There's something wrong when my pal finds NASCAR boring

I telephoned my friend, ------ -------, yesterday afternoon as I was driving home from Mosport (see post below).

(Oh, I won’t put his name in here because, a) he’d get mad at me for reporting what he said and, b) other people would get mad at him for saying what he did.)

Anyway.

"Whatcha doin?’ I said.

"Falling asleep watching the Crapcar race," he said.

"Boring?" I asked.

"Uh-huh," he replied.

Now, my friend, -------- --------, is a racing fan. He’s also a racing driver. (The late Mosport owner, Harvey Hudes, once paid him the ultimate compliment by saying that -------- -------- "is the most exciting racing driver I’ve ever seen.")

So if ---------- ----------- says a car race is boring, then there’s something seriously wrong.

And yet, it’s kind of the way I’ve felt for some time about NASCAR.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments of excitement in NASCAR races. The starts are always great, the pits stops can be spectacular, the wrecks – well, there is a certain attraction. But after the start, and between the pit stops, it can really be mind-numbing watching those cars go ‘round-and-’round, ‘round-and-‘round, ‘round-and-‘round’ ad nauseum.

F1 races are two hours or less. So are Indy car races except for the Indy 500. NASCAR has three big races (the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis) and the remaining 33 are, for the most part, just way too long. They could easily be shortened and still retain everything that makes NASCAR great.

If they cut most of them back to 2 or 2-1/2 hours, I guarantee you that when I next call my friend ------ -------, he’s going to say: "Not now! I’m watching a really exciting NASCAR race."

Well, maybe not that – but you get my drift.

For the record (because I didn’t see the race): Tony Stewart won the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at Kansas Speedway yesterday, with Jeff Gordon second and Greg Biffle third. Nine of the top 10 finishing cars were driven by "Chasers." In the standings, after three of 10 playoff races, Mark Martin still leads, with Jimmie Johnson second and Juan Pablo Montoya third.

The series now goes to California next Sunday for a 500-mile race and I betcha ---------- --------- can hardly wait to fall asleep watching that one.

Interesting: Bruce Martin is reporting on sportsillustrated.cnn.com that Danica Patrick may start her stock car apprenticeship next season with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Nationwide team. The source? Little E’s Cup boss, Rick Hendrick.

Martin says her first season will likely consist of five races, as her Indy car contract with Michael Andretti restricts the amount of racing she can do elsewhere.

Comments

[Tri2win]

I would much rather watch 3 - 50 lap NASCAR races, high point cars starting at the back, than one 150. Whether it's Stewart, Gordon or Busch, they've all learned to stay out of trouble and follow the leader during the mid laps, choo-choo style, when finally in the last 40 or so a race will break out.
Will it happen - with TV ads, concessions and network time all converting into huge bucks?
Sure, about the same time that Bettman will cuddle up to Balsillie and offer him an NHL franchise...

[dj]

More boring then Indy Light race?

[Haywood Jablome]

If you want to kill the ticket sales completely then shorten the races. I know I'll never fight all that traffic, pay $100 a ticket, to see a shorter race.

If you don't like it watch something else, like local short track racing. Or better yet, learn how to work a DvD recorder and fast forward button.

[steve humphrey]

i'm sick of the broadcasting hype, especially the likes of darrell waltrip. way too commercial also, as if nascar fans are stupid and blind to the relentless marketeering. i'm so glad that football is on now. just curious, ever drive a super at thompson? great track!