I sat in front of the TV for most of the race, looking up in case there was some actual action. I knew that there were a few race drivers in the event today, Mark Martin being my favorite, with local heros Boris Said and J Johnson also being of interest. and JPMontoya, whom I have followed since Formula Atantic, IIFC. of great interest to me.
Anyhow, Mr Viagra did quite well and I hope that he'll be back next year.
It was quite interesding that, in this "Great American Race," there was only one car based on a US built model - the Toyota!
Depends on your point of view. I 'listened' on the radio as we were on the road... (No right wing talk shows on Sunday afternoon, and who knows where 'Air America' is ) You 'watched' (waiting for wrecks or hyper announcers mostly ).. The race, in general was somewhat generic, as plate racing is. It took the announcers and driver mistakes to add color and clash to the show (as usual) And then you go and troll the NG about Toyota (best finishing Toyota was
22nd), and then a shot at America (or an American pastime, you choose). And Mark Martin is not sponsored by Viagra any more (old news). (But I think you are right to root for the old guys ..) Being a curator at a museum, I thought you were supposed to be a keeper and dispenser of the facts? I have repeatedly thought about hitting the delete key with this, but it just bugs me what you toss out here. My only question is why? But that is your problem. Just be prepared for the replies. Jeff
I sat in front of the TV for most of the race, looking up in case
Maybe what Karl is getting at is that the Toyota (upon which the Camery race cars are supposedly based) is produced in the States and much, if not all, of the Ford, Chevy and Dodges cars (upon which their race cars are supposedly based) are built elsewhere. Of course, we all know that all the "race cars" are built right here in the U.S. (Mostly North Carolina I believe).
I too try to cheer for the "old guys" but its hard since my two favorites Mark Martin and Dale Jerrett stopped driving for Ford. Oh well, it has gotten rather boring for me anymore anyway, and with the new "formula" that is going to slowly take over I think it will get even more boring.
I say, run door slammers. Use the engines and drive trains, somewhat modified, that come with the cars. Heck, I can't even recognise what brand of car each is anymore anyway.
How long until other "foreign" cars will participate. How about Nissan? Or what about Mercedes? Just my two cents worth. Lately I have had lots of fun looking for information about the "good old days" of stock car racing. Some pretty cool stuff Joe Roberts
I too am a long time Mark Martin fan. If NASCAR threw the yellow caution flag when the final accident happened/started, two things would have happened - Mark would have won and a lot fewer cars would have wrecked. Sometimes NASCAR throws the yellow for a spin where nothing is hit and the car doesn't even stop and other times they throw the yellow for a small piece of soft debris. It seems like the yellow is used to control the outcome of the race (depending on who will be helped, like Jr. That brings up another thing. Why is he called Dale Jr. when his name is Ralph?).
I am less and less interested in NASCAR and I used to be a fanatic about it. The cars are all the same and have no resemblance to what you can buy - looks or drive train.
The comment about Camry production - Camry in Tenn., Charger & Monte Carlo in Canada, Fusion in Mexico.
I agree. I liked NASCAR MUCH better when the cars were pretty much as they came off the assembly line with their conservative mates. There was nothing like the sight of the '54 Hudson Hornets blowing away Olds 88s, etc. (oops! dated myself). Paul Johnson
My way of watching a race is to stop by the paddock and pick up the starting grid list, plunk myself down with that and the points list, pick a driver who is starting too far back from where the points list say he should be, then watch him climb thorugh the pack. This, I cannot do on TV as the camera shots don't allow it.The on;y similarity is that beer and sandwiches are consumed from the cooler as desired.
The Toyota comment was from what the announcers said. I was surprised. They mentioned the other (stock models) being from Canada and Mexico.
I knew the Mark Martin was no longer with Viagra, but I expect that there was no doubt as to whom I meant, so the connection worked. When Mark was is "real". racing (not show business, as Mr France, Senior proudly admitted it was - and no one outdoes NASCAR, I rooted for him and delighted in his win, just as I would have yesterday. (Hmmm, does that mean it's not right to call George Bush Snr President Bush?) Other favorites included local-boys Boris Said and JJ, as well as others who drive well on road courses. (They run from point A to point A, too, but have a more interesting and demanding route.) Up and Down, Left and Right, Day or Night, Rain or Shine )
Friday librarian, trying to help people do their research.)
Altho I know the seriousness of race, and the cars, I still found it a bit amusing that as these 200mph cars are racing past the finish line, there was one doing it on his roof. I guess he just had to be different. And yes, it was good to see him get out of the car without being harmed.
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