How to get an outsider intrested in NASCAR?

Question

As and F1 (and IRL) fan, I'm often told by certain NASCAR fans that I'm watching the wrong racing series. When I ask why I always get one of five answers:

1: NASCAR has a bigger audience.

2: NASCAR has more drivers.

3: NASCAR has more over taking.

4: [insert driver name here] would totally beat the all those F1 drivers.

5: F1 sucks!

I hate to say it but these things isn't going to make me want to watch NASCAR. And I have tried, several times.

I want you guys to do a little reasearch on this sport all of you clearly love with a passion and give me some good solid reasons about anything: the history of the sport, the mechanics of the cars, proof about how good these drivers are, etc.

I want to feel like I'm missing out on something big.

Just throwing insults at F1 then not only will you get a thumbs down (scary, I know) but it will also damage my view of NASCAR fans.

You want an outsider's respect then give me a well thought out answer.

Answer 1

No it's not right that all these people are giving you flak b/c you're into F1

Myself, I don't like Nascar but I don't dislike it either. I can't seem to understand the passion involved in something that basically "goes fast and turns left" but, from a hot rodder's perspective, I am interested in everything that makes these cars fast. From engine bulding to chassis tuning; there's definitely something to be learned from these cars. I have always built better engines b/c of this new found knowledge.

I've also learned a lot from F1 as well in case you're wondering...

here it is: Nascar got its start just after the prohibition was over when all the rum runners had nothing to do. These rum runners would shuttle liquor in their cars but had to find innovative ways, like modifying their cars, to escape the police. After the prohibition was over they decided to "race" @ Daytona Beach to see who had the fastest car as the fastest rum runner always got away and this held a lot of prestige.

The trouble is, b/c of of its history, it's as deeply rooted in american identity as apple pie. It doesn't help that americans sometimes have a huge ego and anything from anywhare else in the worl is viewed as inferior but that's my opinion.

anyways, if you want more I'm sure wikipedia will help...

Answer 2

Well, maybe you should look at the interest the drivers from F1 and IRL have in driving NASCAR races. There has been alot of drivers that have and are currently looking to become a regular part of NASCAR. Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya are current crossovers. I believe I read that Michael Schumaucher is currently expressing an interest also. I myself like all types of racing. When I started watching NASCAR back in the 1970's I was drawn to how the drivers seemed more like the kind of guy who lived next door than the F1 or Indy driver. Maybe it was because you could actually drive the same car. It seemed to be the interaction at the track, back then, with the fans that was also appealing. I think interest now is more marketing and passed down through generations of fans than the experience that I had. I guess it just boils down to preference, and just like a favorite football or baseball team, no amount of argument will change how you feel about the different types of racing. You might enjoy the 2 road course races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. I know they're my favorites.

Answer 3

Well, you have a valid question. For starters you watch racing so you already know that the drivers are doing more than going around in circles (that irritates me). As for Nascar Racing- I enjoy the constant competition...on the track and in the pits. The drivers are kind people to their fans. They do A LOT of charity work for and with children. It's a family oriented sport...meaning they embrace the other drivers wives and families. I read about how Montoya's wife felt a really warm reception from everyone on the Nascar circuit--that she didn't have at IRL. I'm not sure what else I could tell you. If I could watch with you I'd have you jumpin' up and down screamin' with me. It's really fun. I hope you'll join us Nascar fans sometime.

Answer 4

Not all NASCAR fans are like that. Yes, I'm sure I've said something like that before but it's my point of view and it's a really sucky answer.

I get this question all the time. I've been asked it a million times. Each time my answer changes but this time I think I have the perfect answer.

I watch NASCAR because it holds the key to all of my emotions. It can make me laugh, cry, smile, or pull my hair out all in the same race. It's not like F1 or IRL. It's different from every sport and every racing series out there. NASCAR gives me something to look forward to each week. NASCAR make me, me. You don't want history of the sport, you'd be reading all day. The drivers are great. I don't like all of them but they are great. They help make the sport so great. As do the fans. The drivers can wreck each other on the track but still be best friends off the track. And the fans can choke each other while watching the race on the couch but still be best friends tomorrow.

If you don't like NASCAR than don't try to. Let NASCAR come to you. I didn't always like NASCAR. I just started watching it 3 years ago but I can tell you every champion since 1949. Either you're born with the gene to like NASCAR or you're not. It's not something you pick up over night. That's what makes it so special to me.

Good enough?

Answer 5

Good call Tigger...remember when Dale Jr. got caught in the Big One at Talladega on lap 5 and still won? For those that don't know..."The Big One" is a phenomenon that usually occurs at Daytona and Talladega as a result of the restrictor plates they put on the engines; because the cars can't run at full potential, they're bunched up in one huge pack. If someone up front makes a mistake, the drivers can't react and often, half the field gets taken out...which is about 20-25 cars. Often, if the team can get the car fixed up to where it'll keep up with the leaders, a driver can escape a light accident with a good finish no matter where the race is at.

That is my gripe with open-wheel racing...one little scrape is enough to shear the suspension and render the car useless. That doesn't mean I don't like it, but it confirms my preference for stock cars and sports cars. (Did anyone see the GT2 finish at Sebring last week? Now that's some good stuff!)

Answer 6

Dude, you are not watching the wrong racing. F1 is cool. But, the best way to get into NASCAR is to go see a race. Like some of the other answers, go to a track that has action, like Atlanta, Concord (or Charlotte for those who don't live in NC), or Bristol. Having been to races at Concord, Bristol and the old North Wilkesboro tracks, I much prefer Concord. Bristol is too small. If you get lucky and get seats lower down, you can't keep track of everything that happens. Higher up, and you can't see the cars (or wrecks). At Concord, I have sat in different places (including one of the suites) and it is so fun. Well, almost always fun. It got pretty cold this past Oct., but it was still a good time.

Bristol, Talladega or Daytona on TV is good. You get to see alot more of the bump action.

The only "bad" thing about F1, is that if you brush the wall, you might lose part of your car. In NASCAR, they tape them up and can still run. With the pack sometimes.

Answer 7

Without a doubt the technology that goes into the F1 cars is FAR superior to the "stock"cars of NASCAR. It takes different types of skills and nerves to drive either of them. In F1 you probably have 1 of 5 or 6 guys that will win races all year and with the weight to horsepower ratio there is not much comparison between the 2 series. What I prefer in the cup series is the amount of action. First of all you have way more cars on the track which means way more drivers. Sure you have several of the same guys that do well consistently but on any given Sunday you have about 20 drivers, or more, that could win the race. In my experience of watching some F1 races it seems that there are more passes and action in NASCAR. What I like the most though is what takes place on pit road and in the strategy of the crew chiefs. In F1 I think it is more the responsibility of the driver and not as dependent upon the whole team working together. With more pit stops in NASCAR you have more opportunities for good or bad things to happen and it's that aspect of the unforseen events that makes watcing the race exciting. People that put down NASCAR often point to the oval tracks that they race on as an indication of it's driver's skills but trying to control those cars surrounded by 30-40 others takes unbelievable concentration and guts. The drivers also have to be effective communicators (a lot of open wheel fans don't think many of them can string together more than 2 syllable words) because the best ones always seem to get better by the end of the race. You know what it comes down to is it's just different, not better or worse. It's like saying that superbike races are better than supercross. You cannot compare the 2 but there are merits to both and it takes incredible talent to dominate either. The action in both can be really exciting but at much different speeds and in different ways. Come to think of it you don't see the motorcycle fans slamming each other the way we do sometimes.

Answer 8

I love NASCAR. Have been an F1 fan for a long long time & can not get motivated about this season even though it starts in less than 2 hours. The NASCAR secret is strategy, from the first lap to the last it's flat out racing(except for the yellow flag laps), took me a long time to get into it, but will watch it as often as I can & yes Jeff Gordan(24) would whip a lot of F1 drivers as he proved in a Williams at the US GP a few years back. The cars are "basic", spaceframe chassis, metal body work & a big V8. If you want to watch other motorsports what about Australian V8 supercars or moto gp, The DTM is good but is better live than on tv.

Answer 9

If you don't like NASCAR, don't watch it. No big deal. Everyone has their own preferences on what they want to watch. I like NASCAR because I feel the racing is better. It seems in the last few years that where you qualify in F1 is where you finish. There is not much, if any, passing, and pit stops are a joke. There is hardly any strategy used in F1 at all. And, if you go off the track in F1, you are pretty much done for the day. It also doesn't help that there is a lot of in fighting in open wheel racing. I don't mind watching some CART and IRL, but F1 is a thing of the past for me. Not enough excitement and the races are very short.

Answer 10

If you really want to know about NASCAR i have two suggestions go to a race. I've been to F1 and Indy car races but NOTHING beats all 43 of those cars rumbling past you at 200mph. You can feel it in your chest. If you cant make it to a Nextel cup race, try your local track. Dirt/pavement racing has the same excitement. And while it won't shake you to your core like the Cup cars it's a great time for the family and you would be supporting a local track.

Answer 11

simply attend a race. also, not knowing first hand but, I have been told that the NASCAR drivers are, much more accessible to their fans, than F-1 drivers. when I was young, Richard Petty, used to hold an open house, at His home, every year. Petty Enterprises, was in His back yard, in those days and, Richard and, His Dad, Lee, would sit on the front porch, signing autographs for fans all day and, if You wanted, You could walk over to the shop and, check out the cars. Elliott and, Hermie Sadler still do this at their place in VIRGINIA.