2013 NASCAR Thread

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Blitz24
No I won't say Sprint Cup and I'd rather say Winston Cup because that's where I remember the sport being at its best and now its too ridiculously commercial.
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I just call it Cup, knowing full well that all it takes is the next highest bidder and it'll become that series.
 
I can't believe I once used to think that the name "Busch Series" came from the Busch brothers...
 
Lionheart2113
He is a true wheel man that's for sure. Not my favorite driver, but gotta give credit where it's due.
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Yeah same here. He is an amazing driver but I wish he sometimes had a better attitude on things. I think part of it for me was him leaving Hendrick.
 
NASCAR has decided to do a half-assed job trying to stop start and parks.

NASCAR to reallocate prize money: NASCAR will reallocate prize money from the last five spots in the field this season in an attempt to make it less profitable for teams to start and park. "We moved prize money higher in the purse, so if someone's intent is solely to run a lap or two and park, the revenue stream shrinks,'' NASCAR president Mike Helton said Tuesday during an "Autoweek" panel discussion in Detroit. According to NASCAR, each position from 43rd through 39th will receive $4,000 less for each position. For example, 39th will receive $4,000 less than 38th, 40th $4,000 less than 39th, etc. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp emphasized this is not a reduction in purses, that the overall prize money in 2013 will increase slightly. He said the money taken away from the last five spots will be redistributed "throughout the remainder of the field.''(ESPN)(2-6-2013)
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If they really wanted to stop it they would make it so you had to at least run 25% of the race to get anything.
 
Justin
NASCAR has decided to do a half-assed job trying to stop start and parks.



If they really wanted to stop it they would make it so you had to at least run 25% of the race to get anything.
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Agreed here. It gets really frustrating watching Joe Needmecheck and friends wasting qualifying spots for pretty much every race. Not saying that some of the others who are running full distance would have any better equipment than them, but at least they would be racing for position for as long as their car stays intact.
 
Lionheart2113
He is a true wheel man that's for sure. Not my favorite driver, but gotta give credit where it's due.
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I think he needs that attitude. He hasn't done really any thing last year, except having his best chase ever. The only thing with that is, he wasn't in it.

And opinions on Kyle Larson racing full-time in the 32 with TSM? I said it a hundred times before and I'll say it again. This guy is the future of the sport.
 
Carbonox
Agreed here. It gets really frustrating watching Joe Needmecheck and friends wasting qualifying spots for pretty much every race. Not saying that some of the others who are running full distance would have any better equipment than them, but at least they would be racing for position for as long as their car stays intact.
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Well Joe falls into a totally different ballgame if you ask me then some of those guys. He does run full races at some tracks but his cup money funds his whole nationwide team and he only have 3 full-time guys in his whole team. I'm friends with one of his PR guys who also does all sorts of work there.
 
Justin
NASCAR has decided to do a half-assed job trying to stop start and parks.
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And unfortunately, they're still there. Seriously NASCAR, Just stop the damn thing. Ring them by there neck and make them either Run the entire race or don't race at all, quit taking spots from teams and drivers who actually want to race.
 
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How about go F1 style, only those that finish the race get points and money, and by finish I mean complete at least 75% of the laps at a competitive pace (Within 30 mph of the leader)
 
Jahgee1124
How about go F1 style, only those that finish the race get points and money, and by finish I mean complete at least 75% of the laps at a competitive pace (Within 30 mph of the leader)
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Won't work. NASCAR cannot afford to make that risk.
 
RACECAR
And unfortunately, they're still there. Seriously NASCAR, Just stop the damn thing. Ring them by there neck and make them either Run the entire race or don't race at all, quit taking spots from teams and drivers who actually want to race.
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Therein lies the problem. What is the average number of entries through-out the full season each race? Generally, it's between 45-50, and of those the teams in the top 35 usually do run all the races to distance as long as the money comes. That leaves 10-15 teams, some wanting to run the single race at distance, some trying to make every race but have to start-and-park. Either way you look at it, you already know who the backmarkers are, but NASCAR still wants to pack the field.

I honestly don't mind start-and-park teams. Why? First, they're all backmarker teams, so the only way they change anythin is when they wreck a leader. Second, Tommy Baldwin Racing didn't just appear, and corporations aren't throwing money around like they used to. Third, parkers are usually gone by the first pit stop, less than 50 laps most races. You want to eliminate them? Charge $50,000 per team to race weekly, see how fast it goes downhill.

BTW, with the purse distribution, how much different is that from how it already was?

Jahgee1124
How about go F1 style, only those that finish the race get points and money, and by finish I mean complete at least 75% of the laps at a competitive pace (Within 30 mph of the leader)
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So, by that ruling, anyone who is wrecked before half-way loses everything. Get that by Hendrick or Roush.
 
BKGlover
I honestly don't mind start-and-park teams. Why?
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I don't really have a problem with them either, what I do have a problem with is NASCAR basically trying to get rid of them yet keeping them at the same time.

BTW, with the purse distribution, how much different is that from how it already was?
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Just looking at a few random non-major events it looks like it ranges from about 60k-90k for the bottom few spots. I really don't think taking 4k from each spot is going to deter many who are already doing it.

You can see what each race paid here.
 
Jahgee1124
How about go F1 style, only those that finish the race get points and money, and by finish I mean complete at least 75% of the laps at a competitive pace (Within 30 mph of the leader)
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Too much convolution for a rule like that to work. NASCAR needs to think of a way to give incentives to run the full race.
 
I understand why the smaller low budget teams do it. Why risk tearing up your only race car or spend over $3500 per pit stop just for tires? I've always wondered if you kept around the minimum speed for the entire race, keeping out of the "big boys" way, that you might end up with a 35th or better position. Let's face it, accidents are going to happen, even to the top drivers. I can see BK's point about if you make them run a certain percentage, what happens to the "regulars" who might wreck on lap 8 at Daytona or 'Dega? The only way around that would be to make them run and if they decide to pull their car off the track, it had better be broken or can't keep within a certain speed of their own qualifying time. If not, they are DQ'd for a few races or something.
 
The thing is, would you prefer these low budget teams stay out there, run as long as they can and possibly cause incidents? Or would you rather they park it when they feel they can't run any further due to not having tires or wanting to risk breaking something?

It's either Goodyear makes a tire that's way more durable, or sponsors help those teams out, and to be honest, I see neither of those happening.
 
Justin
NASCAR has decided to do a half-assed job trying to stop start and parks.

NASCAR to reallocate prize money: NASCAR will reallocate prize money from the last five spots in the field this season in an attempt to make it less profitable for teams to start and park. "We moved prize money higher in the purse, so if someone's intent is solely to run a lap or two and park, the revenue stream shrinks,'' NASCAR president Mike Helton said Tuesday during an "Autoweek" panel discussion in Detroit. According to NASCAR, each position from 43rd through 39th will receive $4,000 less for each position. For example, 39th will receive $4,000 less than 38th, 40th $4,000 less than 39th, etc. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp emphasized this is not a reduction in purses, that the overall prize money in 2013 will increase slightly. He said the money taken away from the last five spots will be redistributed "throughout the remainder of the field.''(ESPN)(2-6-2013)
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If they really wanted to stop it they would make it so you had to at least run 25% of the race to get anything.
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To any newbie to NASCAR reading that, why has this decision been taken? What is meant by "start and parks" and why have these drivers ensured the prize money for each position has been moved up the finishing places?

Let us not let the many get too far head of the few. Theirs still people who aren't totally au-fait with NASCAR. Despite it's long history and names. It hardly get's any coverage over here sadly.
 
GTPorsche
The thing is, would you prefer these low budget teams stay out there, run as long as they can and possibly cause incidents?
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I'd say let them give it a go. If you can't run consistent lap times that are within rules and regs either being by your own qualifying time or the minimum speed required and stay out of the way of better drivers/teams, then maybe they should stick to the smaller series. These guys are supposed to be, and for the most part are, some of the best race drivers on the planet. They should be able to manage that. There's always going to be cases that someone shouldn't have done something that ended up effecting the outcome of the race or even championship. How many times have we seen guys with tore up race cars go back out on the track only to cause a caution because part of their suspension fell off wiping out the leaders' 10/sec lead or worse yet, looking for revenge? So even on the slim chance that they cause an incident, to me that's what racing is all about... unpredictable outcomes, showcasing of talent, and raw emotions of the drivers.
 
Diehardracer
Let us not let the many get too far head of the few. Theirs still people who aren't totally au-fait with NASCAR. Despite it's long history and names. It hardly get's any coverage over here sadly.
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If you have Sky+ and order Premeire Sports for £10/month it will cover all of the Nascar Sprint Cup races, even though in the states you will find them on 4 different channels depending who has the tv contract for that particular race. It's great, hoping it will get more followers over here cuz I'm always explaining what exactly it is to friends.
 
Lionheart2113
I understand why the smaller low budget teams do it. Why risk tearing up your only race car or spend over $3500 per pit stop just for tires? I've always wondered if you kept around the minimum speed for the entire race, keeping out of the "big boys" way, that you might end up with a 35th or better position. Let's face it, accidents are going to happen, even to the top drivers. I can see BK's point about if you make them run a certain percentage, what happens to the "regulars" who might wreck on lap 8 at Daytona or 'Dega? The only way around that would be to make them run and if they decide to pull their car off the track, it had better be broken or can't keep within a certain speed of their own qualifying time. If not, they are DQ'd for a few races or something.
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Sounds like a good idea to me but Ill add that to keep the regular drivers safe maybe have the rule not apply to the top 35 owner points. I think the top 35 get guaranteed starts correct? So let them have guaranteed finishes too while the rest must do a minimum percentage
 
Lionheart2113
...cuz I'm always explaining what exactly it is to friends.
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That's great because I would love you to explain what exactly "start and park" is. This is key to understanding this new move by the operator of the series.

Regarding the season coverage, I can see extensive highlights of races on the NASCAR website through Race Rewind which I am hoping is available for all races this year.
 
Diehardracer
That's great because I would love you to explain what exactly "start and park" is. This is key to understanding this new move by the operator of the series.

Regarding the season coverage, I can see extensive highlights of races on the NASCAR website through Race Rewind which I am hoping is available for all races this year.
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A "start and park" team is one that shows up to a race, knowing they have no intention to run the full distance or compete for a win. These teams qualify for the race, start the race, and usually pull off the track and quit after about 5-30 laps. There is nothing wrong with their car and they haven't been in accident. They just don't need to race any longer, because they make enough money to cover their weekend's expenses just by starting the race and quitting, even if they finish in last place. Start and park teams don't even pretend to be competing. They don't bring pit crews or purchase extra tires from Goodyear. The reason they quit early is to avoid risking damage to their cars. They usually only have 1 car and 1 engine (probably leased), and if they were to damage it, it could be weeks or months before they could start another race.


Also, read this:
http://espn.go.com/racing/blog/_/name/blount_terry/id/6280019/nascar-needs-more-pga-it
 
Being from the states, I can't just watch it on something like that, I need the full thing...I hate the fact that I don't get to watch it live because of the time difference, especially a Saturday night race. Atleast Richard Hammond did a thing on it last year for Top Gear, before that either no one knew what it was over here or they didn't repect it because it wasn't F1 and they thought it was just a bunch of us hillbilly's making left turns.
Start and park is just that. They are teams who qualify for the races (based on qualifying time and usually hovering around the 35th position in points) and after a few laps in the race, they take their car behind the wall and load it on the trailer. Even though they didn't finish the race, they will still receive a finishing position, as long as their car rolls over the start/finish line when the initial green flag drops, they will get a nice paycheck. Like everything else, Nascar was hit hard by the recession. Teams either were giants (Rousch/Hendrick/Gibbs etc) or found themselves joining with other teams in order to survive. So these lower budget guys are just trying to keep their head above water by doing this...Kinda like living paycheck to paycheck for the rest of us! The only plus side for them doing this is if your favorite driver crashes out on lap 75, they won't be in last place because they ran more laps than the start and park guys!lol

Sorry Mustang, we must have been writing at the same time, didn't mean to repeat what you just said!
 
What, no talk about the big revelation on Race Hub last night? Bootie Barkers admission that BK was right and teams were indeed cheating with the rear ends last year. OK, he didn't actually say cheating, he said "we were using parts not for their intended purpose" :sly: Well, a "rules clarification" last year and a complete redo of them this year by NASCAR seems pretty telling.
 
RACECAR
And unfortunately, they're still there. Seriously NASCAR, Just stop the damn thing. Ring them by there neck and make them either Run the entire race or don't race at all, quit taking spots from teams and drivers who actually want to race.
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Did you actually expect NASCAR to actually fix a problem instead of coming up with some half-assed "solution" that has little to do with the actual issue? That is why I don't have much hope for 2013 being "the best season in years" like all the drivers and media are being forced to say. :yuck: At least the cars look better than the hideous abominations of 2007-2012.
 
MustangManiac
What, no talk about the big revelation on Race Hub last night? Bootie Barkers admission that BK was right and teams were indeed cheating with the rear ends last year. OK, he didn't actually say cheating, he said "we were using parts not for their intended purpose" :sly: Well, a "rules clarification" last year and a complete redo of them this year by NASCAR seems pretty telling.
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AWE. Say spoiler alert:lol: I have it on my DVR waithing to be watched later today.
 

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