Happy Hour: Bigger isn’t always better (Yahoo! Sports)
February 9, 2010
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Room for improvement
More From Jay Hart NASCAR is good, but could be better Feb 8, 2010 Still uncertainty after Bud Shootout Feb 7, 2010
If NASCAR really wants to get better they should get back to ONE team teams. 4 teams working together is not Racing and there are still teams that don’t have the money to be really competitive with the Hendricks and the Roushes. NASCAR will never do that. Racing is “I can build a better car then you and I have a better driver than you do.”
James H. MarkelEast Wenatchee, Wash.
I’d like to see the cap put at two cars, but that’s putting a pretty fat genie back in a tiny bottle. There is little doubt in my mind that many of the issues facing NASCAR are a direct result of the superteams. Pooling resources makes great business sense for Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush and the like, but it’s not so great for the product on the track. Unfortunately, there’s not much NASCAR can do about that now.
The season should not be shortened! You are crazy!
Janine RodriguezPhoenix
The numbers say I’m not, Janine. NASCAR’s television ratings go on a steady decline as the season wears on. Half as many people watch the finale as they do Race No. 2 on the schedule. (We’ll throw out the Daytona 500 because it’s in a league of its own.) I like a good steak as much as anyone, but if I’m eating it day after day after day, after awhile I’m going to get sick of it.
Jimmie vs. Sam
I just read an article where J. Johnson was still upset with Sam Hornish for a wreck last November. “He hits too many things including me.” This could have cost him the Prince his crown.
This is proof that the chase format is garbage. Don’t touch the chosen one or any of the cast of 12 knights racing for the King “”France”.
Shut up Jimmie and all of you whining cry babies. You guys will never measure up to Richard Petty, Big “E”, Allison, Jr. Johnson or even Darrel Waltrip. Drive hard, Race harder, shut up or put up.
Dewayne GodwinDell Rapids, S.D.
In one sense, I agree with you. Then again, Jimmie Johnson is criticized all the time for being “too corporate” and for lacking personality; as soon as he shows a little gumption, some people are all up in arms. I say bring on that kind of talk. Fair or not, it makes things more interesting.
This Bud’s for Happy
How did Kevin Harvick end up the race winner of the Bud Shootout (under caution) when it was explained prior to the start that the race must end under green flag conditions? Am I really the only one who is confused by this?
ChrisParts unknown
No, you’re not. In fact, there was some confusion about this after the race because some drivers had seen on television that the race had to end under green-flag conditions. However, in the pre-race drivers’ meeting, NASCAR explained that they would make one attempt at a green-white-checker, meaning the race could end under caution. After the race, there were no complaints from Kasey Kahne or Jamie McMurray – who finished second and third, respectively – but there was confusion.
Qualifying qualifying
Mr. Hart, I am confused. Along with probably about a million other folks. I’m a forty year NASCAR fan I still don’t get the qualifying at Daytona. It’s exciting and it’s fun, but here’s the part I don’t get: Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (WHAT?!?!?…I am a JR fan and thrilled to see it, but I would’ve thought the new cooperation wouldn’t have shown results until later in the year, although speedweeks does not a year make) are locked into the field and guaranteed to start 1-2 in the “Super Bowl of Racing”. So why in the world would they risk their cars running in the shootout races? Is this required by NASCAR? Do they treat it as a test session and pray they don’t bend the thing up? Seat Time? I see no possible reward and a ton of risk.
Can you help this old man see the light? LOL I look forward to your insight in the coming season and trading a barb or two with you as we’ve done in the past. LET’S GO RACING!!!!
Ross JacksonLongview, Texas
First off, you are not alone. Daytona 500 qualifying is harder to figure out than Mark Martin’s retirement plans.
The Duels actually used to be points-paying events, but that changed in 1968. Yes, they are required to race their 500 car in the event and yes they do pray that they don’t tear them up.
After his qualifiying effort, Earnhardt explained that you can’t “worry too much about that situation,” adding, “You just got to go out there and try to win.”
I like the Duels and the fact that a handful of drivers can actually race their way into the biggest event of the season. Yes, everyone’s at risk of tearing up their cars, but where’s the fun in taking the safe route?
Star sick
“Danica Schmanica!” Jay you are so in love with Danica! Danica is goin to get her butt kicked, and it will be done by a born and bred American stock car girl! And this stock car girl can kick her butt on the track and out of the car too! She won’t be tossin no tissue in her face! The real story is the some of the stock car girls are better drivers than Danica! But that’s okay, you just keep right on doin the “Danica Schmanica!”
DavidMandeville, La.
I hear ya barkin’ David. But here’s the thing: There were more people in the stands last Saturday than I’ve ever seen at an ARCA race, and I’m guessing (though I haven’t seen the ratings) that SPEED’s broadcast of the event was the most watched ARCA race ever. More people read Dan Wetzel’s story on Danica than did my recap of the Bud Shootout. For me, this is the Catch-22. Has she done anything in a stock car or any race car to warrant the amount of coverage she gets? No. But we’re a star-driven society. People want to see and read about Danica, and if we don’t provide the coverage, fans will go find it somewhere else.
The good news for you, David, is that this week is the height of it. It’ll die down eventually – unless, of course, she wins.
Snubbing Joey
I cannot believe Joey Logano didn’t make your top 20 countdown! For goodness’ sake, he finished 20th last year and he was only a rookie. None of you think he’s going to improve in his sophomore year?! I don’t think even a sophomore slump will keep him out of the top 20, he’s too good. I’m going to go out on a limb and put my prediction in writing: Logano makes the Chase, but doesn’t win the championship.
Bill CarswellHuntsville, Ala.
I actually picked Logano to finish 18th. The reason I don’t think he will make the Chase is simply because the competition is so strong. While he certainly showed massive improvement as the season wore on, he still wasn’t a consistent presence near the front of the pack, and that’s what it will take to make the Chase. That said, Logano absolutely thinks finishing in the top 12 is a realistic goal. Check back with me in September, Bill.
Last call …
How do you guys filter the 100s of a-holes on the live chat during the races and still keep up on the action on the track?
HowieAmherst, N.Y.
Jay Hart is the NASCAR editor for Yahoo! Sports. Send Jay a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
