Anyone else watch the Talladega race today? I was hoping Bobby could pull off the win but instead wound up in "The Big One."


[Thread title modified for clarity - Outsports moderator]

[ February 15, 2006, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

Do you think they will make real changes before Daytona, or is NASCAR just blowing more smoke?

Hey guys, my partner and I are going to our first NASCAR event this Saturday. It's the Busch Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Any pointers on what to expect at the race?

If you have never been to a race before, You will find out it is much better in person. There is just something about the sound of the engines and the crowd screaming together that makes it much more exciting.

Steen, expect your skin to be covered with miniscule bits of rubber when you come out.

Steen, racerboy is right: being AT a race is absolutely unbelievable. If you have the opportunity to be walking along the fence (though security most likely won't let you stand there) as the cars come down the front (or back) stretch all together at re-starts, etc., the sound and power is awesome! I've never been coated with rubber (though I guess that could be fun ; ) it depends on how close you are to the track.

The large crowds usually get to me after awhile (most races are 80-90,000 + people, some much more) but the Busch race shouldn't be so crowded. It's usually good eye candy, too. I don't know where you're sitting at Phoenix, but if I remember correctly, they have a pretty cool hill area where fans can sit on the ground and not have to be on top of each other in the stands.

As far as restrictor plates and tracks go, I don't know what the answer is either. I don't call riding around all day together in one big pack "exciting" as NASCAR seems to think, but neither is one big, single file frieght train. This seems to be an inherent problem with 2+ mile tracks but I simply can't imagine them replacing them with other races. The Daytona 500 is the granddaddy of them all; I can't see them doing away with it or altering the track.

I totally agree racr18. They will never give up or change the racetrack. The changes will have to be in the cars themselves. The big problem being if they just pull off the restrictor plates, the cars will be doing 230. At those speeds if there is a wreck, the car has a good chance of ending up in the grandstands. If that ever happens, can you say 'Lawsuit'?

I think that the cars will have to look significantly different from what they do now to slow them down. NASCAR needs to make them a bitch to drive, so the drivers can't flatfoot it all the way around.

Yeah, I guess it wasn't really a problem until 1985 or so when Bill Elliot broke the 200 mph barrier in a stock car. But I'm sorry, I haven't seen an exciting race at Talladega in awhile. I go to Dover every year, both races, which to me is an awesome track. You've got enough space to move around and steep-ass banking to make it exciting. It pains me to say this because I don't care for the track, but even little Martinsville wasn't a bad race this fall. In fact, it was one of the few races this year that finally had me yelling/cheering for somebody at the end (and yelling at Bill Weber for calling Ricky Craven "Rudd"!).

Even CART can't run at ultra-high speeds, as we saw at Texas this year. I think one of the biggest problems is that NASCAR has its fingers in too many of the tracks financially to be objective about racing there.

The short tracks are always the best. You always know that someone will bump someone else and the temper and tin will fly. The post-race interviews are almost better than the racing.
My favorite track that I have attended so far has to be Charlotte, but I really would like to go to Richmond. I saw Bristol in the daytime, but I hear it's way better at night. Right now, the only reason I have to go to Daytona is to say that I've been there, so I hope they make it better.

Have been to Richmond a couple times. For a short short track, it's pretty cool because it has quite a bit of banking and guys can get around each other. Makes for great Saturday night racing (but it's hell trying to get out of there afterwards). Also saw an IRL race there this summer, but Richmond's just not big enough for open wheel racing.

Wow!! We had a great time. will post more about the race latter. Gotta watch the Diamondbacks beat NY.

Go D-Backs!!!

Had to get that in. First off I have to say that going to a NASCAR race is unlike any sports experience I have ever had. It looks, sounds and smells like nothing I have ever experienced. Second thing is that the sport is so easy to follow even if you know as little as I do.

I certainly want to go see another race sometime.

Hey, Steen. Glad you enjoyed the race. Following the sport (like any other) is more interesting if you're pulling for someone. Do you and your partner have a favorite driver(s)? I see Greg Biffle won both the Busch as well as the truck races in Phoenix.

We liked Greg but I started to pull for #17 after about 50 laps. He did great till right at the end when he chashed. In general we seemed to like the Rousch Racing team.

If you liked the race at Phoenix, you may want to check out the Texas track when they race there. It's got some good banking so the cars can really haul the mail there. It is one of the fastest tracks on the circuit, but you can still pass there.
Most of the other good tracks would require a long trip for you if you live near Phoenix. (Bristol, Richmond, and Charlotte are probably some of the best)

I must admit that I'm not a fan of Roush Racing but Matt Kenseth (#17 in Busch part-time and #17 in Winston Cup full-time) is awesome. He's a thoughtful, talented driver with a great attitude.

Did anyone watch the race this weekend?

Joe Nemecheck?

Although I was glad to see someone new win,
where did that come from? It was just like his previous win. Out of nowhere and back into the middle of the pack.

Yeah, but North Carolina's kinda like that: an anybody-can-win track. Even so, he had a strong car all day and led almost 200 laps, so he was up there for quite awhile. Same for Kenny Wallace who came in second. And Benson (third) came from WAY back in the field. Most of the usual leaders struggled, including Bobby who looked really strong early but then dropped back.