2011 Schedule

[DougS]

Was listening to Sirius NASCAR 128 this morning (as always on my commute). The track president from Daytona was on to talk about the repaving and promoting how all Daytona 500 ticket holders from 2010 and those that buy a ticket for 2011 Daytona 500 will receive a piece of mounted asphalt from the track.

The guys them mentioned the 2011 schedule and Robin Braig dropped this little tid bit. "There is no need to worry about the two Daytona dates changing nor Homestead having to change it's date since Ford has aligned themselves with the track through 2015."

Wonder if that last part slipped since there's been so much speculation about Vegas possibly getting the ending date of the season or this was calculated to reassure those in the southeast.

[just a fan]

Atlanta lost a race. To me that is no big deal because they haven't had a sellout since they changed the configuration. I think we have enough cookie cutter tracks that offer the same racing as Atlanta. The date will go to Ketucky from what I understand.

[Chris]

I think with all the problems with the cost of security at NH,.. they will lose a date also...

California should (hopefully) lose a date also..  One of those should be the 2nd Vegas date.... 
Sure wish we could get a date at Iowa.  (how about that idea Skool..??)

[DougS]

IF Vegas (SMI) does get a second date it has to come from an SMI track and definitely NHMS (SMI) is a good candidate for that.

Hearing today that California (ISC) is going to loose it's spring race also, but that date will end up being a 2nd date at Kansas (ISC).

[20forLogano]

Loudon is safe with 2 for another year.  They are moving the chase race to the 2nd race.  2012 they may lose a race but only 2 new changes to venues next year.

[Chris]

In My opinion we should see LESS races at cookie cutter tracks (places like Chicago, Kansas, etc) not more
They should make an effort to keep "different" style tracks like Pocono, NH, Dover ... add Iowa, etc.
Take away one race each from Atlanta, Texas, and Charlotte.  just with those three tracks it's like the same race 6 times a year. (6 out of 36 is 16%)
add in Vegas, Chicago, and Kansas and you 25% of the whole season on 1 1/2 mile tracks.  Way too much of "same old; same old" for what should be a 'diverse' series.

In a perfect world we'd see Rockingham, and North Wilkesboro come back on the series...   Be nice to see another road course race (Something like Road America).. I think a road course should be in the chase.  If we are determining the "best" drive in the chase,.. it should include all disciplines

[DougS]

I've heard the Chicago is going to open the chase, but nothing official yet, just sources. It's going to be interesting to see if Vegas does get a second date and from where now?

[20forLogano]

Word is Bruton didnt like the race date they were going to give Vegas (2nd race) so it is on hold for another year.  I have also heard about the Chicago thing and moving the Loudon race back one week is dumb.  The weather is already hit or miss in Sept and they are just giving it another chance towards the worse. 

[FS_Amy]

What I've heard is NASCAR turned SMI down for the second Vegas race because they didn't like the track Bruton offered up in trade (Sonoma).

I had hoped for a better shuffle of dates and REALLY hoped for NASCAR to finally put the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend where it belongs.  I agree with Chris-NASCAR needs fewer cookie-cutter races, not more.  Catering to a demographic or market is a short term gain at best-far more fans watch on TV than in person even if the race is a sellout-and TV viewers don't care if the race is close to their home or not-they want to see good racing, period.  Good racing is what will keep the sport viable long term.

[DougS]

Ofcourse the "offical" news is this morning that the chase will kick off from Chicago starting in 2011.

First off: (listen for black helicopters) I do believe that it drove NASCAR nuts to have the chase start at an SMI track. So it's no surprise that now an ISC track opens the chase.

Second: Nascar listens...only when it benifits them. Jimmy Johnson is ruining the sport because no one can beat him (Crying sound effects). So they de-jimmify the chase by taking out Califonia. And oh yeah Jimmie's never won at Chicago. (of course that will change now) That will bring in attendance but ooppps Chicago's a cookie cutter. That's okay. So how exactly is NASCAR attendance going to be when the Bears have a home game the same weekend??

Third: Las Vegas.... What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and the France's don't need to be led into temptation. I'd be really torn between deciding whether to attend Vegas or Phoenix in the fall. Phoenix for uniqueness and camping or Vegas for everything the city has to offer after the race at some really cheap prices.

Amy: Sonoma for Vegas??? Didn't hear that one anywhere...was this an actual source or left field rumor.

[just a fan]

Saw a report this morning on Twitter (take it for what it is worth) that California is definately losing a race. That is the best news I have heard all day if it is true. That was by far the most boring race track on the circuit.

[Chris]

Saw a report this morning on Twitter (take it for what it is worth) that California is definately losing a race. That is the best news I have heard all day if it is true. That was by far the most boring race track on the circuit.

I believe this was reported this weekend on Speed or ESPN.. glad to see one less race at California,.. but not at the expense of adding another 1 1/2 mile cookie cutter

[FS_Amy]

I'm disappointed..NASCAR had the perfect opportunity to make some fixes to the schedule (like putting a better variety of tracks in the Chase, including a road course) and will not do so.  Labor Day race is still in the wrong town, the Chase is still stacked with intermediate tracks. 

[Chris]

I'm disappointed..NASCAR had the perfect opportunity to make some fixes to the schedule (like putting a better variety of tracks in the Chase, including a road course) and will not do so.  Labor Day race is still in the wrong town, the Chase is still stacked with intermediate tracks. 

I'll agree.. Labor day race isn't at "home".. but I'll also say at least it's back down in the S.E. where it belongs.  Atlanta is way better than most other options,.. so I can live with it.  Still be nice to see Darlington host the labor day event.