I think what should be taken into consideration is variety. I love the 500 mile races, but I would also be very interested in a 250-300 mile shootout race at some tracks. I think the CC600 is a good example of making races stick out. How many of these 1.5mile 400-500 races do we need.

Couple ideas

250-300 mile shoot out second time around at some of these tracks.

Or how about an oval race that goes clockwise...ooooh.

Or lastly, and stay with me on this...it's out of leftfied. A 1,000 miler (you want concession money here you go)

The problem with a race run clockwise on an oval is that all ovals that NASCAR runs on are designed to run counter-clockwise. Track safety is designed around the direction of travel, so running a race counter clockwise would be very dangerous if not changes are made, and costly if changes are made to the track.

Shorter distance would put even less fans in the stands. I am not got to spend 8 hours driving each way to watch a 2 hour race.

donethat - 14 April 2008 03:40 PM

Shorter distance would put even less fans in the stands. I am not got to spend 8 hours driving each way to watch a 2 hour race.

Another good point. On TV, I want a shorter race. But when I'm there I want it to go on forever.

I like the idea of most races being shortened so we could see more aggressive racing and more of a sense of urgency from the beginning of a race, instead of just driving around buying time until the end of the race. They do need to keep a few long races so durability would still be an issue. It won't happen if nothing else just because of commercial time, they wouldn't make nearly as much money if they had 30-25% less commercials. I couldn't stand a higher commercial to race time percentage, it is already too high and borderline ridiculous.

When NASCAR introduced the chase, they effectivly made two shorter seasons. IMO, it made the racing worse. I have a feeling the shortened races would have the same effect.

I disagree...the strategy that goes into long races is great. it's part of what makes the cup series the cup series, a lot more endurance strategy is in place than the nationwide and truck series. if I want all out sprint races, I watch the truck series...if I want to see the best of the best go at it for 500 miles, I watch the cup series. it's one of my favorite parts TBH

whip2 - 14 April 2008 04:37 PM

When NASCAR introduced the chase, they effectivly made two shorter seasons. IMO, it made the racing worse. I have a feeling the shortened races would have the same effect.

There's another really good point.

We have seen what the Chase has done to the fall Bristol race (and the races nearing the Chase in general), where drivers are more concerned with staying in the top 12 in points than they are with trying to win the race.

Would shorter races have the same effect? Would drivers take on less risk in a shorter race during the regular season knowing that, because there is little time to recover from a mistake, they need to focus on scoring points and staying in the top-12? Perhaps.

Ahhh... The Chase. :/

Steve Levin - 14 April 2008 03:04 PM

I have to agree with this. There's nothing wrong with 6 big races a year; but more than that takes away the 'specialness' of them.

Steve

The specialness of the track is not there if you watch every race on TV and never go to a race. But, the fan going to Michigan or Pocono, his race is "very special." A lot of people make the mistake by stating their opinion of a race that they watch on TV, as opposed to the actual fan that puts his butt in the stands at that track. The track was built for paying fans, not couch patrons at home.

NoviVespa3 - 14 April 2008 05:06 PM

Steve Levin - 14 April 2008 03:04 PM

I have to agree with this. There's nothing wrong with 6 big races a year; but more than that takes away the 'specialness' of them.

Steve

The specialness of the track is not there if you watch every race on TV and never go to a race. But, the fan going to Michigan or Pocono, his race is "very special." A lot of people make the mistake by stating their opinion of a race that they watch on TV, as opposed to the actual fan that puts his butt in the stands at that track. The track was built for paying fans, not couch patrons at home.

I disagree. I have never been to the Allstate 400 or Coca Cola 600, but nonetheless they are very special races. Even from my couch.

I'll agree that the ambiance created by being at the track in person is like no other, but I don't think it detracts from how "special" a race is.