After four races into the 2009 NASCAR season, it’s time to stop and take a look at how things are stacking up. We’ve had a driver win two races in a row and two races won with drivers having the same last name but two different car numbers.
It seems like the racing is a little better this year. Do you think it is because the teams are getting better at setting up these COTs, or like me, think it is a result of Goodyear finally doing a better job at giving them a tire that gives them better control. Are the drivers finally learning how to drive these crazy cars. You don’t hear the word ‘tight’ much anymore unless that’s what the drivers are asking their crew chiefs to do to their cars on the next pit stop.
Do you think, by the teams not having the benefit of testing this off season, that it has curbed the possibility of cheating? Have you noticed that there hasn’t been many penalties issued by NASCAR so far this year? NASCAR made it pretty clear last year that they would not tolerate any bending of the rules or tweaking on the COT or the wrath of the firm hand would fall with points deductions and very heavy fines. Teams really don’t want to risk losing points and/or money when all talk has been on the tight economy.
And speaking of the economy, do you think it has helped with tracks slashing ticket prices, to put fans in the seats? Last weekend, at Atlanta, the grandstands were pretty thin. It was kind of sad. In past years, Atlanta was full of folks on the front and back stretch. The camp grounds were so full that if you didn’t get there by, no later than Wednesday, you had to go way out in the overfill grounds which meant walking a great distance to get to any on track activities. This last weekend you could have came in there with a camper on Friday and pretty much have any place you wanted to set up and still have elbow room from your neighbors.
Bristol still has tickets available for their race weekend, which is unheard of. We’re talking about the track, in the past, that you had to send in a signed check or credit card number, with a form letter that had to be followed to a tee, and then be lucky enough to be drawn for you to get season tickets. In the early nineties, it took me three years waiting to get my season tickets sent to me, and they weren’t the best seats either. I was happy to get them because it was much cheaper than paying the scalper prices at the track.
So it’s time for you to sound off. Tell us what you think or how you think this year has started out.
What you like or dislike about anything NASCAR, from tickets to campgrounds, teams to drivers, COT to rules.
How can tracks fill the seats?
What rules should be changed?
What could help TV ratings?
What’s on your NASCAR mind?
