From The Mouths Of Babes

[smyler]

I do think that most NASCAR fans would be happy to have a woman drive successfully in one of the elite series.  I also don't think it would hurt that a person of color was successful.  I do however think that NASCAR can only stand so many foreign drivers before the old fans just get tired of it and walk away.  Having a single Juan Pablo can be exciting for Cup, but if we end up with a dozen foreigners, half of which are in the top 15, well, it would broaden the fan base, likely, but the culture of NASCAR would be irreparably changed.  It will no longer be an American series. 

Bryan has Busch racing in both Canada and Mexico this next year.  Think five years from now.  Brazil? Japan? England?  Think ten years from now and you may be looking at a competitor to F1, world wide.  Things are changing, baby!

Anybody who has ever been to a race has some idea of why racing is so fun, and what happens on the track is only half of the fun.  I don't think I've ever been to a race and not talked to people on all sides of me, even if it is to give someone a hard time when their driver does something (you can always tell who they root for by hats and shirts).  It's just fun.  If we fill the stands with people who don't speak English we will no longer have the camaraderie.  I don't think that is a racist thing to say, it is simply a cultural truth.

Sure, we can say that mixing cultures in venues such as racing is a good way to get to know each other.  I have no argument with that.  I'm just worried that as we move forward we are going to be thinking political thoughts when all we should be thinking of is racing issues.  It's supposed to be entertainment.  For at least a short period that may not be the case. 

As I write this I think about how the big 3 (NFL, MLB and NBA) went through changes.  At one time they were all exclusively white.  I do think our culture is better integrated now than when those leagues made their changes so hopefully this transition will be easier for us.  Racism isn't as rampant as it was 40 years ago.  It is inevitable, however, that this change happens.  Many of us wanted the sport to become more popular.  They say be careful what you wish for because it might come true.

[Tyyrus]

 Actually Smyler I would welcome Nascar going International..why not the Olympics Series of Stock Car Racin ?
 The entire World embraces the Winter and Summer Olympics..The Worlds Best Athletes Competing against
each other. Sure there still shall not be parity , since one team is always better than another..but still the Series
going Global is not such a bad idea ! Any competitors would have to speak a second lanquage..English.
Hell Hockey was once the Great White Sport..now it is enjoyed around the World. Actually improved the Game
a little exposure Internationally , would only improve the Sport. Actually it's will change with Toyota and Honda
coming on Board .Just a matter of time..even old dinausaur Brian..will give way eventually to more free thinking and  Technalogical form of Racing. Improvement takes time and as we all know Time Stands Still for no Man or Woman. So in closing having foreigners in the Sport won't eliminate North Americans from Racing
just ensure only the Best North American Compete , unless your afraid that them Foreigners are better ?

P.S. Remember.. Your Only as Good as Your Competition ! Perhaps todays level of Competition could Improve...seen it happen in other Sports..Hockey is just One Example....Eh !   

[AfterShock]

I think NASCAR needs to get back to it's roots ---- runnin' moonshine on dirt roads.

[sugar]

Sign me up!    LOL

[AfterShock]

Sign me up!    LOL

.........

Absolutely!!!

After all, you're one of the main ingredients!
Doncha know?

Or, is Rum?
Oh well, Rum,  Corn Squeezeins'
I forget.

Too many hot-toddies, I guess. What's IN those things anyway?

[sugar]

I'm Smilin' - You kill me!!

[smyler]

I know international is the way of the future, but I have to say that it makes me quite sad.  I agree with the wave backwards towards the moonshiners.  No offense to the Canadians here, but NASCAR has been a Southern tradition for a long time.  I'd like to know what is wrong with tradition? 

I think the whole sport started changing with Jeff Gordon.  Until him, the sport was virtually dominated by Southerners.  Yeah, there are exceptions, but it wasn't until the media paid attention to Jeff that those outside of South really cared much about Winston Cup racing.  I grew up in Oregon and I don't recall even one time either having or hearing a conversation about NASCAR before 1995.

I moved to Charlotte in 1997.  Racing is a staple of conversations for most white folk down that way.  In the four years I lived there I had 1000 chats about racing related topics.  It was fun.

Now, I'm in the Philly area and I've met a number of fans, but it still isn't as fun as back in NC.  There are casual fans here but not as many rabid ones as I'd like there to be.  This brings me back to Canada, Mexico and beyond.  I like talking about racing with anyone who will listen, so no matter where someone is from, I guess it means there will be more people to talk about it with. 

Anyway, I think this is the year people will look back on and say it was the beginning of a whole new era for NASCAR.  What it was will never be again.

[flamehothead]

I know international is the way of the future, but I have to say that it makes me quite sad.

I am thinking before I open my mouth so give me a second please.

Ok I'm ready to go.

I would have to agree with ya smyler. I think alot of us are scared of change sometimes and we wonder what will happen to Nascar in the future. I know I am.

At my local Short Track they never raced anything but American made cars, That was until last year anyway. They started running a Sport Compact class with everything from a Chevy Beretta to a Honda Prelude. I will be the first to admit that I was very upset to say the least because I live in America and I want to see American made cars on the track. As for Nascar, It won't be long until we see Nissan, Mazda, and of course Honda which is already in the IRL. I was watching the new Micheal Waltrip show and the guy who runs the show there said in a meeting that they were going to have to work even harder to get the D.Jarrett fan's back because of him switching to Toyota. I for one want to see ONLY American made cars on the Nascar circuit.

[Tyyrus]

  This brings me back to Canada, Mexico and beyond.  I like talking about racing with anyone who will listen, so no matter where someone is from, I guess it means there will be more people to talk about it with. 

Anyway, I think this is the year people will look back on and say it was the beginning of a whole new era for NASCAR.  What it was will never be again.

  : Now yer talkin Smyler , your beginning to broaden your horizon's..Baby ! Nascar is already an International Sport , the Ole
Boy's Club just don't know it yet. The Old Red Neck Southern Mentality is gonna have to die a slow death , I reckon.
Just think where America's Game of Baseball would be today with having the African American's , Latino's , Mexican's
..hell even a few Canuck's. Multi - Culturalizium is not a four letter word. It only indicates , that the Sport has grown in
interest and that more Individuals than ever wish to participate 1st hand without the need of excessive travel . I know we have gotton a little off topic , but thats ok...good stuff this tradin ideas. As far as foreigners (Non-North American) content
I have no problems , no real sports enthusiast  is ever going to forget where Nascar's Roots were developed. The Old
South has a lot to be Proud of. Just like many aformentioned Sports have been originated in some small other area
of the world , they have grown to an International if not global level. Heck just look at one of my favorite pastimes...
Billiards , originated in England as Snooker , became North Americanized as the Sport of Eight Ball and refined into the
Game of Nine Ball ... Played Internationally as a Competitive Recreational Sport. I could go on but you get my jest . I realize the threat that expansion creates , with existing race dates..and would hope that all existing Southern Race sites
would remain to preserve Nascar's Southern Racing Heritage...well that's my collective thoughts on the International
expansion , as far as women..wish more would  participate locally , which would increase their potential for exposure and
eventual participation in all levels of Nascar..Ty ! HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL HOO..HOO..HOO !