Rain again, again.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,674
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From: Myrtle Beach, SC
The Busch race last night was pathetic. Jr. led EVERY lap! 1st time I've seen that done. I hope the Cup race tonight is better.
We had some strong storms yesterday. Today it is gray and threatening. The paper now says chance ot T-storms for the next 5 days.
. As of yesterday's paper, there was ZERO chance of rain for the next 5 days. Do you guys have newspapers that do that too? They supposedly get their weather from Accu-Weather. Which obviuosly isn't very accurate.
We had some strong storms yesterday. Today it is gray and threatening. The paper now says chance ot T-storms for the next 5 days.
. As of yesterday's paper, there was ZERO chance of rain for the next 5 days. Do you guys have newspapers that do that too? They supposedly get their weather from Accu-Weather. Which obviuosly isn't very accurate.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,674
Likes: 10
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
Rob,
If you want to become a NASCAR fan I will advise you from my own personal experience as well as taking someone under my wing, that it takes 3 full racing seasons to really appreciate the nuances and personalities of the sport. On the surface it looks like 43 cars driving aimlessly in circles. That's why people generally diss it. But once you learn the strategy involved, and how things like 1 lb. of air pressure out of the right rear tire can drastically change the handling of the car, then you will enjoy the races much more. Then there are the personalities. It's a hoot "getting to know" who's who, their driving styles, the rivalries, who's strong at which tracks, etc. It takes a pretty big investment of time.
If you want to become a NASCAR fan I will advise you from my own personal experience as well as taking someone under my wing, that it takes 3 full racing seasons to really appreciate the nuances and personalities of the sport. On the surface it looks like 43 cars driving aimlessly in circles. That's why people generally diss it. But once you learn the strategy involved, and how things like 1 lb. of air pressure out of the right rear tire can drastically change the handling of the car, then you will enjoy the races much more. Then there are the personalities. It's a hoot "getting to know" who's who, their driving styles, the rivalries, who's strong at which tracks, etc. It takes a pretty big investment of time.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,674
Likes: 10
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: NOVA/SI NY
Ohio, I couldn't agree with you LESS. My first racing interest was NASCAR because it was easy to understand. I always thought open wheeled cars on road courses was boring - it's only when I started attending track days myself that I understood the nuances of what was going on. Now F1 is by far and away my favorite (last 7-8 years now - but I've been watching Stock Cars since I was a kid on Wide World of Sports). I still watch Winston Cup though and will be watching Jr and (thumbs down) Michael W -- talk about having a ride because of your name -- dominate tonight. However, I can't wait to wake up for the 7:30 broadcast tomorrow of F1 from Magny Cours. The only on track based motor sport that I don't enjoy is Drag Racing - I've autocrossed at Englishtown for the last 5 years and have never put wheel to the Drag strip - an S is just too slow for the 1/4 run IMHO. Well that and ----IRL - but that might be a personal thing because of the Tony George split having ruined Open wheel racing in the US. Hey, whatever happened to IRL being a series for 'merican drivers in 'merican cars?
BTW - I love Bobby Labonte as well - glad to see him rebound this year.
And, F1 is kind of like football (soccer) awesome to the rest of the world, but most of us here just don't dig it (well, I do actually).
Well I'm off - I've got two cars to finish Zainoing (is that a word) in the 87 degree and rising heat (just keeping on topic).
BTW - I love Bobby Labonte as well - glad to see him rebound this year.
And, F1 is kind of like football (soccer) awesome to the rest of the world, but most of us here just don't dig it (well, I do actually).
Well I'm off - I've got two cars to finish Zainoing (is that a word) in the 87 degree and rising heat (just keeping on topic).
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 33,155
Likes: 1,638
From: Randolph, NJ
Originally posted by OhioRacer
Rob,
If you want to become a NASCAR fan I will advise you from my own personal experience as well as taking someone under my wing, that it takes 3 full racing seasons to really appreciate the nuances and personalities of the sport. On the surface it looks like 43 cars driving aimlessly in circles. That's why people generally diss it. But once you learn the strategy involved, and how things like 1 lb. of air pressure out of the right rear tire can drastically change the handling of the car, then you will enjoy the races much more. Then there are the personalities. It's a hoot "getting to know" who's who, their driving styles, the rivalries, who's strong at which tracks, etc. It takes a pretty big investment of time.
Rob,
If you want to become a NASCAR fan I will advise you from my own personal experience as well as taking someone under my wing, that it takes 3 full racing seasons to really appreciate the nuances and personalities of the sport. On the surface it looks like 43 cars driving aimlessly in circles. That's why people generally diss it. But once you learn the strategy involved, and how things like 1 lb. of air pressure out of the right rear tire can drastically change the handling of the car, then you will enjoy the races much more. Then there are the personalities. It's a hoot "getting to know" who's who, their driving styles, the rivalries, who's strong at which tracks, etc. It takes a pretty big investment of time.
As a matter of fact, you are absolutely right. To those of us who are uniformed or have never followed NASCAR, it appears to be nothing more then a bunch of cars driving in a circle. Nothing as fine or skillful as Formula 1. I am sure that you are correct that the subtle factors such as car setup, personalities, tracks and etc. have a great effect on the outcome. I'm sure it's not just a bunch of "cowboys and hicks" driving in circles. Unfortuately, growing up in the Northeast I was not exposed to this formally southern sport. I think I'll watch with a different eye now.
Anyway, we'll talk about it at Fall Colors. See my post about 3 or 4 posts ago.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 946
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From: NOVA/SI NY
Ralper - as a died in the wool F1 fan (both on the tube and via simulator), I must stand up for the skill in Stock Car Racing - especially on the bull rings like Bristol. I've always said those guys are the greatest 'racers' in the world. I still believe that F1 guys are the greatest 'drivers' in the world though NASCAR and Rally guys tell me that I'm bonkers.
It's a shame, as Dave Despain said one night on Wind Tunnel, that the followers of one type of motorsport now tend to feel the need to put down another because they don't get it. There used to be a time (70's and earlier) when great drivers drove a little of everything b4 corporate sponsorship ruined that. Just think if Jeff Gordon now could run a race at Monaco (horrid track by the way - talk about no passing), or MS at the Daytona 500, and having all of 'em meet at Indy (500 not brickyard 500
), and the 24 hr of Daytona.
At least no one seems to bag on the Sportbike guys - Moto GP rules (why am I so doggoned Eurocentric??? My roots are in Africa!)
Like i said - off to finish applying Zaino to the cars - but damn, these Planet of the Apes movies on AMC are keeping me tied to the tube - I need a TV in the garage.
There's also the Grand-Am Cup race, Tour de France Prologue, Metrostars and Mets Baseball AGGGHHHh!
It's a shame, as Dave Despain said one night on Wind Tunnel, that the followers of one type of motorsport now tend to feel the need to put down another because they don't get it. There used to be a time (70's and earlier) when great drivers drove a little of everything b4 corporate sponsorship ruined that. Just think if Jeff Gordon now could run a race at Monaco (horrid track by the way - talk about no passing), or MS at the Daytona 500, and having all of 'em meet at Indy (500 not brickyard 500
), and the 24 hr of Daytona.At least no one seems to bag on the Sportbike guys - Moto GP rules (why am I so doggoned Eurocentric???
My roots are in Africa!)Like i said - off to finish applying Zaino to the cars - but damn, these Planet of the Apes movies on AMC are keeping me tied to the tube - I need a TV in the garage.
There's also the Grand-Am Cup race, Tour de France Prologue, Metrostars and Mets Baseball AGGGHHHh!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,674
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From: Myrtle Beach, SC
LOL. vroom, all good points. I want F1 to stay around because that's where our beloved car was born. I just can't stand watching everyone follow the leader. Anyway, the race that you dream of kinda happens with IROC. You'll have open wheel guys, NASCAR guys, etc. Haven't seen an F1 guy yet though. They probably look down there nose at it. Would be cool to see Montoya give it a shot. Did you see him drive the 24 car a couple weeks ago? Funny, he looked like he was driving a milk truck. 
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 946
Likes: 1
From: NOVA/SI NY
Yeah Ohio - back when Dale was still alive - on the inaugural US GP at Indy, he apparently asked Schumacher if he'd be interested in IROC - MS kinda shrugged it off. To be honest, IROC isn't really that fair to the open wheel guys, unfamiliar tracks (Talladega, Daytona) and cars. Back in the 70's they used to drive Porsche RS' - Kewl.
I'd love to see IROC at say Laguna Seca and Road America in a Champ car, a Super Speedway and Bullring (like Bristol) in a stock car, and maybe one more road course in revolving sports Cars - M3's, 911's, Vettes, etc all revolving over the years. Course they'd never do it - 'specially the F1 guys. I love MS, but he does kind of act like other forms of racing don't exist.
Jeff was pretty doggone good in the Williams and it was kind of fun watching Juan Pablo in the Stock Car - now let's add a Rally car to the bunch next year....and make Juan drive the oval!
Keeping on topic Temp is 90 degrees and HUMID, and I just came in to watch some Metrostars Soccer along with Grand Am cup while I eat lunch before I slap another coat of Zaino 5 on the M and # 2 on the S.
I'd love to see IROC at say Laguna Seca and Road America in a Champ car, a Super Speedway and Bullring (like Bristol) in a stock car, and maybe one more road course in revolving sports Cars - M3's, 911's, Vettes, etc all revolving over the years. Course they'd never do it - 'specially the F1 guys. I love MS, but he does kind of act like other forms of racing don't exist.
Jeff was pretty doggone good in the Williams and it was kind of fun watching Juan Pablo in the Stock Car - now let's add a Rally car to the bunch next year....and make Juan drive the oval!
Keeping on topic
Temp is 90 degrees and HUMID, and I just came in to watch some Metrostars Soccer along with Grand Am cup while I eat lunch before I slap another coat of Zaino 5 on the M and # 2 on the S.