http://www.planetf1.com/editorial/6845683/Defending-F1-s-USA-Rivals I find this article enlightening and entertaining. I have never been to a NASCAR event.
The F1 fanboys get all upset when you mention NASCAR, and instantly make comparisons or mock it. But due yourself a favor and attend a race. It's not F1, and doesn't attempt to be. But it's highly entertaining. Watching cars 3 wide goin through turn at 190, or standing along the front straight as they thunder by, is something you will never forget. Plus garage, drive access etc.... There's a reason it's been so successful. Kevin
The better comparison would be F1 to IRL, which is turrible. Supposedly they're re-merging with CART, or already have, but I have yet to convince myself to care. But yeah that is a great article, very refreshing to hear a positive european perspective.
I would like NASCAR to include more road coarses, for instance the Indianapolis F1 course. To see the cars through the road course section and the high speed bank would be the best of both worlds.
Enjoyed the article. I'm glad an F1 site is giving Nascar some props. I too was a Nascar basher for many years. I followed Juan over to Nascar and have become a strong follower of the sport ever since. Seeing a Nascar race in person for the first time I was amazed how much sliding these cars do in the turns and how much car control it takes to push to the limit. I think Kimi's rally experience will definitely help him, just like the good dirt trackers do well in Nascar.
nice article, but totally disagree with this statement: one similarity between NASCAR and F1 is that the teams, at least the top ones, construct their own cars. Hendrick, Roush, JGR, RCR etc have a lock on technology that pushes out the smaller teams. in any given NASCAR race, 20 of the 43 drivers are basically window dressing with no chance to win (see also: start and park). even the mid-level teams buy their cars and/or engines directly from the big guys, so they stand a chance.
Having had the insider tour at Hendrick Motorsports a few years ago I came away with a whole different perspective on their technology than I had held up to that point. I used to be a GTP and F1 snob but what I saw changed that for good. I still can't watch it on tv - the commentary is inane and they talk like all the fans are morons (don't go there...). Couple that with the gimmicks and the rule manipulations and the behind-the-scenes deals and I can never be a fan but at least I have a better appreciation now.
Road courses races are the only NASCAR events even moderately interesting to me. I'd buy a ticket to see the stockers on that Mickey Mouse infield course at Indy. As long as Michelin isn't the only tire supplier. The 500 will NEVER be run on anything other than the oval.
Well, the chassis are made to the same specs, the same template, so in theory all the cars are the 'same'. Motors- the teams that have or had factory help recoup some of that money by being suppliers, Tony Stewart's team used RHR chassis and motors his first year, not sure about today. The mid-level teams buy chassis and lease motors simply because of the cost of running their own programs is prohibitive, in relation to sponsor dollars. The IRL 500 ? That we know, but the stock car race is a 400..
