As the NASCAR circus moves to left coast for a couple of weeks at California and Vegas, whatever your take is on the finish of the Daytona 500, NASCAR has done much more RIGHT than Wrong.
MRN Radio's Dave Moody quotes, open wheel advocate Robin Miller, concerning the disparity in monies between various US racing series.
"In total, NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series paid over 219 million in purse money last season. The Indy Racing League paid 24 million; 10 million of which came from a single race, the Indy 500. Champ Car paid a paltry 6.5 million in purse money for its 14 events, and just 1.5 million in point fund money." more..
I believe NASCAR has to be happy with all the exposure they get; good bad or indifferent, the circus is hard to ignore.
Steve
For me it's become JUST a circus. I'm finding it easier to ignore as time passes. I once watched every race flag to flag but no longer. If I get to see the last 20 laps or so I'm fine. Dale Earnhardt's death has alot to do with my waning interest but the fact remains, everytime Brian France spills his Coke (should that be an upper case C or lower case)and bumps his head driving into a tree he comes up with more goofy ideas. But wait! The COT is on its way to save the day. Please spare me.
Posted by: Man in Black | February 23, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Reply to Man in Black. Brian France must have designed this thing--or at least modified it.
At least NASCAR gives us something new to talk about every week. NASCAR takes the old saying, that everyone uses for THEIR region; "If you don't like the weather--wait a minute and it will change." and applies it to their product.
I can understand how losing "your guy" can have an affect on your following the sport. I think because NASCAR is so personality driven that, it is difficult to change allegances when your guy is no longer racing--for whatever reason. I still look to see how Bill Elliott qualifys and races, when he is in one, but, I haven't really found the "next guy". Yeah, I like Kasey Kahne okay and I used to like Mark Martin a bit, but never to the degree that I would sit on the edge of the seat and scream at the TV for them to win, like I did for Bill.
Everything was just perfect for me to root for Bill. He was an outsider, from Georgia. He drove a Ford. He was quiet and unassuming and he was FAST. I am sure MIB that you could give an entire laundry list of why you followed Senior and its hard to replace that list with someone else. When you are used to atching what is going on in the center ring, its tough to start paying attention to the side show.
Posted by: Steve | February 23, 2007 at 11:07 AM