State of NASCAR: Are you happy or are you disillusioned?

[flamehothead]

I don't think the problem at Roush racing has anything to do with Ford. I think that Jack himself is causing the problem's.

[Chris]

well I don't know if I would say that....
Jack is they ONLY thing even keeping Ford on the map as far as racing...

He's always been involved with his team,.. it's members and drivers.  I don't know if I really see a problem there or not.  I'll agree something is a little off kilter somewhere,.. but all that team works together, and shares info, shares tech, etc etc... so I don't think it's an owner or team problem.

When push comes to shove,.. I'm not so sure it may NOT be a disinterest by Ford Mo Co.  They have been losing money hand over fist to foreign cars sales,... looking for file bankruptcy, cut out pension plans to it's employees, just under the gun in every way they can be.
I'm not so sure they really "care" about racing in any way right now.  I'm sure that shows up on the track,.. and that leaves teams pretty much on their own.  Smaller teams will show the loss of support before large teams like Roush.  To me thats what it kinda looks like has happened.  Wood Brothers fell first,.. Then RYR,.. then Roush has started to flounder.  Just looks like to me they are kinda on their own with no factory support...

[AfterShock]

I think so too Chris.

I'm thinking profits come before pay-out. Garbage in --- Garbage out.
Nada por Nada.

At least two of the big three American automakers is feeling a pinch. As I understand it, new car sales are down and it's a buyer's market. I should probably watch more car commercials. Maybe read more adds.

But your reasoning is something to consider, Chris.

Imagine Jack finding those R&D doors in Michigan locked and the lights turned off. .....
over and out.
to an extended lunch, dinner/supper breakfast.

Back to run whatcha brung.
Limited factory support, or none at all.

I see a business opportunity in lease engines.
And either fans foot the additional costs to make up for the loss, or they get a discount --- to promote business.

Maybe NA$CAR will become exactly like always campaigning politicians...... only different.

BTW;

I heard that the C.O.T. will have a back seat to accommodate the direction racing might be taken'.
Always look behind when planning ahead.

If y'all got somebody ridin'' in the back seat, ask 'em if they'd like to stop for a spell and have a cold soda. But stay away from the Colas.

Imagine a school bus with only one rider (fan), and they're falling (or jumping) out of the ememgency exit in the back of the bus.

But I digress.

This could be interesting. Even change the complexion of racing.
Figuring Toyota into the mix well and serve hot, this could be the season for the underdawg.

I can see the Brian buying the foundries where the blocks and heads are cast.
Soon followed by the OFFICAL Engine of NA$CAR.

The Brian could be perfict for the boring room --- a safe(er) distance from any cutting edges. Make only dull objects available to him for awhile.

[Chris]

At least two of the big three American automakers is feeling a pinch. As I understand it, new car sales are down and it's a buyer's market

I don't know about all car makers... But I did a little car shopping a year ago...
I was looking at those PT Cruisers.  I like the look, in case no one ever noticed, the body style is designed off of a 1940 Ford Sedan.... and I'm an old car buff,.. so it appealed to me.

Anyway,... A YEAR ago when I was shopping for a NEW PT Cruiser, they were about $20,000.  I saw them advertised over the last couple weeks (all the same options, everything I was looking at) for less than $10,000.
SO in one year the price has fallen $10,000.  This is on a brand new 2007 model.

[Tyyrus]

Well thats what I said Chris only 9 Full Time Ford Teams in Cup..an Roush had 5..Right ! And further....very  recently everyone was astounded that Roush had all Five cars in the Chase..last Year only two ! Id call that
a rather serious drop in competitiveness..Man ! As Far as Ford..Hell all 3 North American Automakers are
feelin the pinch..until they retool ..again..an begin making afordable quality vehicles ! But that's another story , and they are tryin ! Shockey might have a point , "Run What Ya Brun..Man !" With all the Financial Bleedin
and New Cars from "The House of the Risin Sun" comin on Board...Hello Whats that ! Hondas at the Front Door...tell em..ta take a number..Eh ! Nisan's on the other line 1st..Eh ! Oh Ya an Kia is tryin ta fit a eight
cylinder in ta one of their Commercial Stretch Limo's for Nascar's Scurtiny for 2008..well ya get the point ?
Just would like ta know , when did Doug Richert..become Stupid..Hell.. Won  Dale Sr's 1st Cup in 1980 as
his Head Wrench...so I just don't see what Jack & Mr. Smith are Thinkin..Man ! Like the Wheels are fallin
off and the Differential is Leakin Fluid..and no one seems ta care ! Like ...am I the only one who see a serious problem at Roush..or What ! 

[Chris]

well... I don't know what is the deal with Roush.
I can't REALLY say I see a problem.
True a couple years ago he had 5 cars in the chase.... Exit Kurt Busch, enter Jamie McMurray.  Jamie had a terrible season, and frankly I don't think he is top 10 material yet,.. so I didn't expect him in the chase no way.
Martin and Kenseth made it (as expected).  Biffle had some of the WORST luck the season (blew a motor in the closing laps after dominating the race on a couple occasions,.. ran out of gas once.... every time cost him a win, and I'd say about 300 points to his total.)
SO IMO Biffle SHOULD of made the chase this season.  SO that would of been three of four "legitmate" teams that made the chase.  Biffle finished 12th after Richmond as it was.... and Edwards was 13th,.. so it wasn't like either of those teams just didn't perform.

I'd say it wasn't that Roush's teams "failed",.. but that other teams picked up the competition level.  Someone answer me,.. wasn't Denny Hamlin a Surprise.  IMO Jr ONLY made the chase because of some good pit calls by Tony Eury putting him up in the top spots at the end of the race (when he had been running in the 20's all race long)  He did that three or four times right as the deal would down and it let him slip into the chase.  He could have been left out if not for that.
Jeff Burton went to RCR,.. and he lead a resurgence of that team.  SO both he and Harvick made the chase.
SO I don't think I'd see it as a failure of any team,.. just too few spots, so to many good teams.

NEXT season if all goes WELL... I don't look for no more than THREE Roush teams to make the chase.  McMurray IMO I don't think can do a lot.... SO you are left with Kenseth, Biffle, and Edwards.  Ragan is a rookie, and I think needs some time to mature.  I DO think that running both the CUP and BGN series will be an added bonus for him,.. and he being teamed up with Jimmy Fenig will be an asset as well.  He has shown he can take a young driver and do wonders with them

[flamehothead]

I would like to see Nascar not have to depend on the Automakers so much. The main thing that the automakers help with is the Engine because they all have the same Aerodynamics, The so called Common Body. I remember when they started throwing those words around and even then I thought what are they doing, Trying to lose fans. If anyone has noticed all of my different Avatars then you have seen the difference in the Race Car's. The last pic I had up was of Mikey's Pennzoil Grand Prix sitting next to Ward's Hadees Monte Carlo. It was amazing how different the cars were but that was how it was supposed to be. Back then it DID matter if you drove a Chevy or a Ford. When you watched a race at Daytona or Talledega it was a race and I mean a RACE. If you had what they call the big one it was caused by either somebody racing hard or somebody being REALLY stupid not because everybody was bunched up. If it were me I would RIP all of the noses off of the race cars and tell each Manufacturer to bring your own nose in 2007 then we would see some GOOD racing.

[Marlboro Kearney]

Mr. Aftershock had some good replys to my comments......

I just thought and OLD SCHOOL point of veiw was needed........
By the way Aftershock, what form of racing would you most like to be a driver in 2007, Nascar, IRl, or Champ ?

Be honest please.......

If you had a choice to be involved as a team member or a driver would you pick IRL, or Champ Car series.......

Or would you pick Nascar...................

Most people want to grow and expand their own personel lives as they grow older......"includes $$$$"

All sports are about the $$$$$  Not all sports are still about the fans.........

Nascar is still more close to it's fans than any other sport.........

[AfterShock]

Mr. Aftershock had some good replys to my comments......

Thank you Sir. I take that as a complement

I just thought and OLD SCHOOL point of veiw was needed........
By the way Aftershock, what form of racing would you most like to be a driver in 2007, Nascar, IRl, or Champ ?

Be honest please.......

Honestly?
Hmmmmm

I think I'd have to say NASCAR, hopefully void of all the politics.
However, it wouldn't be a race car I'd want to drive. Once a truck driver, maybe always a truck driver. I'd want to drive the transporter. I know I can do that. Driving a race car, well,............ the jury is still out on that one. Even contained betwixt safer walls, I'm thinking I'd still be a major danger to others as well as myself.

If you had a choice to be involved as a team member or a driver would you pick IRL, or Champ Car series.......

Or would you pick Nascar...................

I think I'd pick NASCAR. Again, hopefully void of all the politics.
I'm not a fast tire changer, or hefty enough to be a jackman. Perhaps the best position for me would be gas man. I'm full of gas. 
Put me in a Peterbilt, Kenworth, or Freightliner --- in front of a 53' transporter with spread axles. And I'll back that puppy into the first stall. Maybe cook after that. Or sweep the garage floor. 

Most people want to grow and expand their own personel lives as they grow older......"includes $$$$"

No arguement there Marlboro. But, not at the expense of my dependants. Kinda like truck driving --- out on the road for weeks or months at a time without running by the home-20 during that time. That might provide the bread to keep the family fed, but man, woman, and/or children don't live on bread alone. Ya gotta be home to provide all that's necessary.

Get rich quick usually has it's downfalls. Especially when it's at the expense of others who have supported one in their absense

Me?
I like chocolate.
But I wouldn't be interested in
HERSHEY'S
New Improved with LESS cacao
Yet more and more expensive.

Throwing in more nuts in place of the original ingredients still won't cause me to be more interested

All sports are about the $$$$$  Not all sports are still about the fans.........

If true, isn't that a sad commentary?
Remember though, the Brian has stated NA$CAR is no longer a "sport", but rather 'entertainment'.
I think the fans were entertained more when NASCAR was a sport though.

Nascar is still more close to it's fans than any other sport.........

And, like they say, all things must pass. (Except at some tracks with only one groove.) 

My question is:

At what period of time was NASCAR MORE for the fans

1. In the past?

2. The present?

3. In the future?

4. None of the above?

Bonus question:

What has NA$CAR done FOR the fans lately?