NASCAR vs NFL???
 

Why is NASCAR putting their races up against the NFL?
It works great for filler on Sundays when the NFL is in the offseason, but now that the NFL is in full swing, why not race on Saturdays? I don't watch NASCAR when the NFL is on. I have to record it and watch it later.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

Doesn't work for the tracks scheduling wise with Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races. Not to mention practice and qualifying.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;365793]Doesn't work for the tracks scheduling wise with Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races. Not to mention practice and qualifying.[/QUOTE]

That's true...but why not flip flop Busch and Craftsman truck? Busch doesn't have to go first. I actually like that idea more anyway, cause all these NEXTEL Cup drivers drive in Busch and get more practice on the track. Move Busch to after NEXTEL and that declines any advantage. Just a thought.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;365800]That's true...but why not flip flop Busch and Craftsman truck? Busch doesn't have to go first. I actually like that idea more anyway, cause all these NEXTEL Cup drivers drive in Busch and get more practice on the track. Move Busch to after NEXTEL and that declines any advantage. Just a thought.[/QUOTE]

So race Busch on Sundays?

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;365805]So race Busch on Sundays?[/QUOTE]

Yeah...why not?
I just think NASCAR is dropping the ball fighting against the NFL for ratings. They won't win that fight. I am trying to find a article about how the ratings for NASCAR dropped drastically since the season started...I can't seem to find it though...when I do, I will post it here.
I just think NASCAR will get more ratings if they don't have to fight with the greatest sport this world has ever seen.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;365807]Yeah...why not?
I just think NASCAR is dropping the ball fighting against the NFL for ratings. They won't win that fight. I am trying to find a article about how the ratings for NASCAR dropped drastically since the season started...I can't seem to find it though...when I do, I will post it here.
I just think NASCAR will get more ratings if they don't have to fight with the greatest sport this world has ever seen.[/QUOTE]

Well if they're getting beat with Cup races, they'd get creamed with Busch races. Anyhow, swapping the order has been discussed but met with significant reluctance

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;365830]Well if they're getting beat with Cup races, they'd get creamed with Busch races. Anyhow, swapping the order has been discussed but met with significant reluctance[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's true, Busch wouldn't get ANY ratings would they.
I just want to watch the races LIVE. I guess there aren't any good suggestions then huh?
This is the technical "playoffs" of NASCAR and they are getting worse ratings than when it wasn't the "playoffs".

What do you think?

ps- how come we are always just about the only people to talk NASCAR here?

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;365915]Yeah that's true, Busch wouldn't get ANY ratings would they.
I just want to watch the races LIVE. I guess there aren't any good suggestions then huh?
This is the technical "playoffs" of NASCAR and they are getting worse ratings than when it wasn't the "playoffs".

What do you think?

ps- how come we are always just about the only people to talk NASCAR here?[/QUOTE]

A lot of NASCAR fans are also football fans, but come the Fall it's clear that most are more so football fans than NASCAR fans.

If I knew the right answer I'd be getting a huge raise and promotion at work. It's my job (well part of my job) to deliver better ratings for NASCAR.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

I'm seriously putting effort into trying to follow Nascar. The only problem is I'm not educated at ALL.

I freaking grew up in Frederick, MD. For those of you not familiar, we're known in Maryland as "Fredneck". There are Nascar fans everywhere you look. I just have never learned what makes Nascar so interesting. I've honestly tried watching, I've picked a driver (Stewart) and have failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport.

Maybe football has drained my emotion, who knows.

I think ESPN should do more to encourage learning the ins and outs of racing. I know that there is more than meets the eye, I just have yet to be fed the specifics. I'm never going to pay attention to something I don't care about, and I'm never going to care about something I don't know about. To be honest, the only reason I've ever been sparked with an iota of interest is because of a local radio show (Elliot in the morning here in D.C.) that will interview drivers, and give subjective points of view on what happens.

If I'm telling ESPN what to do to encourage viewers my age to watch, I'd probably focus my efforts on focusing viewers on the drama that goes on. Maybe you're already doing that, but in general I'm more inclined to watch something that focuses on hyping an event so it's a "must watch". I don't know what I'm missing, but I really don't ever feel compelled to watch cars making left turns.


I'm curious as to how anyone actually sits down and watches an entire race. I have textbook ADHD, and find it hard to sit down for a long period of time. How does one sit down and watch what's going on? Maybe all I need is someone that is interested to guide me through a race. Seriously, I kind of want to follow Nascar, I just have yet to be turned on by it.

At any rate, from what I hear, it's a great sport. I just have yet to understand why. It's growing, so maybe as it grows, I'll catch on. So far, it's boring as hell, and I can't pay attention. Maybe it's just a personal problem.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=RobH4413;365932]I'm seriously putting effort into trying to follow Nascar. The only problem is I'm not educated at ALL.

I freaking grew up in Frederick, MD. For those of you not familiar, we're known in Maryland as "Fredneck". There are Nascar fans everywhere you look. I just have never learned what makes Nascar so interesting. I've honestly tried watching, I've picked a driver (Stewart) and have failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport.

Maybe football has drained my emotion, who knows.

I think ESPN should do more to encourage learning the ins and outs of racing. I know that there is more than meets the eye, I just have yet to be fed the specifics. I'm never going to pay attention to something I don't care about, and I'm never going to care about something I don't know about. To be honest, the only reason I've ever been sparked with an iota of interest is because of a local radio show (Elliot in the morning here in D.C.) that will interview drivers, and give subjective points of view on what happens.

If I'm telling ESPN what to do to encourage viewers my age to watch, I'd probably focus my efforts on focusing viewers on the drama that goes on. Maybe you're already doing that, but in general I'm more inclined to watch something that focuses on hyping an event so it's a "must watch". I don't know what I'm missing, but I really don't ever feel compelled to watch cars making left turns.


I'm curious as to how anyone actually sits down and watches an entire race. I have textbook ADHD, and find it hard to sit down for a long period of time. How does one sit down and watch what's going on? Maybe all I need is someone that is interested to guide me through a race. Seriously, I kind of want to follow Nascar, I just have yet to be turned on by it.

At any rate, from what I hear, it's a great sport. I just have yet to understand why. It's growing, so maybe as it grows, I'll catch on. So far, it's boring as hell, and I can't pay attention. Maybe it's just a personal problem.[/QUOTE]

I've got a pretty long response for this, but I really can't discuss certain things unfortunately.

I'd just say that I hear what you're saying and it's definitely something we work on. But the problems are not necessarily what one might think

It's a long process, and change won't happen overnight

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

Ahhh we ain't building monkeys here guys.

Get 2 TVs and work the Mute between the two.
Niether NFL or NASCAR needs to have to sound up to follow the action.
I do it all the time and it works fine.

Go Hamlin!

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No need for 2 TVs....one TV, picture in picture, and roll baby roll. Which reminds me, that I need to split the cable in the basement, so I can do that.

I always flip between football and the race...mainly because I hate commercials. But, I do make sure I look at the race from time to time. Sunday is race day. They continue to fill race tracks to capacity and do OK on TV, so until they start to completely falter, I'd imagine they will continue as they do now. Besides, everyone knows that they important laps are the last 5-10, and they show all the great crashes on SportsCenter :)

jsarno - of course you and smoot are the only ones talking NASCAR at 1:30am east coast time...the rest of us are sleeping ;)

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=RobH4413;365932]I'm curious as to how anyone actually sits down and watches an entire race. I have textbook ADHD, and find it hard to sit down for a long period of time. How does one sit down and watch what's going on? Maybe all I need is someone that is interested to guide me through a race. Seriously, I kind of want to follow Nascar, I just have yet to be turned on by it.[/QUOTE]

If you are going to sit for an entire race, be sure to have plenty of distractions around you. For Daytona, a bunch of friends and I get together and shoot the shit because we all know that it's one long race. Plenty of food and beer, and we hang out and the race becomes secondary, but it's still part of why we get together. It's funny because usually one of us has an eye on the TV, for the wrecks of course. Then once the last 20 laps come around, we all sit and watch intensely.

Unless you are there at the track, I'd imagine most TV viewers use the race as background while they're doing something else, or they are that die hard and watch each lap like it's the last.

Smoot, are there Nielsen numbers out there on how long a typical person keeps the race on for? I only ask you because of your current employment situation...I figure those numbers are pretty important to you in figuring out programming.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=Sammy Baugh Fan;365958]Ahhh we ain't building monkeys here guys.

Get 2 TVs and work the Mute between the two.
Niether NFL or NASCAR needs to have to sound up to follow the action.
I do it all the time and it works fine.

Go Hamlin![/QUOTE]

This is how I survived in College. On TV always was Playstation2 and the other was whatever show that everyone else wanted to watch.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;365982]If you are going to sit for an entire race, be sure to have plenty of distractions around you. For Daytona, a bunch of friends and I get together and shoot the shit because we all know that it's one long race. Plenty of food and beer, and we hang out and the race becomes secondary, but it's still part of why we get together. It's funny because usually one of us has an eye on the TV, for the wrecks of course. Then once the last 20 laps come around, we all sit and watch intensely.

Unless you are there at the track, I'd imagine most TV viewers use the race as background while they're doing something else, or they are that die hard and watch each lap like it's the last.

Smoot, are there Nielsen numbers out there on how long a typical person keeps the race on for? I only ask you because of your current employment situation...I figure those numbers are pretty important to you in figuring out programming.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I don't know if those numbers are necessarily public knowledge, but I do get numbers breaking down time spent viewing, what times of the races are peaks, demographic breakdowns, etc. And yes it's vital info

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

College Football would dominate on Saturdays compared to Nascar.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

Not necessarily Quake. I'd imagine that during the fall Saturday night races, that the numbers are closer than you think. The average NASCAR fan could give 2 shits about what USC is doing...plus when ABC runs a Saturday night race, it takes away a college game that would normally be in that slot.

College football is a little more geographically divided than the NFL is. You'll find more casual NFL fans than you would casual college football fans. And those casual college football fans are looking at 1 team, not at a whole conference.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;365997]Not necessarily Quake. I'd imagine that during the fall Saturday night races, that the numbers are closer than you think. The average NASCAR fan could give 2 shits about what USC is doing...plus when ABC runs a Saturday night race, it takes away a college game that would normally be in that slot.

College football is a little more geographically divided than the NFL is. You'll find more casual NFL fans than you would casual college football fans. And those casual college football fans are looking at 1 team, not at a whole conference.[/quote]


While that is true yes, you gotta believe that with all the games they show on Saturday and the fact that there are more College football fans then Nascar fans, they would still dominate.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

There's a big overlap between NASCAR fans and college football fans. Ideally one leads into the other scheduling wise

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

To answer your original question “Why is NASCAR putting their races up against the NFL?” NASCAR has until recent years always run on Sundays. Not sure why, but it’s just been done that way as long as I can remember. I don’t think it was ever a conscious effort on NASCAR’s part to compete directly with the NFL, or any other sport for that matter. In fact, logic would lead me to believe NASCAR would prefer not to compete against any other popular type programming or sporting event as it would erode their TV ratings. With the exception of the Saturday night Bristol, TN race, until a few years ago hardly any races were run on Saturdays. If I recall correctly, someone discovered that many race fans actually preferred, or at least enjoyed, night time races. Racing under the lights accentuated the fiery crashes, the colorful cars, etc., etc. Plus it would bring NASCAR into the “prime time” slot and further NASCAR’s desire to become more popular. However, there were many other reasons to avoid Saturday evening race times. For instance: college football games and the outcry from local track promoters stating that when the big boys (Nextel Cup) ran on Saturday nights, it ate into their local fan draw and thus depleted revenue dollars, etc.

It is well documented on an ESPN sponsored website called “Jayski’s Silly Season Site” [url=http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm]Jayski's® Silly Season Site - Nextel Cup News Page[/url] (SmootSmack I believe has mentioned this site before and it is one I’ve read for years) that TV ratings for NASCAR Nextel Cup have slumped. I have said before on the Warpath that I believe there is one major reason NASCAR ratings have slumped and I don’t believe it has anything to do with the NFL and it’s pretty simple: NASCAR has lost it’s identity and has forgotten it’s heritage. In NASCAR’s quest to become more popular and mainstream, it has abandoned some of it’s historic tracks (Rockingham, North Wilksboro, and Darlington for 1 race anyway) for larger market venues such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, etc. This has ripped much of the “personality” from the series and transformed it into a boring parade around prototypical 1-1/2 mile tracks. In addition, with the inception of big corporate dollars for sponsorship, NASCAR has lost its attitude. Drivers, owners, crewmen are no longer allowed to express their emotions in fear of offending someone and creating a backlash to their respective sponsor. It’s just a shame and even though I still watch almost every race, I fast-forward through most of it as it has become more of a chase, and less of an actual race with guys banging into each others doors, fenders, heads, etc.

In response to RobH4413’s comments, I once lived in Annapolis, MD and I am quite familiar with “Fredneck” Maryland! Beautiful rolling countryside among other things. But per your comment about ESPN doing more to educate the new, or casual, race fan, I believe not only has ESPN done a great job at doing just that, the other networks have done an excellent job as well. Have you not seen the “cut-away” car or engine? I think that you’ve “failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport” due to some of the reasons I stated above. Those were some of the things that drew me to NASCAR very many years ago and it is the lack of “personality” that’s got me switching the channel to the Lions vs. Cardinals game (ugh!). Yet another reason to love the DVR: Just record the NASCAR race, regardless of whether its on Saturday or Sunday, you can watch it whenever you wish. I typically watch the race after the ‘Skins game anyway and I can jet past all the commercials. What’s not to like?

Finally, jsarno and SmootSmack, I will ALWAYS be glad to join you in discussions about NASCAR. Even though I’ve stated a waning interest, I’ll always keep the pulse on my second favorite sport…Keep It Coming Guys. (Sorry for the long post!)

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[quote=Dlyne8r;366046]

In response to RobH4413’s comments, I once lived in Annapolis, MD and I am quite familiar with “Fredneck” Maryland! Beautiful rolling countryside among other things. But per your comment about ESPN doing more to educate the new, or casual, race fan, I believe not only has ESPN done a great job at doing just that, the other networks have done an excellent job as well. Have you not seen the “cut-away” car or engine? I think that you’ve “failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport” due to some of the reasons I stated above. Those were some of the things that drew me to NASCAR very many years ago and it is the lack of “personality” that’s got me switching the channel to the Lions vs. Cardinals game (ugh!). Yet another reason to love the DVR: Just record the NASCAR race, regardless of whether its on Saturday or Sunday, you can watch it whenever you wish. I typically watch the race after the ‘Skins game anyway and I can jet past all the commercials. What’s not to like?
[/quote]
Frederick is a very beautiful country side. I actually was raised way up in Braddock mountain out in the sticks. We've even been frequented by a black bear or two..... However, it's definitely growing, and we've even got a half decent night scene now. Down town has virtually transformed, and the traffic is a nightmare. It's just simply following suit a la Gaithersburg :(

Did you know back in the day John Denver's "Country Roads", was actually written about Clopper road here in Gaithersburg? ([URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Home%2C_Country_Roads"]Take Me Home, Country Roads - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/URL])

Anyone familiar with Clopper road, certainly won't understand the inspiration by todays standards.

At any rate... upon talking to a few people regarding Nascar I've realized it's just that I'm not interested, so disregard my rant. I've certainly tried to be receptive, but I've never sparked interest. Oh well.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=RobH4413;366053]Frederick is a very beautiful country side. I actually was raised way up in Braddock mountain out in the sticks. We've even been frequented by a black bear or two..... However, it's definitely growing, and we've even got a half decent night scene now. Down town has virtually transformed, and the traffic is a nightmare. It's just simply following suit a la Gaithersburg :(

Did you know back in the day John Denver's "Country Roads", was actually written about Clopper road here in Gaithersburg? ([URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Home%2C_Country_Roads"]Take Me Home, Country Roads - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/URL])

Anyone familiar with Clopper road, certainly won't understand the inspiration by todays standards.

At any rate... upon talking to a few people regarding Nascar I've realized it's just that I'm not interested, so disregard my rant. I've certainly tried to be receptive, but I've never sparked interest. Oh well.[/QUOTE]

No worries, I didn't consider your post a rant, just your feelings about the sport. It's unfortunate that NASCAR has not done more to make their type of racing more exciting. If they were unable to ignite your interest, surely they failed many others as well (not to mention we long time followers that are becomming bored as well).

Off topic again, but yes, I used to work in Gaithersburg and it was a freakin' traffic nightmare! I'm glad to hear Frederick has gained a "night scene," but sad to hear that it is trying to follow suit with G'burg. Clopper Road? Jeeze, yes I remember that road as well. Why in the hell would anybody want to write a song about it escapes me! :silly:

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;365997]Not necessarily Quake. I'd imagine that during the fall Saturday night races, that the numbers are closer than you think. The average NASCAR fan could give 2 shits about what USC is doing...plus when ABC runs a Saturday night race, it takes away a college game that would normally be in that slot.

[B]College football is a little more geographically divided than the NFL is. You'll find more casual NFL fans than you would casual college football fans.[/B] And those casual college football fans are looking at 1 team, not at a whole conference.[/QUOTE]

That definitely holds true in the south! OMG, people here in the ATL worship college football and it was true further north in Nashville, TN (or at least until the Titans cranked up). The NFL is way less important than college ball here and it seems as if everything revolves around NCAA games.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[quote=Dlyne8r;366056]

Off topic again, but yes, I used to work in Gaithersburg and it was a freakin' traffic nightmare! I'm glad to hear Frederick has gained a "night scene," but sad to hear that it is trying to follow suit with G'burg. Clopper Road? Jeeze, yes I remember that road as well. Why in the hell would anybody want to write a song about it escapes me! :silly:[/quote]
Ahhh yes... well Clopper road was once beautiful country side as well. The irony is depressing.

On one more off topic (is the open country really off topic in a Nascar thread? :rolleyes:) idea... I recently drove 5 hours deep into Fayetville, WV to the New River Gorge. It's nothing but rolling hills everywhere. It just seems like endless country as far as you can see... and really puts into perspective how much open country still exists, which I didn't realize living in such an urban area.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=RobH4413;366060]Ahhh yes... well Clopper road was once beautiful country side as well. The irony is depressing.

On one more off topic (is the open country really off topic in a Nascar thread? :rolleyes:) idea... I recently drove 5 hours deep into Fayetville, WV to the New River Gorge. It's nothing but rolling hills everywhere. It just seems like endless country as far as you can see... and really puts into perspective how much open country still exists, which I didn't realize living in such an urban area.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, and I remember you could drive north on Georgia Ave. as far as you could and still see some beautiful scenery. Oh well, just like here in Atlanta, not much "countryside" left. Hopefully your drive into WV didn't leed to you to a "Mountain Mama!" You can thank John Denver for that visual!!

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

Frederick still isn't near as bad as Gaithersburg, but it's getting there. Having moved from Montgomery Village to Frederick a year ago, I can honestly say it's still easier to get to the highway in the 'Neck than it is in MoCo.

And the drive up Route 97 (Georgia Avenue) has lost some of it's charm. It still has some nice scenery, but some of it has been taken up by subdivisions of McMansions.

Rob - my wife went to Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV (about an hour south of Oakland, MD), and once you get past Hagerstown on I-70/I-68, it gets better and better. Driving down US-219, you can see the fresh mountain water flowing out of the hillside from the car. It's a really nice drive, especially this time of year when the leaves are changing.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;365917]A lot of NASCAR fans are also football fans, but come the Fall it's clear that most are more so football fans than NASCAR fans.

If I knew the right answer I'd be getting a huge raise and promotion at work. It's my job (well part of my job) to deliver better ratings for NASCAR.[/QUOTE]

Well, what have you done to be more successful, or even less successful?

You're doing something right, because NASCAR is my #2 favorite sport right now.

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Well, a big thing is treating NASCAR like a 7 day a week sport. Which is why there is a daily studio show. Also such things as the aforementioned "cut away car" and other features to educate fans, not to mention the Icons you see during races designed to drive (no pun intended) people to ESPN.com to learn more about various aspects of NASCAR. There is a big effort to expand the reach beyond just television, and into radio, magazine, internet, etc.

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[QUOTE=RobH4413;365932]I'm seriously putting effort into trying to follow Nascar. The only problem is I'm not educated at ALL.

I freaking grew up in Frederick, MD. For those of you not familiar, we're known in Maryland as "Fredneck". There are Nascar fans everywhere you look. I just have never learned what makes Nascar so interesting. I've honestly tried watching, I've picked a driver (Stewart) and have failed to gain any sense of passion for the sport. [/quote]

You just picked the wrong driver! :D

[quote]I'm curious as to how anyone actually sits down and watches an entire race. I have textbook ADHD, and find it hard to sit down for a long period of time. How does one sit down and watch what's going on? Maybe all I need is someone that is interested to guide me through a race. Seriously, I kind of want to follow Nascar, I just have yet to be turned on by it.[/quote]

I do other things while watching, like play on the internet, or play with my Nintendo DS or something like that. There is absolutely no need to focus 100% on the race. If you plan to do it 100%, then 3 or 4 hours of next to boredom occur. It's like watching Soccer. I do pay more attention than a lot of people cause I watch the small aspects of the sport, each pass is something that is calculated. A lot of people see just a pass (hell we do it every day on our way to work, what's the big deal right?) but in fact, it takes a lot to pass people in NASCAR. I used to think like you until I actually dove in with both feet and tried to put myself in their shoes. The fastest I have ever been in a car was around 160. You have no idea how fast that is until you go that fast. I regularly drive around 100-120 around these deserted highways out here, and you are MOVING...NASCAR travels at close to 200 all the time. They take corners at speeds we only dream about. They "get loose" at 190 MPH, and if we "got loose" at 75 MPH our hearts would leap out of our chests. Focus on that kind of stuff.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=Dlyne8r;366059]That definitely holds true in the south! OMG, people here in the ATL worship college football and it was true further north in Nashville, TN (or at least until the Titans cranked up). The NFL is way less important than college ball here and it seems as if everything revolves around NCAA games.[/QUOTE]

To jump into this mini discussion that quake started...I am a Notre Dame fan (yeah, sucks this year), and I'll watch the games, but I won't watch Cal vs UCLA this weekend. I will only watch teams that don't matter to me if they have a direct relation to Notre Dame, which is basically very few. I did watch a couple games this year outside of the norm (LSU v Florida for instance) but that was because nothing else was on.
College football is in the hearts of young people that went or go to their colleges. The older fans will only follow their team, and if their team is not televised, then they will watch something else. There are what 120 NCAA Div. 1 teams? And there aer just as many NCAA Div 2 teams, and NAIA teams. There are 32 NFL teams. Every game is important, and there is always someone playing someone in your division to make it even more important. You can easily find a Redskins fan that is an NFL fan and will watch the Packers, or the Seahawks. Not to mention fantasy sports has opened the door to watch games you wouldn't normally watch.

I'd watch NASCAR any day of the week over any college football team.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;366112]You just picked the wrong driver! :D



I do other things while watching, like play on the internet, or play with my Nintendo DS or something like that. There is absolutely no need to focus 100% on the race. If you plan to do it 100%, then 3 or 4 hours of next to boredom occur. It's like watching Soccer. I do pay more attention than a lot of people cause I watch the small aspects of the sport, each pass is something that is calculated. A lot of people see just a pass (hell we do it every day on our way to work, what's the big deal right?) but in fact, [B]it takes a lot to pass people in NASCAR[/B]. I used to think like you until I actually dove in with both feet and tried to put myself in their shoes. The fastest I have ever been in a car was around 160. You have no idea how fast that is until you go that fast. I regularly drive around 100-120 around these deserted highways out here, and you are MOVING...NASCAR travels at close to 200 all the time. They take corners at speeds we only dream about. They "get loose" at 190 MPH, and if we "got loose" at 75 MPH our hearts would leap out of our chests. Focus on that kind of stuff.[/QUOTE]

And it also takes some brass ones to drive those cars as fast as they do in what has now become a common occurance: FOUR WIDE! Yikes! If you want the thrill of a lifetime (please hold all alternative "thrills of a lifetime" suggestions for another thread :) , try enrolling in one of the many NASCAR driving events like "Be Petty." I had the opportunity to drive one of their cars here a couple of years ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway and I have yet to calm down. It's basically a watered down Cup car (slightly shorter wheel base and ONLY 600 hp!), but man that was bar none the most exhilarating ride I've ever been on. I did 6 or 7 (don't remember, I was hyperventilating) hot laps alone behind the wheel of this monster. I followed a "professional" driver around the track and was not allowed to pass him. I didn't matter, I simply did not have the courage to even try coming out of turn two at AMS as I could have reached out and touched the freakin' wall. Dependant of the pace I was driving, the "pro" would either wave to slow me down (never happened) or the flag man at the start/finish line would wave for me to pick it up (yes, it happened :( ). It was awesome. I averaged only around 140 mph a lap, but I was later told that I was clipping down the back straight at about 160. How cool was that? Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do this, try it, you'll have a whole new perspective of what these guys do every Sunday.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;366116]To jump into this mini discussion that quake started...I am a Notre Dame fan (yeah, sucks this year), and I'll watch the games, but I won't watch Cal vs UCLA this weekend. I will only watch teams that don't matter to me if they have a direct relation to Notre Dame, which is basically very few. I did watch a couple games this year outside of the norm (LSU v Florida for instance) but that was because nothing else was on.
[B]College football is in the hearts of young people that went or go to their colleges. The older fans will only follow their team, and if their team is not televised, then they will watch something else.[/B] There are what 120 NCAA Div. 1 teams? And there aer just as many NCAA Div 2 teams, and NAIA teams. There are 32 NFL teams. Every game is important, and there is always someone playing someone in your division to make it even more important. You can easily find a Redskins fan that is an NFL fan and will watch the Packers, or the Seahawks. Not to mention fantasy sports has opened the door to watch games you wouldn't normally watch.

I'd watch NASCAR any day of the week over any college football team.[/QUOTE]

That absolutely is not the case here in the south. I am unbelievably exhausted over the multitude of parties we've attended on Saturdays here in Atlanta watching college football. I'm in my late 40's and many of the people we've hung out with watching college ball are similar in age. It's not just the young "flat-bellies." While many have their favorites (mine is the Univ. of Tenn.), they all gather even after their team has played to watch whoever else is playing and it's not just because there's nothing else to do. Folks in the south just worship college football. It never ceases to amaze me how much these people know about not just their favorite college team, they are also walking dictionarys for practically every other team no matter what conference they reside in. it's a phenomenon I guess.

Re: NASCAR vs NFL???
 

[QUOTE=Dlyne8r;366123]And it also takes some brass ones to drive those cars as fast as they do in what has now become a common occurance: FOUR WIDE! Yikes! If you want the thrill of a lifetime (please hold all alternative "thrills of a lifetime" suggestions for another thread :) , try enrolling in one of the many NASCAR driving events like "Be Petty." I had the opportunity to drive one of their cars here a couple of years ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway and I have yet to calm down. It's basically a watered down Cup car (slightly shorter wheel base and ONLY 600 hp!), but man that was bar none the most exhilarating ride I've ever been on. I did 6 or 7 (don't remember, I was hyperventilating) hot laps alone behind the wheel of this monster. I followed a "professional" driver around the track and was not allowed to pass him. I didn't matter, I simply did not have the courage to even try coming out of turn two at AMS as I could have reached out and touched the freakin' wall. Dependant of the pace I was driving, the "pro" would either wave to slow me down (never happened) or the flag man at the start/finish line would wave for me to pick it up (yes, it happened :( ). It was awesome. I averaged only around 140 mph a lap, but I was later told that I was clipping down the back straight at about 160. How cool was that? Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do this, try it, you'll have a whole new perspective of what these guys do every Sunday.[/QUOTE]

I would LOVE to try that. I just don't have the typical fear that others have while driving a car. My wife tells me all the time I missed my calling as a NASCAR driver.
I wonder how I would respond to that? You never really know how you'll do until you're there. Considering I have driven 160mph in a real car with no jitters, I think I would do well with a NASCAR.