2013 NASCAR Thread

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2011 was a weird year, as Stewart barely made the chase then took off. Kahne also had super strong run in the chase races with nothing to really show.

Edward's should have won the title for actually being the best over all the races period.

I really think Nascar isn't sure how to get rid of it now that they have it. It's one of those things that unless someone just says forget it all together, they will keep messing with it because they don't want someones ego being bruised over a dumb idea.

I wouldn't say that, it's easy just have a vote among the fans if they wish to save face and they can call it "popular demand" when the chase is killed. My issue is the same it is always with NASCAR they want to always look like some proverbial god that knows what they are doing every time all the time and to be honest there are many other things they can do to produce interesting racing and close championship battles that are down to hard racing.
 
Yeah I have to say I'm more interested in your awesome car, rather than the transporter of the driver that finished 7th.



A playoff system is a gimmick it doesn't truly show the best driver over the year but rather over just 10 races. F1 most definitely does not need such a joke system, Vettel and RBR are winning just like other groups that won many years in a row, because they have the best equipment and are a better team. Real racing is what is needed not a gimmick to boost ratings and profit.

It works fine for non-motorsports sports, and that is because only the best teams make it in and even a wildcard team had to have pretty good standing to make it in. Motorsports have more variables and the playoffs don't truly crown the best driver. This year I may disagree and say the chase did pick the best driver and virtually worked since Kenseth and JJ were doing great before the chase. For the most part the chase does nothing, but give fans hope that their driver that theoretically didn't deserve to be hashing it out for a championship is there. If this were football, Gordon wouldn't even be a wildcard team he'd be out and have to hope for better next season.

I agree with you dude.
 
Yeah but your car is actually nice, I'm a massive hater of that gen so it says something when I like it. And most of the guys that do what you've done that I meet are usually on the second engine due to blowing the first.

I went with a completely forged bottom end before adding the turbo, so I'm good.

Well... so far. :sly:
 
News!

Furniture Row is apparently talking to Truex, and Jeff Burton may be going to MWR...or not. It seems Rob Kauffman(why does that sound familiar?) is an investor in MWR, but may be looking to split and start a new team with Burton as his driver.

Also, Germain will move from Toyota to Chevy, but we all knew that was coming.

NASCAR also looking at adding wickers to the roof(again) and removing minimum height requirements.
 
News!

Furniture Row is apparently talking to Truex, and Jeff Burton may be going to MWR...or not. It seems Rob Kauffman(why does that sound familiar?) is an investor in MWR, but may be looking to split and start a new team with Burton as his driver.

Basically, Kauffman was the reason why Waltrip was even able to stay afloat as far as I can tell. Interesting to hear about this development.

Also, Germain will move from Toyota to Chevy, but we all knew that was coming

I think you mean Ford as they (assuming you mean the 13 car) switched from Toyota a long time ago.
 
Sounds like Brian Vickers' blood clot issues have returned.

Brian Vickers to miss the rest of the 2013 season: Michael Waltrip Racing learned today that Brian Vickers is not available to race for the remainder of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season due to health issues. Vickers said Dr. William Downey has placed him on blood thinning medication after a Monday morning examination on his right leg discovered a small blood clot in his calf region. The medications will keep Vickers out of the #55 Aarons Toyota the remainder of the season, effective immediately. Vickers said his physicians are confident he will be able to resume activity before the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season begins. If theres anything to be positive about with todays news its that this is only a temporary setback, said Vickers. The timing for this is never good, but Im glad well get it out of the way now and be ready to run for a championship with the Aarons Dream Machine in 2014.
We were just informed this morning and our concern is for Brians health, said MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman. Anything else will be worked out in due course. As previously announced, two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the #55 Aarons Dream Machine at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. A replacement driver for the remaining events will be named later. In 22 races with MWR in 2012 and 2013, Vickers owns five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes including a victory on July 14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(MWR)(10-14-2013)

Hope he gets well soon.👍
 
I hope Vickers is OK. But, if not, I guess that gives Truex another option. That is assuming he would even want to stay at MWR.
 
I thought Truex was highly rumored to be going to Furniture Row.

So was Montoya, until a better deal opened up. Until it's on paper, nothing is certain. Hopefully, Vickers recovers, and it's not an issue. Vickers just can't catch a break when it comes to his health and his job security.
 
2011 was a weird year, as Stewart barely made the chase then took off. Kahne also had super strong run in the chase races with nothing to really show.

Edward's should have won the title for actually being the best over all the races period.

That, and how three of NASCAR's most prestigious races were won by underdogs who have only struggled in Cup ever since. A lot of the 2011 season felt like it was planned before the races even occurred.

Speaking of Vickers, I hope he recovers soon. Who will replace him? Will Michael Waltrip drive the #55 for the rest of 2013?
 
With the whole debate about the Chase and other racing series' not doing etc. British Superbikes bought in a chase type thing called "The Showdown" from 2010 as a direct result of Camier taking the 2009 title with 4 races to go. So 9 meetings (19 races) like normal and then a 3 meeting (7 race) Showdown between the top 6 riders.

It's great to watch and would work in most motorsports if done properly.
 
Basically, Kauffman was the reason why Waltrip was even able to stay afloat as far as I can tell. Interesting to hear about this development.
Came on in 2007, about when the team started making a difference, so I'd believe it. I still can't place the name though.....

I think you mean Ford as they (assuming you mean the 13 car) switched from Toyota a long time ago.
Right, right. I haven't heard or seen much from them all year, forgot they had moved to Ford already.

The Vickers news is not good. Blood clots are bad. But, how has this had a chance to recur? Obviously they ARE staying on top of it, though.
 
First half of the 2013 Chase is done. Here's the rest of the schedule:

Oct. 20: Talladega
Oct. 27: Martinsville
Nov. 3: Texas
Nov. 10: Phoenix
Nov. 17: Homestead

Well... if you're in the Chase and are lagging, it's the halfway point. How are you going to close out? How are you going to make that push to get yourself the championship? Got to make that push, and that push begins at the wild card of a race at Talladega. 'Dega is going to be tough and unpredictable as it usually is.

Best of luck to all drivers and teams in the Chase, as well as those not in this season's Chase.


[UPDATE] I'm currently watching the K&N Pro Series race at Dover on SPEED... I mean, FOX Sports 1.
 
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6th back essentially must essentially win-out, because either JJ or Matt will be up front the whole time. Harvick has a decent chance, Busch and Gordon can see the top, but it's off aways.
 
With the whole debate about the Chase and other racing series' not doing etc. British Superbikes bought in a chase type thing called "The Showdown" from 2010 as a direct result of Camier taking the 2009 title with 4 races to go. So 9 meetings (19 races) like normal and then a 3 meeting (7 race) Showdown between the top 6 riders.

It's great to watch and would work in most motorsports if done properly.

Many people complain about the chase, but how would they feel if Jimmy Johnson or Matt Kenseth were 200 points ahead of the field at this point like the old days?

With such a long season, NASCAR has to use a chase type system. If they ever get rid of the chase, they must shorten the season to 30 or so races.
 
Thing is, both of those are exactly what many people want. The schedule at its current length is too long, the Chase system is just useless now and most irritatingly, it takes an entire regular season's worth of work and through its out the window in favor of a "Playoff" system.

Sorry, but I don't see how you think it Needs it. We could've had way more champions without this system but no, instead we're stuck with a gimmick that awards short term performance instead of an actual season's worth of performance and all because they wanted to have champion that won more races. This isn't moto GP, this isn't NHRA and most importantly, its not the NFL (which is what they are hilariously competing with).

Frankly, the cup series as a whole needs a serious fixing because there is a lot of unnecessary things that need to be eliminated or fixing.
 
Many people complain about the chase, but how would they feel if Jimmy Johnson or Matt Kenseth were 200 points ahead of the field at this point like the old days?

At this point, I think even fair-weather fans are tired of it. All I've heard is noise about the races, no one cares about the points.

With such a long season, NASCAR has to use a chase type system. If they ever get rid of the chase, they must shorten the season to 30 or so races.

(looking around)

I volunteer the November TMS race. AAA can go completely, trade AMS for Road Atlanta or Road America, NH gives up one, Kansas goes away, maybe Phoenix 1 for another track.
 
The schedule at its current length is too long,

This x1000

They need to drop the chase and cut the schedule to 25-30 races.

Here is what my dream schedule would look like.

Daytona (Daytona 500)
Texas
Phoenix
Las Vegas
Sonoma
COTA
Chicagoland
Road America
Mosport
Michigan
Mid-Ohio
Indianapolis
Bristol
Martinsville
Watkins Glen (with boot)
Lime Rock
Dover
New Hampshire
Richmond
Darlington
Charlotte (600)
Rockingham
Road Atlanta
Atlanta
Sebring
Homestead-Miami

9/26 Road courses and only 5 cookie cutter ovals.

That schedule, along with this...

Here's how I would set a normal race weekend up:

2 open practice sessions(Each 2 hours long)
A 50 mile sprint race with the lineup being determined by the drivers best time in each session combined(with a mandatory 4 tire stop during the race). This race will also determine the lineup for the main race.
A 250 mile> main event.(The Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 would be kept at the current distance)

There would also be no provisionals, so if you are out, you are out.

Obviously, none of that will ever happen, but a man can dream.:lol::(
 
Many people complain about the chase, but how would they feel if Jimmy Johnson or Matt Kenseth were 200 points ahead of the field at this point like the old days?

With such a long season, NASCAR has to use a chase type system. If they ever get rid of the chase, they must shorten the season to 30 or so races.

The old days you could make up 200 points in race too.
 
Many people complain about the chase, but how would they feel if Jimmy Johnson or Matt Kenseth were 200 points ahead of the field at this point like the old days?

With such a long season, NASCAR has to use a chase type system. If they ever get rid of the chase, they must shorten the season to 30 or so races.

Thing is, both of those are exactly what many people want. The schedule at its current length is too long, the Chase system is just useless now and most irritatingly, it takes an entire regular season's worth of work and through its out the window in favor of a "Playoff" system.

Sorry, but I don't see how you think it Needs it. We could've had way more champions without this system but no, instead we're stuck with a gimmick that awards short term performance instead of an actual season's worth of performance and all because they wanted to have champion that won more races. This isn't moto GP, this isn't NHRA and most importantly, its not the NFL (which is what they are hilariously competing with).

Frankly, the cup series as a whole needs a serious fixing because there is a lot of unnecessary things that need to be eliminated or fixing.

What Racecar said. Also Earth, what you surmise doesn't make sense. You're already worried about a winner being crowned well before the season ends, but we have that same issue. You only have to do good enough or maintain and play a points game to get into the chase and even if the best guys wins or loses the chase either way shows why it isn't needed. So why you don't have the same fear now is beyond me.

As Racecar said we don't want a 36 race season and even if we did, can we get some variety. More privy race fanatics who actually read everything know why NASCAR goes to many of these places and it's due to money to be made by France family and other board members. If we had other tracks it could expand into a bigger fan base who live to see Road Course events (if they made more).

With a long season they actually don't need to use a chase system and after race round 25 this year, Harvick was only 42 points behind in second and Kenseth in 5th was 69 behind. If you do the math from 26 to now you'll see big gain were made and Kenseth wouldn't be far behind JJ. 2011 Kyle was only 25 points behind JJ after round 25 and Carl 38 behind...Tony the later crowned champ 122. 2012 the year of Dodge and the year I hoped didn't have a chase the most (still wouldn't have worked out since my driver got a concussion), Dale Jr was 8 points behind Biffle going in to R25 with BK being 48 down.

So this clearly shows that there are tight races going on without the chase and 10-11 races to go is enough time for the top 5-8 to make a difference and inch out the win. I rather see that then two or three guys run away with it for half of the chase, and then the last 4 races meaning nothing. More importantly the last 26 races meaning nothing as well especially if the guy never had a chance in a 1000 years to win based on a pre-chase standing (*coughgordoncough*).

This x1000

They need to drop the chase and cut the schedule to 25-30 races.

Here is what my dream schedule would look like.

Daytona (Daytona 500)
Texas
Phoenix
Las Vegas
Sonoma
COTA
Chicagoland
Road America
Mosport
Michigan
Mid-Ohio
Indianapolis
Bristol
Martinsville
Watkins Glen (with boot)
Lime Rock
Dover
New Hampshire
Richmond
Darlington
Charlotte (600)
Rockingham
Road Atlanta
Atlanta
Sebring
Homestead-Miami

9/26 Road courses and only 5 cookie cutter ovals.

That schedule, along with this...



Obviously, none of that will ever happen, but a man can dream.:lol::(

I like it but I'd rather you keep Talladega in it, I feel that is much more of a wild card than Daytona. Obviously you keep Daytona because it is the crown jewel.
 
If the Chase was truly a playoff system, the last place Chase finisher from each race would be eliminated. Yes, that means there would be 3 drivers eligible at the last race. It will be that way this year anyway.
 
If the Chase was truly a playoff system, the last place Chase finisher from each race would be eliminated. Yes, that means there would be 3 drivers eligible at the last race. It will be that way this year anyway.


I've been saying this for awhile now! It also opens up someone who has been ok all year to actually finish well, not be stuck at 13th while whoever is in the chase can basically S&P or DNF each race and finish 12th.
 
The old days you could make up 200 points in race too.

You really couldn't. The winner made 180 points, plus another 5 if they led the most laps. Last place paid 34 points, so the most you could make up in a single race was 151.

Truthfully, the new system allows a driver to make up more points in a single race, assuming someone has a bad day. On the other hand, one bad day puts a driver in a much larger points deficit, relative to the field.
 
With so much less points at stake, missing races isn't as much of a big deal with the new system as it used to be.
 
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