I to prefer shorter races. "Stock" cars have not been 'stock' for decades. Part of the reason I generally only watch the start and finish... if I watch at all.

The shorter races do give you more racing on the track for the time spent on the track, but the thing the longer races give you that you will not get in a short race is the strategy. The "Chess Match" so to speak. Running hard and fast for the whole race will use up your car and it will be junk at the end, saving too much back and you end up too far back to do anything. Short races also tend to end up being a "who is more aggressive" type races only. I guess it is all in what you prefer.

As far as the road racing, I love to watch that as well. Unfortunately there is not a series that is broadcast like Nascar, so I really don't know the different rules/understand all that is going on like I do with Nascar.

I quit watching Nascar a couple of years ago.

I was really lucky as I got off a plane, picked up some Chinese food on my way home, turned on the TV, and saw the last 10 laps of the race. Of course in NASCAR the last 10 laps are the only ones that are worth watching so it worked out fine for me.

With Ford, GM, and Chrysler all having financial problems, how long do you think it will be before all of these spec race cars have Toyota stickers on the bumpers?

I recently read that NASCAR race attendence and TV ratings are way down the past 2 or 3 years. More sponsorship problems are sure to follow.

Wayne

I still think Nascar is on to something with this car. I agree that the past few years have been a decline in the sport. Everything was focused on getting the fans what they wanted, instead of what was really good for the sport. People don't know what they want anyway. The new car did level the playing field. I don't believe that it will stay level, teams with more money/better crews and drivers will do better at figuring out the new car. As it is now, it is new to everyone and even. As teams figure out new things to do, you will have dominant teams again, but being even, you get to see where the real skill is.

Joe

Here are a couple of reasons why I think NASCAR has gone way down.

First and foremost get rid of all of the %^$#@&* unnecessary yellow flag laps. If there is debris on the track, bring out the yellow, clean up the crap, and get immediately back to racing instead of going round and round under the yellow while everyone pits.

Get rid of the lucky dog rule. If one of the big names is down a lap, tough. Let him race his way to the top instead of getting a free pass via a phantom yellow flag. This makes NASCAR look like pro wrestling.

Limit the number of tire changes under caution. Make 'em race.

These are supposed to be Fords, Chevs, Dodges, and now Toyotas. They are also supposed to be stock cars. In fact they are spec race cars that have absolutely nothing to do with the name on the bumper except for the engines which have nothing to do with the engines in the cars in the show room. What's wrong with each manufacturer producing their own cars? At least they would be different instead of them all being exactly the same as they are now. Cost? Big deal. Each team spends millions and millions.

I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about the present engines versus more modern power plants. The are pros and cons to the FI - DOHC - arguement. Lets face it, most people under 40 don't know what a carb or a push rod is anyway.

Wayne

I agree, only the 600 is worst :mad:. Just running off laps sucks. Just isn't the same. I'm an old time Nascar fan, (I was luckly enough to go to the '76 Daytona 500 and the whole Speedweek @ the tender age 9). I also went to almost every Nascar race @ Louden, NH through the late 90's, but this new car has left me cold. Just a sticker package between the different makes :CRY:. Heck, we get a good fight between drivers and everyone is on probation! Don't even get me going about Toyota :JEKYLHYDE.

I'll still watch the races but I'll use my DVR to shorten them up to 50 laps max.....

Pat