How to make NASCAR less boring

[t.nie]

I say first and foremost, ban crew chiefs. Make the driver dictate all the adjustments to the car from the radio to the crew. I think that would seperate the real geniuses out there driving who actually understand the car from the airheads who are racing on daddy's (or someone else's) dollar.

I know if they held just one 500 miler where the person in charge of all the changes from the start of qualifying to the checkered flag dropping was the driver, we would really see some interesting racing. And we would know who our there really understands how the car works and who doesn't.

I think a lot of what made guys like Richard Petty, Dave Pearson, Mario Andretti etc special was the fact that they actually wrenched on their rides and knew how their cars were put together. Bring that kind of mentality back, instead of the Kyle Busch "spoiled brat with attitude" mentality and it would make things a lot more interesting again.

[slick01]

I say first and foremost, ban crew chiefs. Make the driver dictate all the adjustments to the car from the radio to the crew. I think that would seperate the real geniuses out there driving who actually understand the car from the airheads who are racing on daddy's (or someone else's) dollar.

I know if they held just one 500 miler where the person in charge of all the changes from the start of qualifying to the checkered flag dropping was the driver, we would really see some interesting racing. And we would know who our there really understands how the car works and who doesn't.

I think a lot of what made guys like Richard Petty, Dave Pearson, Mario Andretti etc special was the fact that they actually wrenched on their rides and knew how their cars were put together. Bring that kind of mentality back, instead of the Kyle Busch "spoiled brat with attitude" mentality and it would make things a lot more interesting again.

I will give David some credit. Otherwise these are terrible examples. The problem in todays racing isn't crew chiefs; it is engineers, technology, car owners, and a stupid sanctioning body. If you want a good example of a driver as you suggest....Bobby Allison.

[cooler racer]

Take away the retrictor plates but only give them half the tire they got now. Plenty of power to pass but they will have to use the brakes and actually drive the cars instead of cruising around until the last 100 laps. It will slow down the speeds and create alot more passing opportunities.

[Winston_Wolfe]

You and I don't often agree on politics and such, but I've got to go along with you on this one. Very good idea.

I believe awarding a lot more points for actually winning the race would cause more of them to race to win rather than the boring "points racing" we often see. If Tony Stewart, for example, could gain 100 points on Jimmie Johnson for winning instead of riding around in second or third, he would get up on the wheel more I think. He might even be tempted to move a Bush brat out of the way in the process

[kidrock]

I think the best thing they could do is run a format like they do at your local track. Heat races with a last chance race and then the feature. That way they can do away with the top 35 in points and everyone gets a chance to race their way in. No more riding around for 400 laps to run the last 100 for the win.

[j-me88]

The first step to make NA$CAR less boring would be to get rid of the IROC cars and let the manufacturers have an identity instead of lookalike cars that you can't tell a Ford from a volkswagen ..... The second step would be to move NA$CAR headquarters and not tell Brian France where they moved to !!!! Since he took over NA$CAR has been going down hill at a steady pace !!!!!!

[Highside Hustler25]

Maybe go back to the days of a driver having a 2 lap lead over the 2nd place car so he can come into the pits for a cigarette and beverage without giving up the lead. Those were the good ole days.

[nbmiller]

How about get some drivers with some personality. Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch( love him or hate him) seem to be the only interesting drivers in the series.

[HEAVY DUTY]

Get rid of pit stops,races should be won on the track, not by the pit crew.Races also shouldnt last longer than a tank of fuel, that way they would have to race every lap instead of cruisin till 10 to go.Go back to Rockingham, North Wilksboro, and dirt, get rid of the big 1 1/2 and longer tracks.Then maybe I wouldnt fall asleep every time I try to watch a race without fast forwarding thru it.

[wallcrusher]

Manufacturer's bodies and 200 miles to race.....That would cut tire and fuel cost for starters and possibly put the identity of the car you drive on the street, back in the public eye.........It also would give them a couple of stops for set-up and,......NO MORE RIDING AROUND THE FREAKIN' PARKING LOT for 4hrs, TRYING TO LOOK COOL!

I would bet Bubba's left yo-yo, the national audience would set the T.V. world on fire.....The Advertisers of the races would have to compete against each other for air-time and, that means more revenue for all included in the sport. The local community that makes revenue from the race would lose nothing, because you ain't spending $$$ with them while at the race. Yeah, the hot dog guy may lose out but, He's getting jobbed by the promoter anyway.


Build it and, They will come!

[t.nie]

I like the idea of not having one long race but two or three seperate shorter ones and making it so that they have to run harder. I agree, the longer races seem to be 90% riding around to see what might break on someone else's car to put them out, then 20-30 laps of racing at the end. So why not get rid of the majority of the riding around and just have some racing.

[TackyTracker]

Stop racing all together... We know that won't happen... Other than the Daytona 500 I'd really consider lowering the laps.. The races are just too long IMO...

[CIRF]

Richard Petty worked on racecars right along with Dale, Maurice and the rest of the crew. Richard was the crew chief on his Father Lee's car before he started driving. According to Kyle he would be considered a fabricator in todays raceshop. He knew his share and a little more about how a racecar works and lessened his involvement with the building and maintaining of the cars as sponsor obligations became more time consuming. As far as David Pearson is concerned I'm sure he knew what was needed to make a stock car fast but Mario is another story, I doubt he spent much time workin' on the cars he drove.

As far as drivers with personality, don't mistake acting a fool with having personality. Clint Boyer seems to be a great guy with plenty of personality but Busch and Harvick are merely buttloads that just happen to make a lot of money and know how to drive a NASCAR racecar.

[Ben_Diesel]

With the new Camaros, Mustangs,and Challengers, how about making every team start with an actual production car instead of the crap they're running now? And quit changing the (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) points system every year to suit Hendricks and Jimmy.

[keeks]

I'd like to get rid of all the radios. Make the driver drive. I wonder what kind of different decisions would be made without all this 2 way communication.

k

[carcrazy7]

take it off tv and put lucas oil dirt late models on !

[carcrazy7]

With the new Camaros, Mustangs,and Challengers, how about making every team start with an actual production car instead of the crap they're running now? And quit changing the (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) points system every year to suit Hendricks and Jimmy.

you got the right idea, problem is , that would take real drivers and you'd eliminate half the field ! LOL

[Dirt Frog]

take it off tv and put lucas oil dirt late models on !

Best ideal yet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[F22 RAPTOR]

I say first and foremost, ban crew chiefs. Make the driver dictate all the adjustments to the car from the radio to the crew. I think that would seperate the real geniuses out there driving who actually understand the car from the airheads who are racing on daddy's (or someone else's) dollar.

I know if they held just one 500 miler where the person in charge of all the changes from the start of qualifying to the checkered flag dropping was the driver, we would really see some interesting racing. And we would know who our there really understands how the car works and who doesn't.

I think a lot of what made guys like Richard Petty, Dave Pearson, Mario Andretti etc special was the fact that they actually wrenched on their rides and knew how their cars were put together. Bring that kind of mentality back, instead of the Kyle Busch "spoiled brat with attitude" mentality and it would make things a lot more interesting again.

Not sure what Rowdy did yesterday that got your panties in a twist, but as to your other question, at least at Super Speedways, I'd say do this:

1) I don't have a problem with Crew Chiefs, but in your vein of thinking I'd say get rid of radios or at least two way communication.
2) Remove restrictor plates.
3) Remove rear spoiler.
4) Reduce tire width to 1967 era width.
5) Production car body lines.
6) No bump stop or coil bind setups.
7) Must Run Factory production blocks and heads.
8) Allow overhead cams and factory fuel injection.
9) No skirting or air dams that weren't factory.
10) Add two dirt events to the schedule.
11) Ditch the chase and quit trying to be a stick and ball sport.
12) Qualify and heat race every week, with nobody guaranteed a starting spot.

[Clayton_Wetter]

Start actually watching the races instead of using it as an excuse for napping!

What do you want? Dry slick and dust to fly out of the TV screen?