Quote:
Originally Posted by BassDawg
Except for the Gearheads and FOX cramming this sport down our throats for the last 5-6 years, does anybody else think that these guys are prima donna wannabe atheletes? I fail to see the fascination. I think that you, me, or Joe Burger King could drive these cars quite effectively with some training and years in the driver's seat, but how many of us can hit a Major League curve ball or drop a double/double on the Cavs at the Garden? It seems very similar to a thoroughbred jockey, imho. The horse/car and crew do most of the work and the jockey/driver gets ALL the glory.
i'm with the good Professor and Mr Carlin on this one, it ain't racing unless bumpers are flying and paint is getting scraped off of somebody's side!!
All joking aside, what they do is nerve wracking and a huge adrenylin NUTT. Still, how hard is it to turn left all day and fly down those perfect tracs?
HEY!! I commute to and from Boston, everyday  . |
You couldn't be any more wrong.
Fox and Gearheads ramming it down our throats,not really.The entire Cup season has been on cable for close to 20yrs and the reason the networks have picked up on it in the last 10yrs was because they found people were flocking in huge numbers on Sunday afternoons to cable networks like the old Nashville Network etc.It ain't being rammed down our throats,the networks are giving the fans what they want.
Try sitting in a 130 degree plus car for 500 miles.It ain't easy.And no the average shmoe can't do this with just a few years of seat time.And just like all other sports these guys have been doing it since Kindergarten.Go Karts/T-ball/PeeWees it all starts at a very young age.
As far as being prima donnas goes it simply shows you've seen one to many Dale Jr. Wrangler Jeans commercials.Like anyone in football/baseball etc. these guys get endorsements because they're well known.And yes the crew chiefs and crews get their due.I'm sure in baseball the 3rd base coach gets tons of glory or in football the special teams coach gets carried on the shoulders of the players after a win.Lets be realistic its the players or racing's case the drivers that get the most attention.
How hard is it to turn left all day?Very hard when its hot as hell,your car is loose or tight and just won't turn without serious effort on the wheel from the driver and doing it while surrounded by 42 other cars.Btw Watkins Glen and Sears Point are road courses with up to 11 turns both left and right.
Perfect tracks?You've obviously have never walked on of these tracks.They're far from perfect.Some are downright scary,Darlington's a perfect example being ultra abrasive,try turning left after putting 30+ laps on those tires .Daytona has many bumps and cracks and when hitting those little bumps and cracks in a Draft close to 200mph they feel more like mountains and valleys.Bristol is a 1/2 mile bowl with 38degree banking,try turning left in a soup bowl surrounded by 42 cars!
As far as Carlin goes:the only thing that weanie ever did that was remotely entertaining was Rufus...and that ain't sayin much
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I've said my piece.
On to the race.