are clueless. TNT did okay.

If you're into conspiracy theories, you could say the networks intentionally gave bad coverage to reduce ratings and attendance, so they could renegotiate contracts at a lower cost. The reality is "Hyper-tight" coverage is not a good way to present the sport on TV.

 

As long as DW, MW, and Hermie Sadler have a part, idc the network! Honestly, I wish they'd do a subscription based ordeal (max $15 a month) to watch races online, as we are getting new, faster internet at the house soon...

 

The only way I see races now (if I'm not there), is the free NASCAR Drive feature online. That, plus MRN or PRN stream gives me all I need. I'm not an MW or DW fan and don't need their jibber jabber.

 

Personally, I like Andy Petrie (Ex Dale Earnhardt Sr crew chief) for his "keep your opinions to yourself" broadcasting. Just tell me what's happening and leave it at that. I miss "Buffet Benny" Parsons.

 

Can't stand MW, but have always enjoyed DW talking, although not so much anymore. He seems to have lost his excitement.

 

Dee dub has turned into the old man who won't quit talking.

 

He (DW) has not meshed well with a Jeff Gordon.
I grew up with Benny Parsons, Buddy Baker, Neil Bonnett, Eli Gold, Dave Despain, Chris Economaki, and Glen & Ned Jarrett calling the races, so I'll never warm to the newer generations, though I do appreciate Jeff Burton in the booth. I could never stomach Larry Macreynolds, Chris Meyers, and Jeff Hammond.

 

The thing about him is he knows what he's talking about, but he dumbs it down for tv and amps up the wacky factor. This is probably due in part to the producer, and not DW. He was hired to play a certain role in the booth. There are three roles: central facilitator (outsider, brought in from the network), the level-headed "brains" guy (usually a former crew chief), and the contrarian/comedic relief (usually a former driver with a mouth. See: Kyle Petty, and the Waltrips).

 

Ned Jarrett, he was great. I also remember Parsons

 

One of the unfortunate circumstances of racing is mother nature.....ie, rain delays. That's when a "shortcoming" with regards to the announcers becomes the pink elephant in the room. These guys are not geared for 2 or 3 hours of filling dead air.

For my money, the "magic" of NASCAR is with Saturday night short track racing. The rest of the schedule has become so predictable and boring, I'd just as soon watch golf......or paint dry.....

 

I've been a fan of NASCAR since before Tiny Lund won the Daytona 500 driving in place of Marvin Panch. (That'll test your NASCAR I.Q.). Watching ABCs Wide World of Sports I heard names like Fireball Roberts and Junior Johnson and Richard Petty, and I was hooked. Granted I was young, but I was hooked.

I pretty much started drifting away when they started the Chase for the Championship. To me it seems awfully contrived. Because of my vocation (minister) my Sunday afternoons weren't always free, so there was a time that I recorded every race and watched it the following week. Now I look online for my race coverage. What used to take 3 hours now takes 5 minutes. Probably haven't watched 3 races per year since the chase started. But I am disappointed in the commentary on those few races I do watch. Not all drivers make good commentators.

 

Looks like the Fords are fast again this week boys. Las Vegas has been a very good track for BK lately. Look for Blaney to have a solid finish. Kenseth will be top toyota to beat, he is good at LV. Johnson top chevy to beat.

 

I vote Mid Ohio or Gateway International, Elkhart Lake or,...

 

Make them do Monaco! Just kidding... Or am I...

 

After final practice imo:

Best chevy: Johnson
Best Ford: Keselowski
Best Toyota: Busch

Pick to win: Hard not to pick Keselowski right now

Dark horse win: Ryan Blaney

 

The 18 has got it Tommorow

 

He was a good long run car like Harvick, no short run speed but could fall his way. Could fall Harvicks way as well. Competition very close tomorrow. Pit strategy and no penalties will be a major factor.