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NASCAR looking for suggestions on how to make the racing better, in Tuesday meetings with Cup teams
NASCAR's Mike Helton: the Boss. And this dog will bite (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
By Mike Mulhern
mikemulhern.net
CONCORD, N.C.
The shape of Tuesday's big meeting between NASCAR officials and Sprint Cup teams is slowly becoming clearer: And it is now sizing up as a day-long series of small meetings, rather than any full townhall scene.
Each of NASCAR's top Cup operations will have its own individual face-to-face with NASCAR executives, to discuss ideas and raise suggestions about what NASCAR could do to make Cup racing more compelling – for better TV ratings and for better ticket sales.
All Cup team owners and their drivers are expected to attend the sessions at NASCAR's nearby R&D center.
And TV cameras and media are expected to camp outside the center for post-meeting interviews….though it's unlikely that any of the participants will willing to offer much insight on-the-record.
No specific agenda items have been listed, but one hot topic is expected to be the car-of-tomorrow, which has become an expensive engineering problem for crews, particularly small teams without the hefty engineering and computer expertise.
The Carl Edwards-Brad Keselowski-Ryan Newman crash at Talladega could be another issue. NASCAR has said little about what it might want to do to deal with that issue of flying race cars, though Newman himself has said several times it is a major issue that needs to be attacked.
The Indianapolis Brickyard 400 race, July 26th, may be another issue for discussion, because that track's slightly-grooved surface has been a cheese-grater for NASCAR tires, despite numerous tests by Goodyear. A significant part of the problem is that stock cars tend to skate through the tight corners, unlike Indy-cars, which have much more aerodynamic downforce and can thus better grip the track. Lightening NASCAR stockers is one possibility that has been raised; however it would take a significant drop in weight to make any significant difference, and the 25-pound cut so far proposed is unlikely to make much difference. Changing the aerodynamics of the nose of these stockers has been proposed too, even to the point of lengthening the nose, and/or altering the chassis suspension enough to allow the cars to 'travel' with shocks and springs.
Other items that teams may well bring up: the costs of racing, though one team manager, only half-jokingly, said "If NASCAR were going to be doing any serious talking here about cutting costs, they wouldn't have invited drivers."
Typically when NASCAR invites drivers to a meeting, the gist of it is a basic 'shut up and drive,' as last summer at Michigan, or to discuss safety issues, such as at Richmond two years ago, when drivers were herded out of the track for a 'secret' meeting.
Driver salaries are a large part of a major team's operation budget. For example, the two most popular drivers in the sport, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., made more than $30 million each last season.
NASCAR's testing ban may also be a topic. The big teams may well be in favor of keeping that ban, because it has effectively locked in their edge. But then smaller teams would likely be hard-pressed to keep up financially if NASCAR – as it had planned last summer – were to open up testing.
However, the timing of these meetings may be somewhat suspect – because Fox' David Hill, head of that network's sport operations, has according to sources been doing his own informal but detailed interviews with various teams and drivers. Hill, though he might publicly deny it, is reported to have taken some of the ideas raised in those discussions to NASCAR execs himself.
Fox TV's NASCAR ratings have been in a slump this season, down more than 10 percent.
Those sluggish ratings not only make it more difficult for TV network salesmen to get good advertising dollars, the ratings issue also worries team owners who have to negotiate sponsorships.
Now when I'm looking for good advice, this is the first man I go to -- Jeff Burton (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
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Double file restarts
Lots they can do to make it better
But a simple thing, is Double file restarts, costs nothing, and lets the leaders race, without getting trapped behind lapped cars
Not all Hotels in Dover are FAN FRIENDLY!
I WAS planning on attending the upcoming race in Dover next week-end, being a season ticket holder for years however, with the price of gas and especially hotels, the tickets will be sold if we can sell them. The track has a list of hotels they recommened due to a "Fan-friendly" agreement. Some have lowered the minimum night stay to 2 nights but some of the rates that go along with that were $189 & $225 PER NIGHT plus tax. Add the 2 or 3 night minimum to that and well, I just assumed rates would be less than that especially for families that want to attend. The hotel expense is larger that the tickets sometimes. One hotel had availability and the track website stated this one hotel had a 2 night minimum stay. Well, guess what happened when I called. Sure, they had rooms available but you had to stay 3 nights minimum or not at all. Losing the money on the tickets is not as bad as paying almost triple or more for a hotel.
Charles
They are talking to the wrong crowd, if they are going to make racing better!
These owners and drivers are part of the problem, the team owners like the rules that save them money, such as the car of tomorrow! Same spec engine, etc! ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE MAKING IT BORING!
NASCAR needs to hold meeting with "Fans" for ideas to make racing better! These things will not be cheap, do away with "look alike cars",make the raceday more important, pay more points or money for laps led at each race! Something to create excitement not to save a team money!More uniform rules, and do away with some of the rules, Nascar is like the government sometimes to many rules and regulations that get in the way of racing! Yellow line at Daytona and Talledaga etc!
Yes NASCAR has a problem and it is trying to be to "polical correct" what made racing was it was an honest sport run by racers and owners with passion, now it is run by Big Business, used to when a car was so dominate you used to wonder what was under the hood, a lot of times other car owners would protest and check engine out in the open, this created transparecy, now you wonder when you see a car domninate, what Nascar did to help let this car win!
They Already Know How To Make It Better
NASCAR and everyone involved already know the formula for the sport's best racing - it's the restrictor plate-roof blade-high downforce formula, a formula that has consistently proven itself year after year. Yet it seems NASCAR either wants to please too many people to put its foot down or is paralyzed by computer simulations of what MIGHT go wrong - that reported sim of a plated Fontana showing "it won't work" needs to be explored because it seems some bogus premises went into the sim to make the result that came.
There is certainly an angle of John Darby involved, for since Darby became Winston Cup's top cop the rules packages that have been put in have done everything wrong and seem to be based on a fraudulent premise - every change (and the combination of changes) has been to take away downforce, and the result has not worked.
The COT design certainly needs to be abandoned - the long nose/flush airdam/chopped roofline/larger blade spoiler package of before was fundamentally more sound.
suggestions
how about a few more road course races, i know that a bunch of the more seasoned fans dont like the road races, but you have to give up some respect for the drivers when they spend all year turning left, and then twice a year they turn right and left, woah! how about road america, or road atlanta, sebring, or the infield of daytona would be effin awesome! i wish there were a way to get this all the way to mike helton to review and atleast think about, i know dale sr. would be all for it. if its a race and someone thinks they are better than dale sr. i know he'd be there to give anyone a run for their money. plus it shakes things up a bit in the points. people dont finish where they normally would if suppose they were on a 1.5 mile oval as apposed to being on a 12-15 turn track. this could even bring in more fans, which would be more money. money for sponsors, money for broadcasters, money for nascar, money for mechandisers. money money money, it could even convince a few more of the indy or f1 guys, and girls to convert over to nascar. race in japan again, that was cool that one year they did it, i think jr. n sr. finsihed one two didnt they? i dunno i could be wrong but i know sr. won.
I agree -- though David Poole
I agree -- though David Poole would say I'm crazy -- that NASCAR could use a couple more road course races -- I thought the action in Mexico City was pretty darned good, all in all. And Montreal is just a no-brainer (except don't try to run it in the rain). Not so sure about keeping Watkins Glen on the schedule though, because there's no there there. And my dream would be for NASCAR and Toyota to figure out a way to put NASCAR stockers in the Long Beach Grand Prix course -- if LA won't come to Fontana, let's take NASCAR to downtown LA. Bill France Jr. had Richard Childress build a special L-R (left-right) car when he wanted to put the series in at the Glen but didn't know if these heavy stockers would work there. Maybe we could try something like that again. I know street races are typically yo-yo things, but Monaco seems to make for a pretty good F1 show. Let's have Juan Pablo Montoya redesign Long Beach (and Sonoma) for NASCAR.
And, uh, Shanghai anyone?
Restrictor Plate Racing
I think the new rules that were in place at Talladega failed the drivers, the TV audience and the fans in the stands. It was boring. I have a suggestion that is a little on the aggressive side of a fix but I truly believe this to be the best fix for getting rid of restrictor plate racing.
On the back stretch at Daytona and Talladega, put in a chicane that will slow the cars to approximately pit road speed. Take the restrictor plate off and let them have at it. Cost is minimal and it should be a much more entertaining race for everyone. I'm sure the driver's would welcome it as it has to be boring for them driving around in a 190 mph parade. It would offer true passing opportunities by out-breaking an opponent and will slow the cars enough that the overall lap speed would be reduced significantly.
Restrictor plate racing is horrible. Something has to be done to get rid of the restrictor plates and chicanes are a viable option in my opinion.
rear wing spoiler
instead of changing back to the old style spoiler why not make the wing hinged in the front so when the car goes backwards it would release with a pre loaded latch that releases when there is a certain amount of uplift on the wing and flip forward thus reversing its lift of the rear of the car and actually force the rear down. and when the car pits just flip it back and latch it back down. this could be easily designed without being a rocket scientist. so here ryan newman heres your engineering solution to your problen with rear car lift in reverse. i like the wing better than a fixed spoiler myself.
Dual Fuel Take-up Lines?
Does Nascar have a prohibition against having an additional fuel take-up line on the fuel cell? If not, I suggest that a second fuel take-up line be installed on the left side of the cell. It makes sense to have the primary take-up line on the right side, but for those occasions when the cars are running under caution with low fuel, it seems it would be a worthwhile investment to have another take-up line on the left side. Harold Fuller
BETTER TRACK DESIGN
Isn't it about time for a better race track design? Too many cautions and too many green flag commercials without utilizing technology such as used by indy car racing allowing the viewer to monitor the race while commercials are being aired, and too many pit stops in general are the biggest roadblocks to building a larger fan base. They should consider developing a new race track design like an over-under super 8 speedway with safer barriers flaring into the underpass entrance. A track such as this would promote higher speeds (probably 220+mph on a 2 to 2 1/2 mile track) and more even tire wear. Also the safer this sport is the better so come on guys, isn't it about time to copy indy car technology and eliminate the jack man???? Just one more suggestion on this track design -- grooved concrete track much like freeways in a number of US cities so it would take more than a light shower to postpone or cancel a race.
okay, i'm intrigued. what
okay, i'm intrigued. what exactly are you talking about? give me some specifics. i agree tv doesnt have a clue about how to cover a race. surprising, since mike well, the tnt guy, is the best i've ever seen. and what do you think about 200 at daytona next february? i think that might be good for the sport. 195...200...what's the difference...if they're going 205 into the first turn at california and michigan anyway....the jackman? well, i'm old school; that's okay for me. and groove concrete...well, they've got that at indy, and its so abrasive they can hardly build a tire for it. but maybe you've got something about rain. nascar needs a better rain game plan....other than those zany rain tires....
oh, and one other
oh, and one other thing....i'm okay with anons....but just let me know where you're calling from. maybe my sponsors will be interested (and good ad space is still available on mikemulhern.net! lol -- we're not disney/abc or fox...we need all the help we can get).
thanks.
Back in the day Hay Ride
What if the people who control NASCAR held an old school race? Keeping all the safety aspects of the new cars but build a car like what the old school guys had to use back in the day. Replace IROC with OLDROC. Why not let the new up and comers see what it was like. There are a few old school guys that can relate,very few. NASCAR and all their money could do this and still have enough money left over to buy hot dogs and milk to feed the kids.
I think it would be an incredible media event and put the past in with the future. Picture this, some driver in his early twenties driving a ,77 to 84 NASCAR ride running with the NASCAR seniors. Maybe I have over dosed on Geritol but it sounds like it would be a good mid season brake and a hell of a lot fun. Regards mbzfxr@cox.net
heck, it wouldn't take much:
heck, it wouldn't take much: just unhook the power steering and see what these guys can do. lmao! when nascar okayed power steering it changed the sport.
Nationwide vs. Sprint Cup
I've been talking to alot of NASCAR fans and we all agree that the Nationwide Series just open to up and coming drivers. Rookies in the cup series should be allowed to drive both Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series thier first two yrs. Allowing Veteran Cup drivers to drive in both races is like the NFL team going back and playing the college level and competing for the National Championship. I'm not saying they can't race in the Nationwide just not for the points championship. The money they can race for. I love NASCAR and I would like to see competion between the up and coming drivers. Thank You, Jay
If you want better racing get rid of the CHASE
The championship should be for prestige and not all the money. Nascar wants to have a playoff system like other sports and tries to emulate this, WHY? In MLB winning the World Series is not worth much money and niether is the Super Bowl. Forget the playoff thing in racing doesn't work! Here is a suggestion that will get the fans back into it "MAKE WINNING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING" weekly. Take all of that money that goes to the top 13 in the CHASE and put it in the purse each week with the bulk going to the winner. Also make the points differance between first and second big enough that they all want to win each week, not just have a good points day. What made NASCAR so big was the guys who wanted to win no matter what "CHECKERS OR WRECKERS". The older guys ran that way because if they didn't than they didn't eat that week.
making it better
Nascar has a similar problem as golf. Golf has a lot of guys on the PGA Tour that can make a very good living, win/loose or draw. People are content in finishing 12th place because overall out of the 43 that start, finishing in the top 1/3rd is, okay.
Nascar fans don't agree. Top 5 or better means you did very good, all else, well thanks for the noise and who cares if it was 8th or 9th. Awarding points for ALL positions is kinda silly. I am not a big F1 fan since Mario days, but they have I think top 6 drivers gets points and the rest, it is not giving a point to.
So NASCAR have the fans pick where their interest levels drops. Top 10, Top 15, Top 20 (please not higher than that). Give points to those finishing up there and not all the way down to the last position. i.e. Who really had a better season, or better yet who really was talked about more this year? Matt K. with I think 5 top 5's and no first nor poles or Juan with 1 win and 2 poles with same top 5's and more top 10's. Or try Jamie which I think many fans can't believe he is not in the Chase with 2 wins, 3 poles and more top 5's.
Eliminate mediocrity, and give us the best. We get tired seeing someone drive around the track on 7 cylinders just to get a few more points
You want Popularity Back?
NASCAR in it's Prime consisted of "Southern Gentlemen" "Rednecks" Your prime audience still today and always will be the Regular Hard working Person.
No body wants to see these "Nerdy Kids" out there driving Stock Cars.
Where are the Harry Gants, Allisons, Waltrips, Pettys, good ole boys that came up from the tough tracks, that ain't afraid to whip some butt and tell it like it is.
The point crap doesn't matter, NASCAR was our reality show way back when and now it's just a bunch of pretty boys, in fancy suits driving in circles.
Recruit some of those dirty, scruffy, hard heads from the local dirt and asphalt tracks that ain't got a penny to their name, racing for a few hundred dollars a weekend. It's not about the money to those folk, they love the sport, the drama, and the speed.
Just who we need back in the sport.
you might just have it right,
you might just have it right, dude: i remember when buddy baker told me it wasn't the ability to swing a jackhandle that was key to escaping some infield melee but rather knowing where the big fire extinguisher was and how to wield that in self-defense (lol). and i remember well jimmy spencer explaining to me the finer points of short-track defensive tactics when confronted by some angry rivals. and remember ol' DW inviting everyone to have at it out in the Big-K parking lot? Ah, the good ol' days. somehow i think that kevin harvick would be well suited to run with those guys. he learned a few tricks out in bakersfield......
spoilers
why not run a clear spoiler in the rear
Sponsor advice
Being an avid NASCAR fan and also an old modified driver when NASCAR was in its infancy (1953-1957) may I suggest the following to assist the teams in acquiring sponsors.
Why not have the race commentators do the following for each and every race.
First of all do away with the theory that only certain drivers are worthy of being mentioned. Let's mention them all in the following manner;
Instead of simply saying the selected drivers names that seem to be announcers favorites why don't yopu mention them as;
Jimmy Johnson driving the 48 Lowes Impals
Joey Logano driving the Home Depot Toyota
and so forth
Aren't the other drivers and there sponsors worthy of being mentioned?
In today's economy all sponsors should be brought to the attention of not only the fans at the track but also the fans who watch the races on TV
Thank you
bump drafting
If you don't want bump drafting or two cars pushing each other, just make it so that they don't want to. An easy way to do that is to design the cars so that it damages aerodynamics if they do it. Such as, adding small rods or bars sticking up from the front of the front spoilers that would bend the spoilers upward if they bumped the back of another cars rear bumper. They wouldn't want to do that!
TRY SOMETHING NEW NASCAR!!
Fans would like to see something different ocasionally,try this one race per year and watch the bleachers fill up. Take a track like daytona (in july) and run the cars the opposite direction. They can pit as well from the right side with minimal cost to the teams. This will probably acvhieve the result your trying to accomplish splitting up the two car tandem as well. It would be real interesting to see the drivers adapt. If not at daytona do this at a 1 1/2 mile track and watch how much new interest this peaks.
ps: for this great idea you could send me some 500 fanzone tickets , haha
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