2021 NASCAR Big 3

[fieldodreams79]

I've still seen nothing from this weekend, but I'd like to continue dirt talk.

I think the issue with going to an actual dirt track, keeping jokes aside about fan attendance, there's probably not a track that could hold more than a few thousand folks. Rattling off the top of my head, since the New York Fairgrounds track was shuttered a couple of years ago:

Eldora
Springfield Mile is probably the biggest (ARCA used to run there annually)
Knoxville (Iowa)

I'm sure there's a handful of others with similar attendance capabilities to these

[Alfisti]

I've only just got caught up, was impossible for me to watch on Monday.

I enjoyed both races, but the Trucks had me more on the edge of my seat. Can't put my finger on it as to why, but well worth watching if you can.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I've still seen nothing from this weekend, but I'd like to continue dirt talk.

I think the issue with going to an actual dirt track, keeping jokes aside about fan attendance, there's probably not a track that could hold more than a few thousand folks. Rattling off the top of my head, since the New York Fairgrounds track was shuttered a couple of years ago:

Eldora
Springfield Mile is probably the biggest (ARCA used to run there annually)
Knoxville (Iowa)

I'm sure there's a handful of others with similar attendance capabilities to these

Yeah, all the dirt tracks of my youth in Jersey has closed. They followed the bad plan of expansion without the need.

They were a decent dirt track with good Friday and Saturday night racing and reasonably full fields. Thought if we expand we'll get more of this, that will be great. And what did dirt tracks do to expand?? They effing paved the things. Great, now all the dirt guys on a budget were screwed with cars that can't run and costs that shot up, including my old boss in hs, the media center nerd for the district so you know his budget was huge right? Oh, he paid his pit crew in popsicles so yeah, great budgets. The with a paved track and smaller fields the attendance fell and continued to fall until they closed.

All the dirt tracks I can think of locally, North to Middle Georgia, are smaller and definitely the best of amateur and local pro racing but nothing more than that. Think the track on the southside of town closed twice last year, maybe 2019, because cars hit the light stanchions and took them out. So yes, safety 800th for them. I believe the corners are also back in with your car load and sit on the tailgate trackside and have your race evening picnic, so fan friendly experience I've heard.

[broadrun96]

Oh, and there's this fun. It has been tested before with the REAL #5 Kellogs and Terry Labonte.

https://racer.com/2021/03/31/nascar-...-martinsville/

Rain tires at short course could be interesting to watch the testing but the racing? Solid meh and just picturing the pits completely soaked and every car bashing pit wall trying to come in. Just seems like a pointless endeavor, but hey it's their money.

[broadrun96]

They could have held off on that "wet" track testing and used the downtime yesterday to test and dry the track during the red flags. And an actually damp track even

[rustyfan]

While it was nice to see Bowman steal the win, the races at Richmond are a bit... bland, these days. I didn't even watch the race as it happened - I completely forgot about it. Or didn't care. Not sure.

Anyway, I won't miss the upcoming race. It's time for Talladega. Yes, there will be single file running and yes the ending will most likely be a complete eff-show as usual. But, still... it's 'Dega. It's the biggest oval on the schedule. It's a 200mph chess match where the tiniest mistake can turn 20 cars into mangled scrap piles in mere seconds.

I can't freakin' wait

[broadrun96]

I will watch older stock cars, and some retiree named Bill, race around a road course instead. And Saturday see how many of them have rain tires with them

[rustyfan]

Not gonna lie, seeing Logano end up on his roof just made my weekend.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Not gonna lie, seeing Logano end up on his roof just made my weekend.

I was paying so little attention it took a while to realise. Upset was I.

Get so used to him in yellow with red bits, never associated the orange!

[broadrun96]

Ummm, what???

The All-Star Race at Texas race format is as follows:

* The race will feature six rounds, totaling 100 laps.

* Starting lineup for Round 1 will be determined via random draw.

* Rounds 1 through 4 will be 15 laps each; Round 5 will be 30 laps; the Final Round will feature a 10-lap shootout.

* At the beginning of Round 2, the field will be inverted via random draw (minimum of eight/maximum of 12) live on FS1.

* The Round 2 random draw will also be seen live by fans attending the race on Big Hoss TV.

* Before the start of Round 3, the entire field will be inverted.

* At the beginning of Round 4, the field will be inverted via random draw (minimum of eight/maximum of 12).

* Starting positions for Round 5 will consist of the cumulative finish from Rounds 1-4. The lowest cumulative finisher starts on the pole, second-lowest starts second, and so forth. All cars must enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop during Round 5.

* The starting positions in the Final Round are set by finishing positions of Round 5.

* Only green flag laps will count in the NASCAR All-Star race.

* The fastest team on pit road during the mandatory pit stop will earn $100,000.

* The race winner will be awarded $1,000,000.

From a technical side, all elements of the car remain the same except for the tapered spacer which will be 57/64ths.

From Racer.com

[Adam43]

I have an alternative format suggestion:

A race.

[S griffin]

I think it needs to be simpler again. No more stages or chases. Just simple racing with a simple championship and let them race hard but fair

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Ummm, what???

The All-Star Race at Texas race format is as follows:

* The race will feature six rounds, totaling 100 laps.

* Starting lineup for Round 1 will be determined via random draw.

* Rounds 1 through 4 will be 15 laps each; Round 5 will be 30 laps; the Final Round will feature a 10-lap shootout.

* At the beginning of Round 2, the field will be inverted via random draw (minimum of eight/maximum of 12) live on FS1.

* The Round 2 random draw will also be seen live by fans attending the race on Big Hoss TV.

* Before the start of Round 3, the entire field will be inverted.

* At the beginning of Round 4, the field will be inverted via random draw (minimum of eight/maximum of 12).

* Starting positions for Round 5 will consist of the cumulative finish from Rounds 1-4. The lowest cumulative finisher starts on the pole, second-lowest starts second, and so forth. All cars must enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop during Round 5.

* The starting positions in the Final Round are set by finishing positions of Round 5.

* Only green flag laps will count in the NASCAR All-Star race.

* The fastest team on pit road during the mandatory pit stop will earn $100,000.

* The race winner will be awarded $1,000,000.

From a technical side, all elements of the car remain the same except for the tapered spacer which will be 57/64ths.

From Racer.com

Is this serious?

[broadrun96]

Yup, and what I can't tell it why are they advertising who gets to see the live draw? Really, cause we will see it as soon as they come around the track.

People have decided this will matter because million bucks on the line. I'll bet most every team with a chance to win it gets more than that selling the car livery for this race and others in the season. Cup ain't cheap and while a million isn't peanuts, it's only gonna be important for those guys who NEED it to stay on. Oh, and they cut the Open entries to only the winner, not top 4 so even fewer of the guys who really need the million. I'll bet there's more practice and thought on the 100k to the pit crew than million to the driver

[Alfisti]

I have a way better idea than that ****.

Just put all the car numbers on ping pong balls, pop 'em in a goldfish bowl and pull one out.

Cuts all the nonsense and at least we'll understand who actually won.

Oh, and I wonder if Joey was simply getting some practice at being inverted at 'Dega, all part of a master plan to win the All Star?

[broadrun96]

Now that I might watch, inverted Cup cars with driver strapped in upside down as well

[broadrun96]

Not 2021 car, far from it, but good fun and nascar history

https://racer.com/2021/04/29/paul-go...-roarin-relic/

[broadrun96]

I've been getting bombed with the F1 and Nascar race channel and the Cup race this weekend is the Buschy-McBuschrace?? WTF, Boaty McBoatface was funny once and great to poke everyone who wanted to be too serious, but that was years ago losers.

It was a Twitter vote and ALL 3 were miles better

https://twitter.com/BuschBeer/status...as-speedway%2F

[Alfisti]

I thought you were taking the Michael. Then I looked at the NASCAR website.

The right to bear guns seems a good one in my opinion. Bear down on marketeers with them... if only to shock them into not being so stoooopid.

[S griffin]

Someone needs to take away the spade NASCAR has before they dig themselves into oblivion

[broadrun96]

I'm torn about the new car, can't see enough to decide if I like them.

https://racer.com/2021/05/05/nascars...xt-gen-reveal/

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm torn about the new car, can't see enough to decide if I like them.

https://racer.com/2021/05/05/nascars...xt-gen-reveal/

I like them. I also like the fact that the new car is symmetrical and that it will eliminate the "crabbing" when driving in a straight line, which has always looked silly to me.

[broadrun96]

It's definitely better than the old car but being hit in the head with a 12 oz hammer is better than a sledge but neither is good.

[NaBUru38]

I like the smaller "windows" and shorter rear overhang.

[Alfisti]

Not gonna lie, the cars from the early 00's are my faves by a country mile, the Chevy in particular and especially so the DEI schemes from the time.

I think the new car is better than the old, and both are way better than the car of tomorrow crap from a decade or so ago.