DrMotorcity
Don Trump calls me Pornography Man
Contra-Nascar: The official “other side of the story” thread
Replies to this thread are welcome from parties from both sides of the discussion (excepting those who persistently have flowers in their hair).
Can there possibly be any other popular and well-promoted competitive event of which the outcome is as blatantly contrived as this phenomenon known as “Nascar?” (I’m not shouting) I don’t think so.
Just some of the issues regarding this questionable “activity” that merits our discussion:
Just exactly what criteria is the “Nascar” point-system based upon? Or is it in all actuality merely a prescribed means to enhance the allure of the “sport” by arbitrarily inflating the statistical esteem of the performers (meaning the drivers, and more specifically, those whom are at any given time are more so inclined to be in the veneration of the public than perhaps some of their lesser-known colleagues (fodder is another word), and therefore are worthy of being exploited for their market value at the present time?
***An example: Dale Earnhardt Jr., following the untimely demise of his father). [Point system…that seems to be matter of contention these days that knows not the limitations of the race-track
]
Speaking of Dale Jr., hasn't he rather lost some of his market-value intrigue in the past year or so?
What exactly are the requirements that must be met before a vehicle can be classified as a “stock car?” (at one time this term had some actual meaning)
***An example: For the 1969 model year, Dodge built 505 Charger Daytonas, a vehicle based heavily on their popular Charger series, in order to compete at the Daytona 500, (and of which were also made available for purchase by the general public). I have to say that with the current crop of so-called “stock” cars in the Nascar inventory, other than the basic unitized body shell of the vehicle, there is not one bolt, not one grommet, not one section of wiring that is shared with the comparably named model vehicle available for sale to the public. For that matter, other than the obvious physical disparities between the few models of “stock” cars driven by the various race “teams,” I would say that every single one of the vehicles that compete in these “competitions” are completely identical from a mechanical aspect, meaning drive train, steering and braking systems, fuel delivery systems, tires, everything. If anyone can evidence to challenge this assertion, I would greatly be interested to hear about it.
Throughout the course of the “season,” as they call it, invariably there are some incidents where the vehicle maintenance crews are fined, suspended, sanctioned, etc., by the “governing commission” or what ever for some ersatz “infractions” of the “rules” regarding equipment or adjustments made to the vehicle by these crews. Is this nothing more than a blatant means to garner some press time for their self-important industry with these over-blown revelations of those conspiring to make gains on the competitive edge?
***One example: last “season” there was some dispute as to whether the proper type of tires suitable for the upcoming competition were being provided to the race teams, and of course, it made the news. If the tire manufactures haven’t figured it out by now, just what kind of tires the mighty “Nascar” machine needs each weekend, I have to say they’ve got bigger problems than any of us had ever thought. A besides, these tires are not merely picked off the rack and shipped down to the respective track, they are all custom made for the particular class of vehicles, and maybe even so for the particular track surface as well. Be serious!
***Another example: again, last season, one crew of mechanics or perhaps only the crew chief himself, was reprimanded and maybe fined when upon the inspection of the inside of the trunk of the respective vehicle in his charge, it was discovered by the agents of the “governing commission” that some alteration to the rear suspension had been obviously made in the interest of gaining that elusive competitive edge. This discovery was made several days before the actual event! As an old saying goes, the most successful way to break the rules is to first know what they are in the first place, and in this case, that includes being cognizant of the inevitable and spurious vehicle “inspections” made by those authorized to do so, and if anyone of that particular “race crew” had any sincere, genuine interest of trying to gain a competitive edge through means inconsistent with the ordained rules, they should have possessed the good sense to know that this sleight-of-hand should have been implemented as close to the start of the race as possible, not two or three days before hand where they may be found out by the inspection teams working for the “governing commission.” Fire the crew chief, not for his improbity, but for being an idiot! Then again, inspectors working for the “governing commission” have to justify their existence, as does the commission itself, and the incident was reported in the press, wasn’t? Good job, all around, perhaps we should say.
There is a war on. “No blood for oil,” so goes the rallying cry for peace, passivity, and provincialism. Anyone have any idea as to how much refined fossil fuel is needlessly expended every weekend by 43 “stock” cars circling about a racetrack in this All-American “sporting” event? Does anybody care? How ‘bout the soldier stationed in the Persian Gulf scraping the sand out of his night-vision goggles after writing what may be his final letter home, who takes intermittent glances at the All-American “event” on the laptop screen? Is this why he is here? Is this what it is all about for him? Again, does anyone care?
“Nascar: Is it a sport?” we ask, paraphrasing a recently submitted thread to this discussion board. Being that in my view, a prominent aspect that determines what is a “sport,” as opposed to being an “activity,” or “event,” is whether or not the outcome of this “competition” is suitable to be wagered upon. Maybe it’s me, but I don’t ever recall seeing in any of the local newspapers offering the latest “line,” point-spread, etc., of the upcoming “Nascar” event. Gambling, too, is a business, and maybe one that can comfortably be based upon the laws of probabilities within a relatively safe margin. But nobody bets on plays, motion pictures, television programs, and books, now do they? Better yet: professional wrestling: anyone bet on a recent pro-wrestling match lately? Try this: if there is a script, it’s not a sport. “Nascar,” in my opinion, has a script.
We see the cars, we see the line of products advertised, and we buy those products. “Nascar,” the All-American “activity (remember, it is not a sport!). All-American. Yes, indeed, it is an All-American “activity,” and had it been around two hundred and thirty years ago, its “performers” would all be of the pink-skinned, powdered-wig, short-pants wearing variety, and quite obviously, their descendants are those whom we regale each and every weekend as they chase each other around the track for no particular reason. All-American.
Latino, African, Asian, even native Americans and…women,, how are they represented at this “All-American” non-sport? How does the average person of any of the above mentioned minority groups feel as they do their shopping a Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Subway, etc., and make their purchases of motor oil, laundry detergent, auto parts, building supplies, etc., knowing that some percentage of their dollars turned over at the register are going to promote an “activity” that decidedly excludes them from participation at its most exalted level? We’re not talking about those who clean the washrooms and sweep the stands afterwards. Not that I’m for aiding the enemy, but maybe what “Nascar” has for its hole-card when one day their “activity” begins a slight decline in favor is to reach for a new audience with a sensational, and--heavily publicized--announcement presenting their version of “Jackie Robinson.” Any idea who drives car #42?
Nascar: Use it in a sentence.
Replies to this thread are welcome from parties from both sides of the discussion (excepting those who persistently have flowers in their hair).
Can there possibly be any other popular and well-promoted competitive event of which the outcome is as blatantly contrived as this phenomenon known as “Nascar?” (I’m not shouting) I don’t think so.
Just some of the issues regarding this questionable “activity” that merits our discussion:
Just exactly what criteria is the “Nascar” point-system based upon? Or is it in all actuality merely a prescribed means to enhance the allure of the “sport” by arbitrarily inflating the statistical esteem of the performers (meaning the drivers, and more specifically, those whom are at any given time are more so inclined to be in the veneration of the public than perhaps some of their lesser-known colleagues (fodder is another word), and therefore are worthy of being exploited for their market value at the present time?
***An example: Dale Earnhardt Jr., following the untimely demise of his father). [Point system…that seems to be matter of contention these days that knows not the limitations of the race-track
]Speaking of Dale Jr., hasn't he rather lost some of his market-value intrigue in the past year or so?
What exactly are the requirements that must be met before a vehicle can be classified as a “stock car?” (at one time this term had some actual meaning)
***An example: For the 1969 model year, Dodge built 505 Charger Daytonas, a vehicle based heavily on their popular Charger series, in order to compete at the Daytona 500, (and of which were also made available for purchase by the general public). I have to say that with the current crop of so-called “stock” cars in the Nascar inventory, other than the basic unitized body shell of the vehicle, there is not one bolt, not one grommet, not one section of wiring that is shared with the comparably named model vehicle available for sale to the public. For that matter, other than the obvious physical disparities between the few models of “stock” cars driven by the various race “teams,” I would say that every single one of the vehicles that compete in these “competitions” are completely identical from a mechanical aspect, meaning drive train, steering and braking systems, fuel delivery systems, tires, everything. If anyone can evidence to challenge this assertion, I would greatly be interested to hear about it.
Throughout the course of the “season,” as they call it, invariably there are some incidents where the vehicle maintenance crews are fined, suspended, sanctioned, etc., by the “governing commission” or what ever for some ersatz “infractions” of the “rules” regarding equipment or adjustments made to the vehicle by these crews. Is this nothing more than a blatant means to garner some press time for their self-important industry with these over-blown revelations of those conspiring to make gains on the competitive edge?
***One example: last “season” there was some dispute as to whether the proper type of tires suitable for the upcoming competition were being provided to the race teams, and of course, it made the news. If the tire manufactures haven’t figured it out by now, just what kind of tires the mighty “Nascar” machine needs each weekend, I have to say they’ve got bigger problems than any of us had ever thought. A besides, these tires are not merely picked off the rack and shipped down to the respective track, they are all custom made for the particular class of vehicles, and maybe even so for the particular track surface as well. Be serious!
***Another example: again, last season, one crew of mechanics or perhaps only the crew chief himself, was reprimanded and maybe fined when upon the inspection of the inside of the trunk of the respective vehicle in his charge, it was discovered by the agents of the “governing commission” that some alteration to the rear suspension had been obviously made in the interest of gaining that elusive competitive edge. This discovery was made several days before the actual event! As an old saying goes, the most successful way to break the rules is to first know what they are in the first place, and in this case, that includes being cognizant of the inevitable and spurious vehicle “inspections” made by those authorized to do so, and if anyone of that particular “race crew” had any sincere, genuine interest of trying to gain a competitive edge through means inconsistent with the ordained rules, they should have possessed the good sense to know that this sleight-of-hand should have been implemented as close to the start of the race as possible, not two or three days before hand where they may be found out by the inspection teams working for the “governing commission.” Fire the crew chief, not for his improbity, but for being an idiot! Then again, inspectors working for the “governing commission” have to justify their existence, as does the commission itself, and the incident was reported in the press, wasn’t? Good job, all around, perhaps we should say.
There is a war on. “No blood for oil,” so goes the rallying cry for peace, passivity, and provincialism. Anyone have any idea as to how much refined fossil fuel is needlessly expended every weekend by 43 “stock” cars circling about a racetrack in this All-American “sporting” event? Does anybody care? How ‘bout the soldier stationed in the Persian Gulf scraping the sand out of his night-vision goggles after writing what may be his final letter home, who takes intermittent glances at the All-American “event” on the laptop screen? Is this why he is here? Is this what it is all about for him? Again, does anyone care?
“Nascar: Is it a sport?” we ask, paraphrasing a recently submitted thread to this discussion board. Being that in my view, a prominent aspect that determines what is a “sport,” as opposed to being an “activity,” or “event,” is whether or not the outcome of this “competition” is suitable to be wagered upon. Maybe it’s me, but I don’t ever recall seeing in any of the local newspapers offering the latest “line,” point-spread, etc., of the upcoming “Nascar” event. Gambling, too, is a business, and maybe one that can comfortably be based upon the laws of probabilities within a relatively safe margin. But nobody bets on plays, motion pictures, television programs, and books, now do they? Better yet: professional wrestling: anyone bet on a recent pro-wrestling match lately? Try this: if there is a script, it’s not a sport. “Nascar,” in my opinion, has a script.
We see the cars, we see the line of products advertised, and we buy those products. “Nascar,” the All-American “activity (remember, it is not a sport!). All-American. Yes, indeed, it is an All-American “activity,” and had it been around two hundred and thirty years ago, its “performers” would all be of the pink-skinned, powdered-wig, short-pants wearing variety, and quite obviously, their descendants are those whom we regale each and every weekend as they chase each other around the track for no particular reason. All-American.
Latino, African, Asian, even native Americans and…women,, how are they represented at this “All-American” non-sport? How does the average person of any of the above mentioned minority groups feel as they do their shopping a Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Subway, etc., and make their purchases of motor oil, laundry detergent, auto parts, building supplies, etc., knowing that some percentage of their dollars turned over at the register are going to promote an “activity” that decidedly excludes them from participation at its most exalted level? We’re not talking about those who clean the washrooms and sweep the stands afterwards. Not that I’m for aiding the enemy, but maybe what “Nascar” has for its hole-card when one day their “activity” begins a slight decline in favor is to reach for a new audience with a sensational, and--heavily publicized--announcement presenting their version of “Jackie Robinson.” Any idea who drives car #42?
Nascar: Use it in a sentence.
