What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I just wanted to ask; whats the point of the NASCAR racing? The cars just go around a track a few hundred times, and it seems redundent to me. Why not just like 10 laps?

Can someone explain NASCAR racing to me? Mabey im just not seeing something. I occasionally watch minutes for the crashes but I dont see how ppl watch it for a few hours like it was football.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

i feel the same way....boring.

except for the crashes :D

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Racing for points and positions.
try this link for a brief explanation.
http://mwww.nascar.com/kyn/nascar_101/

History of NASCAR
http://mwww.nascar.com/kyn/history/

Saying you watch it for just the crashes would get you beat up quick around here.
Do you also watch football to see people get injured?
But for the most part the cars are REALLY safe, but there is always a chance of someone dying in a race and thats the risk they take.

As for it being boring,
F1 is boring to me but to each his own I say.
Some people think watching golf is not boring, so it takes all kinds, eh.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

The fact is the people who watch nascar are relaly watching for the crashes, and the actual fans of the racing must have stared into the sun one too many times.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Thank you for proving my point that you, and lots of people don,t have a clue.
Good try at the insult tho ;)
Oh and shouldn't this be in the sports section?
Or should I expect another failed attempt at an insult that NASCAR is not a sport?

If you are looking for crashes, make sure to tune in this Sunday for the Daytona 500. there will be crashes.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

It was no insult, anyone who watches nascar for the "points" are crazy, sitting for hours watching cars loop around in circles. And about the crashes, do people not slow down to look at crash scenes?

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Still proving my point, cool.
How connected to the NASCAR community are you to make these assumptions?
Anyway, with your opinions aside, which you are entitled to...
Yeah of course people watch the crashes when it happens, but race fans do not watch a race in the hopes of watching their favorate driver crash and get hospitalized. I know you are smarter than that.
Are the crashes cool to watch? hell yeah, especially when nobody gets hurt.

Now crashes at short tracks like Bristol are very fun, the track is so small and everyone is fighting for realestate and someone is bound to be shoved in the wall. Cars are not going as fast as say, Talladega or Daytona where a crash could mean death.

Most old school race fans have engines and racing in their blood, like me.
I raced go-karts as a kid and dirt track modifieds. Hobby got too expensive.
I did not have the financing to run the big leages.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I agree Nite, NASCAR seems way too boring to just watch 50 cars going in circles for 4 hours.

I don't even watch NASCAR (OMG!!! a floridian who doesn't watch NASCAR, oh god!) and when i did, it was only for the crashes....Although i must say the Dale Earnhardt thing was tragic.

To me racing should be different looking cars on curcuits, not the same looking cars on an oval. Yes NASCAR has road-courses, but only two or three. I'll stick to watching my F1, my ALMS, and the occasional Touring Car or Rally event. :)

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

What is so exciting about F1 to you?
I will admit an F1 crash is fun to watch :)
Those things come apart.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Well, i guess next year F1 won't be nearly as good as it once was but i digress from that topic....

F1 has some of the best drivers racing in races (on real race courses) that require skill and technique. The drivers don't just race around an oval and turn the wheel right all the time. F1 also is liked and heard of around the world and every race shows other cultures, lives, fans, and auras. NASCAR is a bunch of rednecks driving the same looking cars around an oval track, the fans are almost all ridiculously patriotic redneck Americans. Generally the Fan base of NASCAR has never heard of F1, and tournaments like the Japan GT championship and the Le Mans 24 hours.

I don't wish to go on because this is NOT in the melee and i don't feel like getting into a flame war.:lookaround:

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

O ok.
I'll take my chances.
Yes actually. Not always but sometimes.
As long as you are in a car its safe, not if you are trying to cross the track :lol:
I like -1 more because its like an actual race around a track. I would like NASCAR cept its FIVE HUNDRED laps. I wouldnt even have the willpower to keep doing that. I'd get bored around lap 25. Then I would be like 'screw this', and go peel out 200 MPH on a freeway.
Thats not fair Mihial. You dont kno why they are watching. They may actually be fans of racers. Dont assume like that. And dont call it a 'fact', because it isnt. Nobody watches a 5 hour race for 1 or 2 POSSIBLE crashes.

Im just trying to find out why watching cars go around a track 500 times is appealing to anyone.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I love Conan O'Brien's character for republicans: Gun Toting, NASCAR-Driving Jesus :lol:

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

The crash scenes are the most entertaining part to me. Otherwise, I think the cars are ugly, and the activity of watching them make left turns all day is about as engrossing as waiting for crab grass to grow on your lawn.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

IT does get boring every now and then. However I don't enjoy watching sports. Except for Hockey, there is just something about hockey...

Nascar is not something I want to watch, but rather, something I want to participate in. Its teh most famous racing circut in the U.S., and I want to race.

I whish I could have raced go-karts, or on a Dirt track. Well, its back to the video games.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Why do so many people say they watch NASCAR for the crashes? Even the crashes are boring. Who wants to see a car spin out a few times and crash into a guard rail, with just some smoke and no injuries? All they do is throw up a caution flag and it sucks. Now, if the cars had to keep racing through the wrecks, it would be interesting...

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Wow, for a bible thumper you are pretty violent :lol:

Talking about boring sports, basketball has gotto be one of the most boring sports to watch.
Bunch of thug animals running up and down passing a ball around :lol:


Just so you know, they used to race back tothe line after a wreck but did away with that due to too many injuries.
If you were in the racecar you would agreewith this rule, as a viewer it stinks.
Monster, I am going to Daytona for a ride/training session/
For a chunk of change I get to actually race other people with a de-tuned CUP car :)
But you are right, participating in racing is a WHOLE nuther world :)
The ones who sit here and bash it wouldn't survive 2 laps :lol:

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I watch NASCAR all the time.
Matter of fact, I watch almost all of the motorsports racing, including F1.
I watch for enjoyment, not for the crashes.

As for the racing being easy or not a sport, try running at 180mph 2 inches off the bumper of the car in front of you and see how nervous you get.
The cars interiors also can get above 180 degrees F.

If Golf is a sport, why can't racing be a sport?

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

:Censored:
Yeah, bump drafting is an art form!
Saving your tires, saving fuel.
Knowing when to pass.
Hell, I get nervous just playing my NASCAR SIM going 3/4 wide at 180+ MPH!

Hey, you going to watch the Gatorade 150's today?
Also, who is your driver?

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I've never understood the point of nascar.

The only motorsports I enjoy is Rallycross and Speedway, I don't know how big those sports are in the states though.

And yes, I know that they're only going in circles in speedway too, but I still find it fun. There's only 4 drivers and the races are only a few minutes long. And (IMO) it's much more fun to watch.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

If you have to ask 'Whats the Point?' of any sport, then that sport is not for you and you should leave it at that.

If you reply to that question when in fact you have no clue what your talking about, that's called spam and you should be hit, by a 'Nascar'. Some people make me laugh, but not with you...at you! (I'm talking about the one's that think they know about something but have no clue).

As for myself. I know of Nascar. I think it's cool and I will watch it on occasion. When I found out Dale Earnhardt died, I was extremely sad. I'm not a huge fan (don't think I have even watched a full race), but I did tune in from time to time. To watch the race, not hope for crashes. You might think there exciting, but in a case like Dale, there not fun at all.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

master.
Click the link I posted aboutthe points system. Even tho I liked the old points system better.
NASCAR is not for everyone.
Like I said, some people actually watch golf and basketball. hehe.
I like all forms of racing, F1 being near the bottom but it's still racing :)
Oh and I agree, Rally has got to be the best form of racing, I would LOVE to participate in that someday!

Do you know that crash that killed Dale, he did not even hit the wall THAT hard!!! It was because his neck was not supported with the hans(sp) device like they are now :(
Watching Elliot Saddlers flip at 190MPH at Daytona was crazy, and he WALKED away without a scratch!
All it takes is a little jolt the wrong way and you are done for :(
The cars are so much safer now thank GOD!

I do not like their new rules, even thos it is safer for the drivers.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Wasn't there report's that he had a heart attack or something? (was a while ago so I'm not up to date on that situation).

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I did not hear of that?
I will look it up now, but I believe it was a neck injury, bascially his neck snapped when he hit the wall I think.
If you watch the race on Sunday or today for a min, you will see those huge neck devices they have to wear now. They cannot look anywhere but straight ahead. They rely on their spotter for other car positons .

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Yea, I remember that event caused some major Neck Brace upgrades.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

It's not like I'm mocking people that likes nascar Gizmo...It seems that people tends to be very defensive about this subject :uhm:. I have the fullest respect for people that likes nascar, it's just that that I can't see the fun of it.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Here is a quick page I found. will look more later..
http://www.skfriends.com/earnhardt-a...rticles.htm#10


R.I.P Dale :(
http://espn.go.com/media/pg2/2001/02...sr_crash_i.jpg

Not talking about you, I don;t think. You're cool man :)
Oh and I have a passion for racing, especially NASCAR, and I'm not even a redneck, nor do I live in the south :)
Jimmi Johnson and Jeff Gordon, 2 of the best drivers are from California and other places. It's not all about the south anymore and I can even understand what the drivers are saying ;)

The roots of NASCAR are from the south, but this sport is nationwide baby :)
Now back on topic.

To the ones who do like NASCAR, what do you think about the new points system?

Think about the points system as consistancy. To be competitive, you not only have to win races, but be constant in every race. Trying not to wreck your car and get a DNF (did not finish) or get lapped too many times.
You build points up each race.
So you can win the trophy and not even win a race, sucks IMO but that is how the game is played.
Kind of like drag racing is about consistancy, not always speed.
Each week the team and driver have to prepare for a different track, the weather condidions, car set ups ect.
the fastest car does not always win.

Tracks like Daytona and Talladega you have to work with partners to be competitive.
2 cars are faster than one.
Drafting and Bumpdrafting comes into play and is fun to watch.

If you don't make any friends out there you will be all alone and running slow :)

I gotta lay off the coffee, too many edits :uhoh:

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I wasn't aiming at you MoP. I was sending that message to some of the other people that took part in this topic and added 0 knowledge on the source, but thought they were pretty cool with there pointless replies.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

My drivers are all with Petty Enterprises. I've been a Petty fan as long as I can remember.

Dale, Kenny Irwin, and Adam Petty all died in races from what is called a Basil Skull Fracture. It's where the base of the skull, where it attaches to the spine, is broken by the head whipping around and body doesn't move, as it's strapped into the car.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Ahh, the KING! When racing was racing and not a show ;)

I am a Kevin Harvick fan above all, but I also like Dale Jr and Tony Stewart.

What do you think about Jeff and Jimmi this year, man those two are a deadly combo on the track! mega talant.


The Gatorade Duel -- which will determine the lineup for Sunday's Daytona 500 is coming up soon from Daytona. The first race gets underway shortly after 1 p.m.
Watch it on FX

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

If Jeff can get his mind back on racing and Jimmie does what he's has been doing, then I think that they're going to be hard to beat.

But, with the new Dodges and the increased downforce on them, which makes them more of a drivers car, they might have a few surprise winners this year.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

yeah those Chargers are FAST in the draft! But need some help on their own it seems.
Ryan Newman is the one Charger driverto look out for.
Lotta spins so far in the 1st race!

WOW Mike Waltrip WON, beat Dale Jr by a hair!!

GO Kevin in the 2nd round!
Boris is also in the 2nd race and starts 5th.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I saw the race where Dale Sr. died. He hit the wall HARD. Imagine going from about 80 miles per hour, to 0 in less than a second. That was how bad it was. Your neck can snap at 60mph.

I think Adam died in qualifying. IE not a time trial, not the actual race. If I remember correctly Kenny Irwin died at the same spot in the track, during the race. Same mistake, same injury, same result.

Dale had a choice of whether or not to use the "Hans Device" neck restraint. He said it would hang him, if he crashed.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

When they developed and built the Charger, they gave up a little of the aerodynamics and got a little more downforce. Remember, only 3 or 4 tracks raced on are aero tracks, the rest are downforce, driver tracks.

Newman has been a force in NASCAR since Rusty brought him in. But I think we're gonna have to watch Kasey Kahne this year too.

I have that race on tape. And he went from 180 to 0, but he didn't hit as hard as some of the wrecks I've seen.
Adam was killed during a practice session at New Hampshire. No mistake was made by Adam, when he was killed, his throttle stuck wide open, after going down the staight away and could not make the turn. He hit the turn 3 wall head-on.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Yeah I forgot about Khasey, that kid is good!
So much new young talant it's going to be a great season.
Truex Jr is also good.

Race #2 is on... Gotta go watch Harvick win this :) :beer:

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Well I just heard about Adam in the local news, it was a while ago, so my memory isn't that good.

I wasn't saying it was the hardest impact, but it was hard. Like I said, it was the equivalent of going 80-0 in a second. Thats about how much speed was taken off from the impact I believe.

That 180mph, he was also going sideways. He didn't go full 180 into the wall. At most 120mph. He was being pushed before he hit.

What have you seen that was harder? Did the driver survive? That was one of the Hardest impacts I've seen in a while. Mainly because the car didn't spin, or flip. It just remained straight.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

There goes Harvicks chance! Huge crash. He should KNOW better than to bumpdraft in acorner WTF!
He did have a run on JJ tho.

Jimmi Johnson is a little baby whiner, I really have no respect for him, although he is talanted.
Thats racin

After watching the replay, it looks like JJ slowed down, Harvick had no where to go and was on his ass at190MPH.
Kevin still shouldn't have bumped him, but I wasn't in the car so what do I know.
JJ and the others are such crybabys when something doesn't go their way it makes me laugh.

Woohoo, at least my other driver won, Tony Stewart!
Jeff Burton 2nd.
Sunday's race should be crazy!

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

A lot of the hardest crashes happened a few years a go.
Ricky Craven at Talledega sailing over a car and rolling along the catch fence.
Geoff Bodine in the trucks, rolling down the tri-oval and almost into the stands.
Rusty Wallace along the back straight away, flipping 10 times, end over end.

Just a few.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Man, Rusty has bad luck at the Super Speedways, doesnn't he . hehe.

Remember Elliot Saddlers crash last year at Talladega? He flipped that thing llike 8 times in the air and walked away without a scratch!
It was because of the dirt being there, which is not now I think.
Nose of car dipped in dirt and flipped. They have concrete there now right?

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

http://forums.filefront.com/images/s.../confusedx.gif I'm a Bible thumper?

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I think your right. they made a lot of changes and I think putting in concrete was one of them.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

NASCAR is a funny sport. You watch it on TV and think meh, not for me. I was the same way until I actually went to my first NASCAR event. The atmosphere, electricity in the air, smell of fuel and oil, the rumble of the engines, that high-pitched whine when the cars go screaming past you! At that moment, I thought what a COOL sport!

Go to a race (any race really), guarantee you'll change your mind.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

How right you are!

Daytona 500 starts at 2:00, pre-show on now for those who are interested!
We should see the big one today, just hope nobody gets hurt.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I dont watch NASCAR, I only look to see who won. I find F1 more interesting but I dont like the cars that much.

Now IMSA, FIA road racing, Trans Am? Im your man.

I love watching the Daytona 24hours, Sebring, LeMans, Nurenburg, etc. I especially love the cars. I especially like the racers based off production models. Skyline GTR's, Saleen Mustangs, Saleen S7's, Porche's, Ferrari's, etc. I love the engine sound as they upshift and downshift, its like music.


Mihail your comments are not entirely off base. There are people who watch for the crashes.

There are however people who are devoted to NASCAR and have their favorite driver and watch the races with as much attention and devotion as NFL Superbowl fans.

This is especially true in the south where the majority of NASCAR tracks are.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I dont like nascar, crashes are the only thing that are good in it. hey, what can i say, i'm australian. http://forums.filefront.com/images/smilies/winkx.gif

If you want some great racing, watch the V8 Supercars, now that is great stuff. Rally, F1, DTM, and Lemans stuff is also great.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

I do :D

I used to watch the Craig Lowndes "Green Eyed Monster" Falcon XR8 race. Im not sure when the races are on anymore.

Im still pissed that Ford wont import the Falcon XR8 to the states. I would also like to see the Tickford DOHC turbo Inline six imported.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

Don't turn right.

Re: What is the point of NASCAR?
 

the point of nascar is to pollute, make noise, use fossil fuels, and entertain rednecks.