Official NASCAR Thread

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Worst case scenario always centers on the tires. The body/frame is of no concern - just like we saw yesterday. The right hit can send a tire hundreds of yards in distance. So - in theory, a tire can travel far into the grandstands.
 
An engine block landing on me might be a bit concerning too BB :) But I understand your point. Really, any object when it's moving at 200 mph is lethal. They call it 'shrapnel'.
 
John, NASCAR is the most fan-friendly sport in the world. They take care of the fans in many ways. Just ask the young lady who had a busted jaw from the Talladega accident a couple of years ago. The last death at a race track came from a lightning strike after the race was over (Pocono, last year).

None have come from racing on the track - well, there was a fan at Daytona about five years ago who was doing the driving experience and died of a heart attack. Otherwise - none, zero, zip, nada.

Try other racing series like Indy, Cart, Grand Prix, NHRA, and Le Mans.

NASCAR is not perfect, but it is very safe when you look at what they have done and compare.
 
I know you know your stuff BB (as well as other folks in this thread). And it's great if NASCAR is the safest of the racing organizations. But that's really not the point. You can't 'mostly' prevent fan deaths. It may not be fair, it may not even be reasonable, and it most assuredly isn't easy. But serious fan injury or death must be prevented 100% of the time. Anything short of that, really, is unacceptable.

I doubt anyone in NASCAR leadership would disagree.
 
PR gimmick? She finished in the top 10, led a green flag lap, and took the pole. What part of that is a gimmick?
 
The race was pretty much a gimmick. It's the worst race I've ever seen and that goes back to the early 1960s. Next week is when real racing begins. It will take a break when the restrictor plates are on the schedule.
 
I don't know enough about racing to know what you mean by 'the race was a gimmick'. But isn't tshile correct - whatever the rules, they were in play for all the drivers, right? Seems like Danica Patrick is a real driver from what I can tell. Let's not be the sexist pigs our wives and girlfriends worry we might be :)
 
We'll visit this in a few weeks - you know, after some real racing is in the books.
 
I'm not sure why it's so hard to acknowledge she did a good job?

I mean - this was a sanctioned race, right?
 
Sanctioned? Yes. Racing? No.

If you enjoy the adult version of follow the leader, then this is your kind of race. I am so ready for the two car tandem to return. At least there was some passing and lead changes.

Other notes...

The 24 car passed inspection a short time ago - after FOUR tries. Sheeeesh. Also, does anyone recall when Knaus told JJ to do donuts in the grass after a race if he won (it happened pre-race and was caught on an open mic/camera) last year? How convenient was it that JJ did donuts in the grass after the race and tear his splitter apart?

#CriminalHendrickMotorsports
 
After the race in her interview she discussed the tactics she employed...she essentially said that if she got out of line, she'd have been lost in the shuffle. She was afraid to make a move or she'd end up in the back of the pack.
 
That's true and to be expected. Now that she knows, let's see what happens at Dega.

I think we know what the next few weeks will bring, but if she surprises, then I will believe - but not now.
 
To me, you can't bitch about her being a 'gimmick' and getting special attention, then refuse to acknowledge when she shows she can play with the big boys. She has no more to 'prove' in the coming weeks than any other driver of her experience level.
 
Back to the track safety issue, down here, fans go to a race meeting, ANY race meeting, with the knowledge of the dangers involved, and enter the circuit AT THEIR OWN RISK!

For any F1 fans, remember a few years back when a track official was killed after being struck by a stray tyre? This tyre did not fly over the wall, but squeezed itself through the gap in the fence the officials use so as to wave their flags. How can anyone predict such a freak incident like that?

Accidents happen, and accidents happen at tracks that have passed ALL safety requirements prior to the event, but when a major accident occurs and fans are injured, suddenly, the track is NOT safe! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you can't have it both ways.

BTW, I am watching the race now. Due to other TV commitments (the golf from Arizona), we never got the race live, so I have no idea of the results, so thanks to all for the spoilers.
 
Hehehe, ok. But seriously, let's see where we are in a few weeks. I remember the Redskins starting 7-1 in 1996, but everyone knew they were not a 7-1 team. Several weeks later, they miss the playoffs and win a total of eight games.
 
I've been a vocal critic, at least of the attention Danica has gotten. Until now, I believed it was unwarranted, if not undeserved. I don't want drivers highlighted because of their gender, I want them highlighted because of their ability...and success.

Today was a massively successful day for Danica. She ran top-5 all day long, and finished top-10. And despite her previous experience in Indy, she is a rookie.

I don't care what a driver looks like, what kind of plumbing they have, or where they came from. If, as a rookie, you have a day like she did in the Daytona 500, you become a legitimate NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver.

Does she have to back it up? Certainly. But if she's the talk of the town this week, is it warranted? Damned right it is.
 
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