@haylard
9/27/2013
D-Shape Oval Overload
I'm ready for the debate on something that is truly detrimental to stock car racing, as opposed to something like SpinGate. That is the excessive number of 1.5 mile D-shape oval races on the NASCAR schedule. The overload on this type of racing is a silent killer of the quality of the NASCAR product. I read a great article by PattyKay Lilley @MamaPKL www.racefansforever.com the other day about how Bruton Smith was already running roughshod over the southern short track culture in the 90's by getting Cup races at places like Texas and Vegas while leaving behind old treasures like North Wilkesboro, Hickory, and Rockingham. I was fortunate to enjoy a few Rockingham races in my early days of fanhood. YouTube has come in quite handy though for getting back to the roots at those other gems. Is it strictly Bruton Smith's fault? Kentucky was having no luck getting a Cup race until Smith took it over. I'm open for suggestions on why the 1.5 milers have become so prominent, because I simply do not see how it can be just a high demand for that kind of racing. Let's call them all out right here: Atlanta and Charlotte are the originals. That used to be 4 races of 1.5 mile action a year, equal to the number of plate-track races, so it was OK then and not overload. Then came Texas, Vegas, Homestead (slightly different but you're still one of em'), Chicago, Kansas, and Kentucky. Essentially ONE THIRD of the schedule, not to mention HALF of the blankity blank Chase schedule. I consider Chicago, Kansas, and Kentucky to basically being the same track. I have been to Kentucky twice as it is less than 2 hours from me. I WANT to love it so bad, but it is tough. I was at the inaugural Cup race and this past summer's. Fortunately, the first year, my buddies and I were in there partying by Friday night and didn't get stuck in traffic. This past summer I drove up on Sunday for the rainout date and had no problem waltzing right in before race time. Attendance at Kentucky has plummeted. Anyone see the NNS race there the other night? I think there were 75 people in the stands. Ticket prices, no big screen, lousy alcohol policy, and lousier on-track action are the major barriers to me loving Kentucky. That first race I sat in Turn 1 and watched 400 miles of single-file racing....watching every single car break for Turn 1 on the exact same hash mark. Except for winner Kyle Busch who was hawking it out about half a car width further than the rest. An additional 'half-groove' has slowly come in over these past 3-4 years, but it won't be long until they re-pave it and then back to square one. It's like I'm forcing myself to like Kentucky, then I see races at Kansas and Chicago and think.....really? more of this? Kansas seems to draw a massive crowd yet...and that is awesome. Shout out to the NASCAR fans out there in the plains! You all are great fans, and you deserve better than Kansas Speedway. Like the Chase though, it seems these 1.5 milers are here to stay...and it's too bad.....sooooooo bad. It's only a matter of time before Vegas gets a 2nd date, and I hope it doesn't come at the expense of another great track like Richmond or Darlington. Why can't we get over stupid stuff like Spingate and get the pitchforks out to fight against REAL actions detrimental to stock car racing??
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]
D-Shape Oval Overload
I'm ready for the debate on something that is truly detrimental to stock car racing, as opposed to something like SpinGate. That is the excessive number of 1.5 mile D-shape oval races on the NASCAR schedule. The overload on this type of racing is a silent killer of the quality of the NASCAR product. I read a great article by PattyKay Lilley @MamaPKL www.racefansforever.com the other day about how Bruton Smith was already running roughshod over the southern short track culture in the 90's by getting Cup races at places like Texas and Vegas while leaving behind old treasures like North Wilkesboro, Hickory, and Rockingham. I was fortunate to enjoy a few Rockingham races in my early days of fanhood. YouTube has come in quite handy though for getting back to the roots at those other gems. Is it strictly Bruton Smith's fault? Kentucky was having no luck getting a Cup race until Smith took it over. I'm open for suggestions on why the 1.5 milers have become so prominent, because I simply do not see how it can be just a high demand for that kind of racing. Let's call them all out right here: Atlanta and Charlotte are the originals. That used to be 4 races of 1.5 mile action a year, equal to the number of plate-track races, so it was OK then and not overload. Then came Texas, Vegas, Homestead (slightly different but you're still one of em'), Chicago, Kansas, and Kentucky. Essentially ONE THIRD of the schedule, not to mention HALF of the blankity blank Chase schedule. I consider Chicago, Kansas, and Kentucky to basically being the same track. I have been to Kentucky twice as it is less than 2 hours from me. I WANT to love it so bad, but it is tough. I was at the inaugural Cup race and this past summer's. Fortunately, the first year, my buddies and I were in there partying by Friday night and didn't get stuck in traffic. This past summer I drove up on Sunday for the rainout date and had no problem waltzing right in before race time. Attendance at Kentucky has plummeted. Anyone see the NNS race there the other night? I think there were 75 people in the stands. Ticket prices, no big screen, lousy alcohol policy, and lousier on-track action are the major barriers to me loving Kentucky. That first race I sat in Turn 1 and watched 400 miles of single-file racing....watching every single car break for Turn 1 on the exact same hash mark. Except for winner Kyle Busch who was hawking it out about half a car width further than the rest. An additional 'half-groove' has slowly come in over these past 3-4 years, but it won't be long until they re-pave it and then back to square one. It's like I'm forcing myself to like Kentucky, then I see races at Kansas and Chicago and think.....really? more of this? Kansas seems to draw a massive crowd yet...and that is awesome. Shout out to the NASCAR fans out there in the plains! You all are great fans, and you deserve better than Kansas Speedway. Like the Chase though, it seems these 1.5 milers are here to stay...and it's too bad.....sooooooo bad. It's only a matter of time before Vegas gets a 2nd date, and I hope it doesn't come at the expense of another great track like Richmond or Darlington. Why can't we get over stupid stuff like Spingate and get the pitchforks out to fight against REAL actions detrimental to stock car racing??
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]
9/26/2013
NAPA Know-How!!! (to do what's best for them)
I would absolutely be floored if NAPA sticks with Truex to go to another team. Does anyone really think they're leaving MWR because of SpinGate? I'm again..calling SHENANIGANS!! This has to be a convenient reason to leave Truex and MWR. Truex is a dang good driver, but he's not Cup-champion material (well, with the stupid Chase, I guess anything is possible), but I view this as NAPA taking an opportunity to either upgrade their driver profile or save the millions upon millions during these economic times. SpinGate just gives them legal leverage to leave MWR due to 'slander' or whatever the lawyers come up with. I hear Tony Stewart could use some more money...for him or for SHR in general. I bet NAPA would love to get back to Chevy. Unless I see NAPA stick with Truex and go to another team, I will refuse to believe that their departure was really about Spingate....they're trying to get more bang for their buck, and they dang well should do that if they please. Same with 5-Hour energy...Bowyer is a Chase-caliber driver every year, but there are drivers out there needing sponsorship who win a lot more races and are consistent championship threats. NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA NAPA KNOW HOW....to do what's best for them!...and don't hate em for it!
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]
9/26/2013
NAPA Know-How!!! (to do what's best for them)
I would absolutely be floored if NAPA sticks with Truex to go to another team. Does anyone really think they're leaving MWR because of SpinGate? I'm again..calling SHENANIGANS!! This has to be a convenient reason to leave Truex and MWR. Truex is a dang good driver, but he's not Cup-champion material (well, with the stupid Chase, I guess anything is possible), but I view this as NAPA taking an opportunity to either upgrade their driver profile or save the millions upon millions during these economic times. SpinGate just gives them legal leverage to leave MWR due to 'slander' or whatever the lawyers come up with. I hear Tony Stewart could use some more money...for him or for SHR in general. I bet NAPA would love to get back to Chevy. Unless I see NAPA stick with Truex and go to another team, I will refuse to believe that their departure was really about Spingate....they're trying to get more bang for their buck, and they dang well should do that if they please. Same with 5-Hour energy...Bowyer is a Chase-caliber driver every year, but there are drivers out there needing sponsorship who win a lot more races and are consistent championship threats. NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA NAPA KNOW HOW....to do what's best for them!...and don't hate em for it!
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]
9/26/2013
Scandal? Scam? Shenanigans!
I decided to start a blog mostly as an outlet for all the frustration I've had with other NASCAR fans on twitter lately. So, if nobody reads this, at least I am getting it out of my system. Never really liked blogs, haven't been on many blog sites, but hey, there are still some free sites out there. Anyways, if there are people reading this and want to comment, agree, disagree, argue, or kick my ass, send it right to me on twitter @haylard or at [email protected].
I started my @haylard twitter account as a psuedo-anon account to discuss NASCAR with other fans sprinkled with some conservative commentary without dealing with people I know in real-life. It's been awesome, but lately, it's been more frustrating than usual as I've followed more people/gained more followers. The whiny complainers out with their pitchforks for Mikey Waltrip, Bowyer, and NASCAR (love it when people talk like it's one person), have really set me off. Was it kinda sorta sleezy to get Clint to spin out? Yes. Should teams alter the end of the race? No. BUUUT.....should Truex really be in the Chase? NO. Heck, should Newman, Logano, or Gordon be in the Chase? NO. Everybody out there did what they had to do to try to get in that dang Chase for 26 races. If you're on the bubble at Richmond, crap can happen. I'm not necessarily condoning what MWR may or may not have had Bowyer and Vickers do, but it certainly doesn't warrant the slanderous terms that angry fans and media have slapped on it.....like Scandal, Scam, Controversy, Loss of NASCAR's integrity, etc. The NBA had a REAL scandal a couple years back. There were actually referees betting on games they called. THAT is a real scandal. What we saw at Richmond was shenanigans, tomfoolery if you will. MWR already had Bowyer locked in the Chase, and they had an opportunity to get one more car in. (Would probably be 3 cars if Mikey would give it all up already, but hey, he's the owner, and he can do what he pleases. This is America!!!). I have been floored over and over at the people out there with their pitchforks over this one. Be glad, whoever you are, you got Newman and Gordon in the Chase. 13 friggin drivers in the Chase. That's what we have now because of years of complaining from a variety of different pitchforkers. Sadly, I find it hilarious that none of the drivers affected by Spingate are even a factor so far. The worst part is thinking how many drivers will be in the Chase in 4-5 years. People complain about sandbagging? The more drivers in the Chase, the more you're killing incentive through the first 26 races. NASCAR, I'm calling SHENANIGANS!!
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]
I decided to start a blog mostly as an outlet for all the frustration I've had with other NASCAR fans on twitter lately. So, if nobody reads this, at least I am getting it out of my system. Never really liked blogs, haven't been on many blog sites, but hey, there are still some free sites out there. Anyways, if there are people reading this and want to comment, agree, disagree, argue, or kick my ass, send it right to me on twitter @haylard or at [email protected].
I started my @haylard twitter account as a psuedo-anon account to discuss NASCAR with other fans sprinkled with some conservative commentary without dealing with people I know in real-life. It's been awesome, but lately, it's been more frustrating than usual as I've followed more people/gained more followers. The whiny complainers out with their pitchforks for Mikey Waltrip, Bowyer, and NASCAR (love it when people talk like it's one person), have really set me off. Was it kinda sorta sleezy to get Clint to spin out? Yes. Should teams alter the end of the race? No. BUUUT.....should Truex really be in the Chase? NO. Heck, should Newman, Logano, or Gordon be in the Chase? NO. Everybody out there did what they had to do to try to get in that dang Chase for 26 races. If you're on the bubble at Richmond, crap can happen. I'm not necessarily condoning what MWR may or may not have had Bowyer and Vickers do, but it certainly doesn't warrant the slanderous terms that angry fans and media have slapped on it.....like Scandal, Scam, Controversy, Loss of NASCAR's integrity, etc. The NBA had a REAL scandal a couple years back. There were actually referees betting on games they called. THAT is a real scandal. What we saw at Richmond was shenanigans, tomfoolery if you will. MWR already had Bowyer locked in the Chase, and they had an opportunity to get one more car in. (Would probably be 3 cars if Mikey would give it all up already, but hey, he's the owner, and he can do what he pleases. This is America!!!). I have been floored over and over at the people out there with their pitchforks over this one. Be glad, whoever you are, you got Newman and Gordon in the Chase. 13 friggin drivers in the Chase. That's what we have now because of years of complaining from a variety of different pitchforkers. Sadly, I find it hilarious that none of the drivers affected by Spingate are even a factor so far. The worst part is thinking how many drivers will be in the Chase in 4-5 years. People complain about sandbagging? The more drivers in the Chase, the more you're killing incentive through the first 26 races. NASCAR, I'm calling SHENANIGANS!!
Send all comments to @haylard or [email protected]