NASCAR - why so popular?

[happyvac]

I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything, I just want to know why so many people seem to enjoy NASCAR. I've tuned in to it before, and it seemed to me that it was just cars driving. Maybe I'm missing out on some atmosphere at a live race, but it just doesn't seem like there's much to break up the monotony of dozens of laps of driving.
Just curious, not trying to bring about an argument.

 

[seasalt101]

Originally Posted by HappyVac
I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything, I just want to know why so many people seem to enjoy NASCAR. I've tuned in to it before, and it seemed to me that it was just cars driving. Maybe I'm missing out on some atmosphere at a live race, but it just doesn't seem like there's much to break up the monotony of dozens of laps of driving.
Just curious, not trying to bring about an argument.
not a big fan and probably an answer a true fan hates to hear i like the wrecks it's an honest answer anyway...tobin

 

[reefforbrains]

Seeing 200mph on video doesnt even come close to seeing it in life.
At the track seeing 325mph in person is amazing in the every sense of the word.
I personally and not a fan of Nascar but I do like racing of almost every kind.
To see Indy live or AMA superbikes it doesnt even seem real the way the machines perform.
Thats my draw anyway... But go figure.....Im a self admitted Gearhead.

 

[sprang]

I'm not into racing much, But I've read that like the top three sporting events in the world are all racing events, beating out the world series and even the super bowl! I live near indianapolis and I still hear little about racing next to football and basketball so I thought that was quite interesting.

 

[ruaround]

most just dont understand and play it off as a stupid sport that takes no talent, only ignorant people watch/participate, theres no big deal about driving around in a circle, anyone can o it, blah blah blah, etc. etc. etc...
there are 43 individuals that put their team up against the ther 42 week in week out... they drive at speeds that average 200 mph just inches away from each other in cars that have 900+ horse power... they drive 400 to 600 miles with no breaks in blistering heat... they change 4 tires get a tank of gas and make adjustments to the cars in under 15 seconds... ultimately its the thrill of the race...
Kansas Motor Speedway - Oct 06

 

[sprang]

Always wondered how the drivers race in that heat. I know the temps can get up over 100 on the track. How can they race that long in the heat with all the git-up they have to wear?

 

[ruaround]

Originally Posted by sprang
Always wondered how the drivers race in that heat. I know the temps can get up over 100 on the track. How can they race that long in the heat with all the git-up they have to wear?
they do have "cool suits" (small tubes of cooled water flow through the suit and there are strategicaly placed vent for air flow) now but the temps in the cars get pretty freakin high...

 

[jennythebugg]

i don't watch it alot but i enjoy watching the segments where they have the cutaway car and they talk about the cars and how each part works or doesn't if they are talking about someones crash which is also cool -but only if no one gets hurt- i havent watched in a long time,guess i need to catch up

 

[deltablack22]

Wrecks, whiskey and women... What else could a redneck want from a day at the track? Its a beautiful thing -

 

[pbienkiewi]

also add suntan lotion. Don't want to be caught on the bleachers in shorts and a Tee shirt. I learned the hard way the first time last year. ME, I don't need SUNTAN loation. I am a real man! GGGGrrrr.... Man did I get burnt. We just went 6/1/07 to Louden, The father inlaws brother and nephew went. His nephew wore shorts and a tee shirt. I told him and warned him. Boy O'h Boy did he pay after that race.

 

[renogaw]

yea, its definitely a different experience in person. if you ever get the chance to go hang out with 100,000+ people, all drinking and partying, and very little police needed, its a great thing.
as for on tv, its a good way to put yourself to sleep on the couch

 

[happyvac]

Okay. I guess the general consensus is that it's better live. I might try and see one someday, I guess.

 

[reefraff]

It's like Hockey, if you dont understand whats going on it's only fum to watch for the fights (wrecks) Lots of people only watch the Daytona 500 which is the first race of the season. Thats like watching the first game of the season and that's all.

 

[scotts]

First of all you have to like cars, at least a little bit. But more importantly is knowing the drivers, otherwise you are just watching bright billboards doing circles. For instance last night as they came to the line it was not the 26 car racing the 2 car, it was Jamie McMurray, who won his second race ever and gave one of the best winners circle interviews ever, versus Kyle Busch, the talented yet whiney nothing is ever my fault brat. Once you know the drivers you will see who brought the right car and who hit the set up right, who missed the set up, who is starting the race good and satys good, who starts off bad but improves their car and has a good finish, who may not have a good car but will steal a win on gas mileage. As I have told my wife, it can be like a soap opera.
One way to look at it is say you like baseball. You would be more interested in watching a game where you know the teams as opposed to watching the Ventura County Cardinals versus the Santa Barbara County Seagulls.
BTW my wife HATES Tony Stewart.

 

[reefraff]

"versus Kyle Busch, the talented yet whiney nothing is ever my fault brat"
You are a fan aren't you.

The kid actually had a gripe last night, his "team mates" left him out to dry.

 

[huskychasrs]

Its true you have to be a car person to "Get it". It's been said in my family I knew how to change a tire before I could spell my own name. So I get it!

 

[scotts]

RR, They also showed during the race Kyle was racing Jimmie pretty hard. Then when someone was racing him just as hard he got upset about it. But then he got his attitude from his brother.

 

[pontius]

even on tv, it is MUCH more than just driving in circles. it takes good pit strategy and the team must be perfect when the car comes in to pit and they must pit at the right time. it also takes a lot of research, the teams that don't research the different tracks or the new cars, etc (like, say, Petty Enterprises) don't win. it also takes a lot of luck as you can be taken out at no fault of your own or a caution can come out just after you've pitted. I usually don't watch an entire race, but I check in and out and usually try to catch the end.
NASCAR used to be so great because all the drivers were working class and many started racing because of bootlegging. now, it's more about who came from families who had enough money to put them into racing. Earnhardt Jr is a VERY mediocre driver. he used to race at a local track here (against mostly local drivers) and he NEVER won. but he gets into NASCAR because of his name and gets quality equipment because of his father. now that he's going to Hendrick Motors, he'll be as dominate as anybody and probably win at least 5 races a year (Hendricks has the best motors and the new cars use them).

 

[pbienkiewi]

Originally Posted by Scotts
First of all you have to like cars, at least a little bit. But more importantly is knowing the drivers, otherwise you are just watching bright billboards doing circles. For instance last night as they came to the line it was not the 26 car racing the 2 car, it was Jamie McMurray, who won his second race ever and gave one of the best winners circle interviews ever, versus Kyle Busch, the talented yet whiney nothing is ever my fault brat. Once you know the drivers you will see who brought the right car and who hit the set up right, who missed the set up, who is starting the race good and satys good, who starts off bad but improves their car and has a good finish, who may not have a good car but will steal a win on gas mileage. As I have told my wife, it can be like a soap opera.
One way to look at it is say you like baseball. You would be more interested in watching a game where you know the teams as opposed to watching the Ventura County Cardinals versus the Santa Barbara County Seagulls.
BTW my wife HATES Tony Stewart.

Haaaaaaa....... I have seen that 20HD car hit the wall pretty hard. Funny as hell......... It was to to bad

 

[sprang]

Wouldn't it be cool to turn cars back to true stock cars, and let the drivers race it out like the ol' days! Before the liquid cooled suits! What will they think of next?