southcst - 13 August 2009 11:49 AM

Maelochs - 23 July 2009 06:37 PM

The "competition" yellows are to prevent a real race from breaking out within NASCAR carefully choreographed show.

Sometimes in real racing on e car is better, and the driver is having a good night, and the set-up is just right, and that driver pulls far ahead of everyone else. That's racing; a fast, reliable, stable car with a good driver will be faster than slower, less reliable, less stable cars.

But NASCAR doesn't like that. So NASCAR throws a full-course caution to bring the leaders back to the pack, and allows a lapped car to join up on the lead lap. This way the guys at the back race hard even if they can't get out of 40th place, just so they aren't last.

And the guys at the front can try to cheat - I mean, anticipate - the restart, and get ahead of the faster car, or ram him, and push him into the wall or off the track. Fans love this.

I mean, what kind of world would it be, if the fastest driver in the fastest car won? If winning races was more about driving skill and engineering expertise and not about being able to carefully ram a car so he crashed and you didn't? What kind of racing would that be?

Some people really like the spectacle called "NASCAR racing." I am glad for them. But the rules are designed to produce entertainment of a certain type, not a race, which could go any which way. So long as the fans like that type of entertainment, NASCAR is doing just fine.

And for people who don't enjoy that, there are other kinds of autosports where cars and drivers compete at driving and racing. No problem there either.

Whatever kind of motorsports you like, glad you do. There is a lot of enjoyment to be had there.

Too bad you have no clue as to what a "competition yellow" is. Nascar doesn't randomly throw competition yellows. They are pre-determined and set to take place on a specific lap within the first 40 miles of a race. It has absolutely nothing to do with tightening the field. They use a competition yellow to allow teams to A)check tire wear as a safety precaution because there's been an unusual amount of excessive wear in practice B) make setup changes to their cars due to track conditions substantially changing since qualifying.
The competition yellow is mainly a safety measure and at the same time allows teams to make some quick adjustments that they couldn't make after post qualifying impound, which makes for better racing.

Before you Nascar critics try to explain something you know nothing about, you may want to get your facts straight if you want to be considered credible. Seriously. . . my 8 and 9 year old boys know what a competition yellow is.

Wow, the guy says "competition" when I'm sure he meant "phantom debris" and you take him to the woodshed? Would you have any disagreement with his post if he used "phantom debris" instead?

Well .... he is correct and also in denial.


The specific term "competition yellow" refers to stops to adjust cars after track conditions change, to increase safety. I used the wrong term, meaning "Yellow flags waved to increase the illusion of competition" when I should have said "debris yellows."


But of course, since I posted that, drivers have admitted to calling for cautions for nothing, and also to throwing debris out the window.

Better for him to hide his shame by attacking me, than to admit that the "racing" he so loves is riddled with dirty tricks and contrivances designed to create the illusion of close competition.

Better to attack the messenger, even if the message is one we have all had for a decade: NASCAR manipulates the races to create the illusion of competition.

I still watch NASCAR, particularly late in the season (even though I hate the Chase) and even though I am frustrated sometimes that NASCAR (or sometimes, a driver) is afraid to let a real race break out. But I accept it. Just like I accept the "balancing" crap in Grand Am, and the rules that give diesels an unbeatable edge in LMS.

I still like racing, worms and all.

That poor guy can't stand reality, so he has to attack people who point out the truth. I feel for him.

red376 - 23 July 2009 09:40 AM

penske14 - 23 July 2009 01:18 AM

Ayrsen - 09 July 2009 11:04 AM

How can nascar be stock car racing if all the cars are the same even though they're supposed to be different makes?...I guess it used to be stock car racing but not anymore. I have not seen any Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion on the streets with 8 cylinders engines or rear traction...So what kind of racing competition is nascar?...From what I see it is not stock car racing.

no!

The OP never asked a question that would deserve your response.

Nice try but nooo ceee-garrr...
The question P14 answered was only the topic title...