All Purpose NASCAR Thread

Half a mil budget cut? *whistles* Shouldn't have put the 401K stock into Krispy Kreme.

Plus the way they preach synergy and convergence at MG, it's probably Mulhern's reporting ability and the paper's presence and location that allows W-S to have a regular NASCAR beater at all. It wouldn't be a stretch if the honchos assumed Richmond and Tampa would have NASCAR covered and cut the position entirely were it not for the previously mentioned factors.

 

Interesting race today.

Both Petty cars in the top 10? Snow is possible in tomorrow's forecast in these here parts, so maybe Hell is cooling down.

Was hoping Labonte would pull it out, but everyone knew he'd get smoked on old tires.

Jeff Burton, you've used your only big-time mulligan.

Junior continues his one-stupid-move-per-race routine.

Not a big fan of the race winner, but given the tragedy that happened en route to this race a couple years ago, I wasn't a fan of the victory lane booing.

 

The fiancee and the parents would have understood. Hell, it's Martinsville.

Wanted to see the 43 win, if only because it's the 43.

 

Nothing's for sure now with four races left. Jeff Gordon is back from the dead and Kyle Busch, in 10th place, is only 171 points back of top spot.

It's shaping up to be one hell of a finish. And I agree it was great to see the Petty cars in Top 10 Land today.

 

Way I heard it, dropping the cylinder helped Hamlin preserve the breaks, since it eliminated the wheel-spin coming off the corners. Of course, I'm not a car guy, so hell if I know that it makes a difference.

 

Brakes, breaks, whatever.

 

Breighks.

 

Busch=still out.
Gordon=still out.
Kahne, Martin and Junebug=Barely breathing.

Still a five-driver chase for the title.

 

After Kansas (race 29)
Johnson - 165 points back
Kahne - 273 points back

After Talladega (race 30)
Johnson - 156 points back
Kahne - 185 points back

After Charlotte (race 31)
Johnson - 146 points back
Kahne - 160 points back

After Martinsville (race 32)
Johnson - 41 points back
Kahne - 99 points back

To summarize, Johnson made up 124 points in three races (105 of them on Sunday alone) and Kahne made up 174. It's pretty silly to insist that, when there are still four races left, only five drivers have a chance to win the championship.

Maybe it will come down to those who are currently in the top five. But at this particular moment, it's too early to say that with any certainty.

 

Somewhat off topic but are the falling NASCAR TV ratings a big-picture story we all are missing? With such a tight, competitive championship fight - artificially sweetened or not with the playoff system - shouldn't more tVs be tuned in?

Just wondering.

Mark DeCotis
FLORIDA TODAY

 

The ratings I last saw in Sports Business Journal, the trend is a downward spiral for NASCAR.

But, TV ratings across the sports platform appears to be on the decline, as well. Just ask the NHL and NBA networks.

Also, would have to give it some time with the Chase being relatively new. Not sure if two seasons would provide enough data; and you certainly can't compare to non-Chase ratings.