2024 NASCAR

[wdwfan4ver]

It has been announced that Darrell Waltrip is retiring from the Fox Booth after this year. I don't know who will replace him for sure. As Far as Darrell Waltrip goes, I think he's been past his prime for a while. I remember Darrell Waltrip in the booth for IROC Racing in 1999. Darrell was good in that time. Darrell Waltrip saying Boogity Boogity Boogity lets going racing Boys, was not how Darrell Waltrip as an announcer before going to Fox. David Hill the sports producer for Fox was responsible for Darrell Waltrip using that phase.

Darrell himself has lost it as announcer for a good amount of years. Darrell can't relate to today's race cars at all. Darrell is someone that needed to go when Jeff Gordon was hired. I thought Fox got a rid of the wrong person in the booth. Darrell was not the first or the last to decline in a broadcasting booth.

I've seen announcers that lost it before. I hate to say it but, Ken Squier lost it in the late 1990s. I've seen that happen for National Football League broadcasts in the past also like the old famous John Madden and Pat Summerall team. What happens is announcers in some cases became less knowledgeable in time, or the announcing school just planned slipped by a lot.

What I know is Kevin Harvick already said early this week that he's not retiring anytime soon as a driver. He even said his contract is up after 2021. It sounds like at this point that Kevin could be another Mark Martin or a Harry Gant. I said Harry Gant because Harry did race in the cup series in his 50s and did win 4 races in a row when he was 51 years old.

The only choices I can think of currently for taking over Darrell Waltrip is Ricky Craven, Larry Mcreynolds, and Michael Waltrip. I brought up Ricky Craven because he did announce races for ESPN and always been extremely knowledge about NASCAR.

I mentioned Larry due to him being booth with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip for many years before Jeff Gordon came along. The question lays if Larry wants to go back to announcing.

I have a bad feeling it is Michael Waltrip replacing his brother. Michael always been terrible in the booth.

 

[artvandelay]

It has been announced that Darrell Waltrip is retiring from the Fox Booth after this year. I don't know who will replace him for sure. As Far as Darrell Waltrip goes, I think he's been past his prime for a while. I remember Darrell Waltrip in the booth for IROC Racing in 1999. Darrell was good in that time. Darrell Waltrip saying Boogity Boogity Boogity lets going racing Boys, was not how Darrell Waltrip as an announcer before going to Fox. David Hill the sports producer for Fox was responsible for Darrell Waltrip using that phase.

Darrell himself has lost it as announcer for a good amount of years. Darrell can't relate to today's race cars at all. Darrell is someone that needed to go when Jeff Gordon was hired. I thought Fox got a rid of the wrong person in the booth. Darrell was not the first or the last to decline in a broadcasting booth.

I've seen announcers that lost it before. I hate to say it but, Ken Squier lost it in the late 1990s. I've seen that happen for National Football League broadcasts in the past also like the old famous John Madden and Pat Summerall team. What happens is announcers in some cases became less knowledgeable in time, or the announcing school just planned slipped by a lot.

What I know is Kevin Harvick already said early this week that he's not retiring anytime soon as a driver. He even said his contract is up after 2021. It sounds like at this point that Kevin could be another Mark Martin or a Harry Gant. I said Harry Gant because Harry did race in the cup series in his 50s and did win 4 races in a row when he was 51 years old.

The only choices I can think of currently for taking over Darrell Waltrip is Ricky Craven, Larry Mcreynolds, and Michael Waltrip. I brought up Ricky Craven because he did announce races for ESPN and always been extremely knowledge about NASCAR.

I mentioned Larry due to him being booth with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip for many years before Jeff Gordon came along. The question lays if Larry wants to go back to announcing.

I have a bad feeling it is Michael Waltrip replacing his brother. Michael always been terrible in the booth.

I pray that Michael Waltrip is not the replacement. Maybe Larry Mac for one year and then Harvick or Knauss?

 

[MinnieM123]

It has been announced that Darrell Waltrip is retiring from the Fox Booth after this year.

I'll actually miss Darrell Waltrip when he leaves the booth. To me, he had this sort of retro, down-home, reporting style, and I found a lot of what he said was interesting. He always seemed like he was having fun during the broadcasts, too. I know he drove some others crazy, but he didn't bother me.

That being said, if he's leaving, I'd prefer to see Happy Harvick (once his racing career contract is over) as the new replacement in the booth.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I found out a little bit information concerning Bristol's embarrassing attendance of 36,000 fans for a cup race. I called it embarrassing because the track used to be a sell out to the point that there was a waiting list.

Clint Bowyer mentioned that there was hotel price gouging in Tennessee for NASCAR weekend based on his phone calling. Clint mentioned Johnson City Courtyard during Race weekend had rooms at $319.00 per night night, but is taking walk-ins at $105 after race weekend. Clint checked Hampton Inn also. Hampton Inn had prices at $308 per night during during race weekend, but it only costs $133 due it it not being a race weekend.

I do think the attendance woes are deeper than hotel price gouging for Bristol. I recalled reading about hotel price gouging for NASCAR weekends back in the 2000s at different track areas, so this isn't new.

I know the start of Bristol's problems was a combination of things including the chase and Bruton Smith. Bruton Smith is the owner of Bristol and owns Speedway Motorsports Inc. Bruton Smith did a series of stuff that did play a rule in the decline of NASCAR even before the configuration of Bristol.

Burton Smith decided to reconfigure the track at a time that Bristol was a sell out and fans started not go to Bristol as a result. Bruton did reconfigure the track again, but it was not the same besides the damage already was done by reconfiguring a track at a time that it didn't need it. The cash affected the August Bristol races even before the track got reconfigure because the drivers were driving less aggressive because they did not want to take a chance not getting into the chase.

The final problem thing with NASCAR's problem with Bristol Attendance actually is cause the Changes NASCAR own Management before this year caused lots damage to NASCAR during the reign of Brian France. While Brian is not with NASCAR anymore, he did a lot of that screwed up NASCAR and angered fans. Based on what I read on reddit last month, a former team owner straight and said Brian France actually though he know more than anyone else in NASCAR and he did a lot of damage as a result.

 

[MinnieM123]

I found out a little bit information concerning Bristol's embarrassing attendance of 36,000 fans for a cup race. I called it embarrassing because the track used to be a sell out to the point that there was a waiting list.

Clint Bowyer mentioned that there was hotel price gouging in Tennessee for NASCAR weekend based on his phone calling. Clint mentioned Johnson City Courtyard during Race weekend had rooms at $319.00 per night night, but is taking walk-ins at $105 after race weekend. Clint checked Hampton Inn also. Hampton Inn had prices at $308 per night during during race weekend, but it only costs $133 due it it not being a race weekend.

I do think the attendance woes are deeper than hotel price gouging for Bristol. I recalled reading about hotel price gouging for NASCAR weekends back in the 2000s at different track areas, so this isn't new.

I know the start of Bristol's problems was a combination of things including the chase and Bruton Smith. Bruton Smith is the owner of Bristol and owns Speedway Motorsports Inc. Bruton Smith did a series of stuff that did play a rule in the decline of NASCAR even before the configuration of Bristol.

Burton Smith decided to reconfigure the track at a time that Bristol was a sell out and fans started not go to Bristol as a result. Bruton did reconfigure the track again, but it was not the same besides the damage already was done by reconfiguring a track at a time that it didn't need it. The cash affected the August Bristol races even before the track got reconfigure because the drivers were driving less aggressive because they did not want to take a chance not getting into the chase.

The final problem thing with NASCAR's problem with Bristol Attendance actually is cause the Changes NASCAR own Management before this year caused lots damage to NASCAR during the reign of Brian France. While Brian is not with NASCAR anymore, he did a lot of that screwed up NASCAR and angered fans. Based on what I read on reddit last month, a former team owner straight and said Brian France actually though he know more than anyone else in NASCAR and he did a lot of damage as a result.

Well, all the above could certainly be contributing factors. As for the inflated hotel/motel prices, that's just common practice when there is any major event going on in an area (not just NASCAR). But I don't think that the lodging prices are really the main reason. I think some of the fans are just staying away due to other reasons you mentioned above.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Multiple stuff was announced for the 2019 all-star race.

I'm going into the technical announcements for the all-star race with this post. The package is going to have a single-piece carbon fiber splitter/pan. Nascar claims this splitter also should provide a more stable aero platform and create a more consistent performance in traffic.

The 2nd technical announcement is radiator exit duct through the hood. According to NASCAR, this will separate aerodynamic performance and engine temperatures.

NASCAR is doing these technical announcements for the all-star race because the the sanctioning body may incorporate these 2 technical elements into the generation 7 cup car. The generation 7 cup car is expected to come out in 2021.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

The format for the open format is 1st stage has 20 laps, 2nd stage has 20 laps, and final stage has 10 laps.

The all-star race itself is going to have 4 stages. The first stage is 30 laps, 2nd stage has 20 laps, 3rd stage has 20 laps, and the final stage has 15 laps.

Green and yellow flag laps will count in stages 1 to 3. Yellow flag laps will not count in final stage at all. NASCAR already said unlimited attempts at a green white checkered flag finish under green flag conditions if there is less than 2 laps left in the final stage.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I have 2 pieces of NASCAR news.

The first is Wood Brothers have joined Race Team Alliance. Race Team Alliance is not-for-profit business organization that has a bunch of NASCAR teams. The nature of it is a combination of things including working with NASCAR with a Single voice. The catch is RTA is why NASCAR has a charter system and that system actually is not helping NASCAR at all.

The Wood Brothers have to be pay mid 5 figure annual fee now

The 2nd piece of News is The Smith company is trying make Speedway Motorsports Inc. a private company. The Smith family owns Sonic Financial corporation. The catch is the Smith family also owns Speedway Motorsports inc. What the Smith family is trying to do is not having any outsiders own any stock of Speedway Mpotorsports inc.

Speedway Motorsports Inc. owns the following race tracks: Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Kentucky, Atlanta, Sonoma Raceway, New Hammpshire, and North Wilkesboro (leaves race track to rot).

 

[wdwfan4ver]

What I mean by North Wilkesboro (leaves race to rot) is Speedway Motorsports inc. and Bob Bahre bought the race track just to take all the race dates away from it. Bob Bahre was the owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway before he sold it to Speedway Motorsports Inc. in the 2000s. North Wilkesboro was too dated to be a cup track in the 1990s, but it still had potential to be truck series race track in Nascar past 1996.

Bob Bahre bought a half of the race track as a way to give New Hampshire its second race date. Speedway Motors ports inc. Bought North Wilkesboro as a way to give Texas Motor speedway its first cup date. Bob Bahre and Speedway Motorsports Inc. made the selling price of North Wilkesboro so high that no would buy it for many years because they did not want North Wilkesboro to have races at any racing level at all. That meant Those two bought the race track for personal gain and screw the citizens of North Wilkesboro of an operating race track.

I know North Wilkesboro did open for racing in the early parts of the 2010s, but the damage already was done beside the condition of the track.

Speedway Motorsports inc. was founded by Bruton Smith. While Bob Bahre can be painted as a racing villain towards NASCAR fans because of what he did to North Wilkesboro, but he is no where close to Burton Smith as villain.

Burton Smith since the 1990s has played a role of damaging NASCAR through a series of events including buying to close North Wilkesboro. Bruton Smith damaged the popularity of Bristol by configuring a race track that was sold out for many years and the track now is lucky to sell 40,000 fans because of what he did. Bruton did a lot more than those 2 things.

 

[Dead2009]

My brother somehow got tickets to the Dover race next weekend and I might be going to my first ever race lol.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

NASCAR teams are trying to get the sanctioning body and tracks to help foot the bill for the major expense of switching to the new Gen 7 car based on what I read. That basically tells me the teams think the revenue distribution is out of balance.

I really don't know the tracks can help foot the bill. My reasoning is the race tracks attendance is not like it was even in the mid 2000s. I've embarrassing crowd sizes at places like Bristol and a bunch of other tracks. Talladega is the first track the looked very close to being filled since the Daytona 500. The track declines is caused by a combination of things including bad management by track companies and NASCAR itself.

Fans have been leaving after their favorite driver retired because they couldn't stand what NASCAR management was doing under Brian France. Brian did a lot of damage and people in management positions in general for NASCAR.

This decade seen Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, and Bobby Labonte retire. Those drivers are major names and did carry a fanbase.

 

[MinnieM123]

This decade seen Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, and Bobby Labonte. Those drivers are major names and did carry a fanbase.

That's a very good point. Even though I currently have a few favorites, I'm not as interested in race days as I used to be. Actually, I completely forgot all about Talladega this past weekend, and that would have never happened even just a few years ago.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Truck series driver Austin Wayne Self has been reinstated after completing the road to recover program.

The question I have is how he completed the program so quick considering NASCAR announced his suspension on April 1st. Other drivers that got suspended used the Road to Recover Program, but it took them much longer.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

The 3 car of Austin Dillion loses 10 owner points and 10 driver points for unapproved Rear Deck Lid at Talladega. Austin's car chief has been suspended for a week, and Austin's Crew Chief has fined $25,000. NASCAR took away the unapproved Rear Deck Lid before qualifying at Talladega.

The reason for the 3 car getting penalized for an unapproved Rear Deck Lip because it gives the 3 car a aerodynamic advantage by getting adding more down force.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

NASCAR announced that they are now back to single car qualifying for all 3 national NASCAR touring series except for road courses.
How single Car qualifying works is if the track is 1.25 miles or longer, the driver only can do one qualifying lap. If the track is less than 1.25 miles, drivers take 2 qualifying laps.

The qualify order draw is handled by top-20 starters from the previous race will draw positions 21-40 aka the 2nd half of qualifying. The remainder of the cars will draw to qualify in positions 1-20. This is different than the old days of completely randomly draw a number for qualifying order.

The top 20 starters from the previous week could be getting an advantage getting out later depending on the time qualifying starts.

 

[MinnieM123]

NASCAR announced that they are now back to single car qualifying for all 3 national NASCAR touring series except for road courses.
How single Car qualifying works is if the track is 1.25 miles or longer, the driver only can do one qualifying lap. If the track is less than 1.25 miles, drivers take 2 qualifying laps.

The qualify order draw is handled by top-20 starters from the previous race will draw positions 21-40 aka the 2nd half of qualifying. The remainder of the cars will draw to qualify in positions 1-20. This is different than the old days of completely randomly draw a number for qualifying order.

The top 20 starters from the previous week could be getting an advantage getting out later depending on the time qualifying starts.

Sometimes, it's hard to keep up with all the changes going on!

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Sometimes, it's hard to keep up with all the changes going on!

I agree. If I were the person in charge of NASCAR, my priority is do not make rule changes during a season at all.

Part of this caused by NASCAR themselves. This is now the 3rd rule change for NASCAR qualifying this season because the teams and the drivers couldn't stop doing gamesmanship such as waiting till the last minute for a qualifying attempt or try to block another driver.

The fact is everyone in NASCAR knows drivers do use gamesmanship for restarts and that should give a clue on what would happen in group qualifying. Drivers even slow down on purpose for getting out of the pits for getting into the restart position they want.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Tyler Riddick is going to make his next cup start at Kansas driving the 31 car for RCR.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

NASCAR has announced 2 gambling related partnerships.

The first is NASCAR announced a partnership to Genius Sports to develop an official NASCAR gaming offering for legal sportsbooks.

The 2nd is NASCAR has a content partner ship with Action Sports. Action Sports does sports betting insights and analytics.

I am not interest in doing any NASCAR betting.

 

[MinnieM123]

NASCAR has announced 2 gambling related partnerships.

The first is NASCAR announced a partnership to Genius Sports to develop an official NASCAR gaming offering for legal sportsbooks.

The 2nd is NASCAR has a content partner ship with Action Sports. Action Sports does sports betting insights and analytics.

I am not interest in doing any NASCAR betting.

Sounds like they're venturing out into different areas, to generate some additional interest and possibly entice some newer fans to the sport. With the attendance numbers trending downward at some of the race tracks, they're probably exploring other possible sources of revenue. The gaming aspect doesn't appeal to me, but it may to others.