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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/2/11 1:36 p.m.

I know, I know, NASCAR's boring, etc., etc., but we've been keeping tabs on Andy Lally's rookie season in NASCAR's Sprint Cup. He started with Improved Touring Toyota MR2s and Formula 440s before becoming one of the country's top road racers. Today he starts at Daytona from the seventh position. Not bad for a fellow Long Islander.

Graefin10
Graefin10 Reader
7/2/11 1:44 p.m.

If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy Dork
7/2/11 1:47 p.m.

I've taken over driving a late model at our local 3/8 mile oval, after racing ministock for 5 years, as well as roadracing and winning my region two years in a row.

Driving a late model on an oval is the most difficult thing I've ever done in motorsports.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
7/2/11 1:49 p.m.
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.

To watch-Boring to watch!

pres589
pres589 Dork
7/2/11 1:53 p.m.

Aren't the chassis now all built to a single spec, with a spec tire, and what amounts to a Chevrolet V8 displacing between 355 and 358 cubic inches breathing through a carb?

I don't know, seems boring...

Graefin10
Graefin10 Reader
7/2/11 2:25 p.m.
pres589 wrote: Aren't the chassis now all built to a single spec, with a spec tire, and what amounts to a Chevrolet V8 displacing between 355 and 358 cubic inches breathing through a carb? I don't know, seems boring...

I totally respect your opinion, and you're right it IS a spec. series now. Personally, I've never gotten tired of watching a pack of FVs, SS Miatas or any of the other spec. road racing series race. In seeing how extremely difficult it is for road racing specialists to do well in NASCAR, I've developed a new respect for the skill these guys have. I've followed NASCAR off and on for over 50 years now and still enjoy it. IMO if there is not parity between the competitors THAT'S when it becomes boring.

I just watched the V8 Supercars races on Speed. I'm sure the same case could be made for that series being built to a spec. also. Much of the racing was done nose to tail at a VERY high level of intensity. It was definitely not boring.

T.J.
T.J. SuperDork
7/2/11 3:49 p.m.

I don't question the skill of the drivers or the sheer speed and close quarters involved with NASCAR, but I really don't care about it at all. No interest in watching the races or following the soap opera like drama surrounding the sport. It is just not my thing. That being said, I would pay money to take 10 laps in the passenger seat with one of those guys.

NOHOME
NOHOME Reader
7/2/11 9:00 p.m.
MrJoshua wrote:
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.
To watch-Boring to watch!

Keep in mind that Quantum Physics and Astronomy are both really hard and demand a high level of skill. However, at the moment they seem to have something in common with NASAR in that they are not really pulling the TV audience!

wbjones
wbjones SuperDork
7/2/11 10:24 p.m.
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.

I'm totally convinced it's NOT boring ..... if you're in the car..... but watching it on television IS BORING AS HELL....

tonight was a perfect example

as to the skill level... as far as I'm concerned it's a given...the speeds, the closeness, the length of the races .... the car control shown is way over the top... just look at a couple of the saves tonight.... that said it's STILL BORING AS HELL on tv

novaderrik
novaderrik Dork
7/2/11 10:42 p.m.
wbjones wrote:
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.
I'm totally convinced it's NOT boring ..... if you're in the car..... but watching it on television IS BORING AS HELL.... tonight was a perfect example as to the skill level... as far as I'm concerned it's a given...the speeds, the closeness, the length of the races .... the car control shown is way over the top... just look at a couple of the saves tonight.... that said it's STILL BORING AS HELL on tv

the racing would be a lot better if they'd just ditch the restrictor plates and figure out how to control the speeds with gearing and aero limitations. this would double the power of the cars and allow them to mix it up and pass once in a while..

Will
Will HalfDork
7/2/11 11:28 p.m.
pres589 wrote: Aren't the chassis now all built to a single spec, with a spec tire, and what amounts to a Chevrolet V8 displacing between 355 and 358 cubic inches breathing through a carb? I don't know, seems boring...

Each mfr. still develops its own engine for the series.

Pat
Pat Reader
7/3/11 4:48 a.m.
pres589 wrote: displacing between 355 and 358 cubic inches breathing through a carb?

I hear this alot and I have yet to figure out why it makes a difference whether a racer is running a carb or efi? 800 hp is 800 hp. As a spectator and not an engine builder, what's the difference?

Moparman
Moparman HalfDork
7/3/11 7:25 a.m.

In reply to pres589:

I hate spec series. In the June Car & Driver, Mario Andretti bemoans the Spec Series that is Indy Car. I won't watch that either.

iceracer
iceracer SuperDork
7/3/11 10:24 a.m.

Hopefully, that MAY change next year.

iceracer
iceracer SuperDork
7/3/11 10:25 a.m.

Just noticed I am now Super. How many attaboys is that worth ?

wbjones
wbjones SuperDork
7/3/11 10:32 a.m.
novaderrik wrote:
wbjones wrote:
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.
I'm totally convinced it's NOT boring ..... if you're in the car..... but watching it on television IS BORING AS HELL.... tonight was a perfect example as to the skill level... as far as I'm concerned it's a given...the speeds, the closeness, the length of the races .... the car control shown is way over the top... just look at a couple of the saves tonight.... that said it's STILL BORING AS HELL on tv
the racing would be a lot better if they'd just ditch the restrictor plates and figure out how to control the speeds with gearing and aero limitations. this would double the power of the cars and allow them to mix it up and pass once in a while..

yeah I've said that for yrs .. giveum back their engines, take away most of their aero, mandate front spring rates ( to keep the front end up ) ... they'd have to start using their brakes and it would end up with ... at least a better chance at ... the best set up / strategy / driver winning with lots less chance of these last lap schamozals

Osterkraut
Osterkraut SuperDork
7/3/11 10:44 a.m.
NOHOME wrote: However, at the moment they seem to have something in common with NASAR in that they are not really pulling the TV audience!

Uhhh... NASCAR pulls in a HUGE audience.

car39
car39 Reader
7/3/11 10:48 a.m.

Fuel injection comes next year I think. They may end up issuing "spec" fuel injection systems. NASCAR has been trying to figure out some way to keep the electronics under control. That's why the ignition boxes are visible on the dash. Rumor was one of the drivers (24) had a usb connection and a thumb drive that was used as a traction control system. Never proven, discussed a great deal.

car39
car39 Reader
7/3/11 10:49 a.m.

See? http://www.thatsracin.com/2011/07/02/68170/fuel-injection-test-set-at-ky.html

Moparman
Moparman HalfDork
7/3/11 12:24 p.m.

In reply to Osterkraut:

Uh, audience is way down in the past few years. Automakers are crying abiuyt the cookie cutter spec car look. Changes are coming.

ncjay
ncjay Reader
7/4/11 8:23 a.m.

Automakers cry about anything and everything. That's one of the reasons Nascar went to the common template car to begin with. Give Chevy a new nose and Ford starts crying. Give Ford a new roof and Toyota starts crying. I remember the aero wars with the T-Bird and the aerocoupe Monte Carlos. Nascar had their hands full trying to keep the manufacturers happy and keeping the competition balanced. I'm not a big fan of the cookie cutter cars, but I understand why Nascar went in that direction. Many people dislike "spec" racing series, but which ones are the most popular and have the most entries? Yeah, it's the spec ones.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
7/4/11 9:31 a.m.
Graefin10 wrote: If each of the numerous NASCAR haters could sit in a passenger seat and take 10 laps of Talladega, Bristol, and Watkins Glen with a Kyle Bush or a Kevin Harbick driving, they could no longer say that it's boring.

Not really. Some of us haters drive. NASCAR IS boring to watch. I'd drive the damn car for sure.

FlightService
FlightService HalfDork
7/4/11 9:34 a.m.

I was a HUGE nascar fan for a long time and just fell away when they started messing with/ignoring the rules to favor a particular manufacturer/driver. Never got back into it after that.

so no I am not a hater, no I don't follow,

iceracer
iceracer SuperDork
7/4/11 9:36 a.m.

I hear there are changes coming in 2013 Cup cars as far as looks go. Just look at the Mustang in Nationwide series.

sergio
sergio New Reader
7/4/11 3:03 p.m.

I don't know what the answer is for the super speedways, but this love-bug racing is boring. If they drop the engine compression ratio that would reduce the HP and get rid of the plates. Drop it enough to limit the speed to whatever NASCAR thinks is safe. 200? 210? A big ass spoiler will slow them down too.

I liked the old days when the winner had a couple lap lead. All these "debris" cautions to bunch the field is BS.

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