The 2022 running NASCAR, IMSA & other racing things thread

Keselowski is not getting out of his car (and he's said as much) because it hits him in the wallet as an owner. Hamlin, for all of his talk, is not getting out of his car because it hits him in the wallet as an owner — though of the two he'd be more likely to do it.

 

Oh, I know they won't. But if they truly wanted to make a statement, they would.

 

Bill France had two rules. 1. This is a show. 2. Don't f--- with the show. And the 1969 Talladega 500 proved he would resort to anything if someone f--- with the show.

The Professional Drivers Association felt the tires were unsafe at those speeds on a new track and walked out, after LeeRoy Yarbrough punched France in the face. Big Bill cobbled together a field of non-union drivers, independents and guys who had run the ARCA race the day before. He may have even told timing and scorin to alter the running order to make unknown Richard Brickhouse the winner because Dodge wanted their new car in victory lane. Under pressure, the PDA caved.

1969 Talladega 500 - Wikipedia

That was before big TV deals and sponsorships, but I have no doubt that NASCAR would stick 36 scabs in the cars next week if the "names" walked, because if Petty, Pearson and the Allisons couldn't convince the fans to stay away, there's no chance in hell any of these guys has that much pull. And as long as the cars go around in circles, NASCAR fans are dumb enough not to care.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...na-speedway-after-heavy-rain-2009/8167881001/


But the photo was taken years ago. It shows the track after it was flooded by heavy rain in 2009, according to Autoweek, which originally published the photo.
"Some social sites are touting these shots as the result of 2022's Hurricane Ian," the editor's note reads. "This story and these images are from a 2009 storm that hit Florida, NOT 2022."

 

1) The issue in Talladega more than 50 years ago was the last time Firestone was involved with providing tires for the Frances' traveling circus. Except for a brief run by Hoosier, Goodyear has been the only tire provider. IMO, the lack of competition on that front hasn't helped the teams, vehicles and especially drivers.
2) You mean, some of these new drivers are much better than some of the scabs Big Bill was willing to have run his top circuit's Talladega race? In a way, some of the top drivers of the last 10-15 years have gotten out because the money dried up. Of course, how bad has it really gotten when they couldn't get even a half-decent title sponsor for the top series? If NASCAR doesn't do something soon, this is going to be an even bigger mess than the next Big One at Daytona or Talladega. And no extended yellow or red flag is going to save them.

 

The last time we had two tire manufacturers in NASCAR, the competition on that front absolutely didn't help teams, vehicles and especially drivers.

How about something like what they do in open-wheel racing? Tell Goodyear to bring two different tire compounds to every track, and make each car use both compounds during the race.

 

The "scabs" bit is silly.

 

Out this weekend: Alex Bowman (who will exit the Chase), Kurt Busch and Cody Ware (ankle or leg).

 

Davey Allison once drove with a cast on his arm and had it duct taped to the shifter.
Ricky Rudd once drove with his eyes taped open.

 

Bill Elliott drove with a broken wrist ... for the most part, I think he drove one-handed.