Are NASCAR fans starting to think the fix is in?
Quote selected text Published December 30th, 2007 in NASCAR News
Only in a sport where the eighth-fastest qualifier starts at the back of a 43-car field is something like this possible.
We’re talking about the transfer of owners points from Kurt Busch to Sam Hornish Jr., which assures Hornish of a spot in the first five Sprint Cup races in ‘08.
On the surface, it’s a minor story, one that seemingly won’t have much impact beyond Bristol, when Hornish will have to get in on his own. But deeper down, the swap is yet another example of NASCAR playing God, which to the sporting fan translates to the fix being in.
Real quick, let’s get this out of the way: We understand what NASCAR is trying to accomplish business-wise. We get that sponsors need to have certain assurances, and this points swap assures the sponsors for both Busch and Hornish that their logos will be racing around Daytona come the third Sunday in February. But here’s a question: Who cares?
Sure, sponsors are forking over millions, but fans are, too. In fact, it could be argued that a $100 ticket, two nights at a $250, price-gouging hotel and a couple of days off work is a bigger financial burden on a fan than a $15 million primary sponsorship is on a Fortune 500 company.
What we’re hearing over and over is fans don’t care about whatever rules NASCAR has in place to take care of its owners and sponsors. They just want to see the fastest 43 cars race on Sunday.
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Thats Right——-Only the fastest drivers on the track Racing for the big dollars.. Fans pay big dollars to watch them race and they should see only the fastest compete….
Very good article. I bet at Daytona a couple of the cars that miss the race will be faster than 1/2 the cars in the race. I say only the top 20 should make it on points and the other 23 race to get in.
Something has to be done….but yeah, at least I’m glad to see outside they typical HMS conspiracy theory:-)
Justin4Roush wrote:
Daytona you have to race your way in.
I agree, race your way in, and then you get points for each lap you run, the position you are in when you cross the start/finish line each lap. That way, at the end of the year, the driver with the lowest points, meaning he was up front the most, is the champion. REAL SIMPLE. You would get rid of the sand baggers, because they could not overcome getting 35 points a lap, when the leader is only getting one point a lap. Very easy system…..
But see, if they did that, then the caution would not help the golden boys to a point where they could come from behind and win the race by only leading a half lap. Well, they could win the race, but they couldn’t get the big points for winning, the driver who was up front all day would have the fewest points. A 200 lap race, if the driver lead all the way, would only have 200 points at the end of the race. If a driver stayed in 10th place all day, he would have 2000 points. You tell me who would want to be in the back all day and try to win on the last lap……None This is the only way you can do it and NASCAR can’t FIX it to help those who lag behind to stay out of trouble……
personaly I like it the way nascar has it set up now. but here is an ideal The under top 35 could buy the top 35’s points. that way the big money could get their under 35’s into the race. Then some of the over 35’s small teams coud make big buckos. then they could still try and get their car in at qualifying. and pocket all the big buckos they were paid. M. Waltrip did that in 2006
the only fair way is the fastest 43 race..no sponsors input in any way.
I don’t think the “fix” is in. I think Stupidity reins. Give Past National Champions and last years winner an automatic and let EVERYONE qualify for position.
The only drivers who should be allowed provisional positions are past champs
and maybe the last winner of that week’s race. I have no confidence what so ever
where NASCAR is concerned. They make rule changes to benefit large sponsors
and teams like HMS. For example: why did NASCAR limit teams to four cars
versus three? HMS is the only tem w/ four cars, most have three. In my
opinion this is one of the reasons the ratings are starting to tank, no one
wants to see a cheating team win when some of the fastest cars/drivers
(like Boris Said) can’t even get in the race because of guaranteed spots.
My two cents….
No, fans don’t think the fix is in. They KNOW the fix is in. This is just another prime example.
Its pointless to even argue the top 35 or the fastest 43 cars their never going to change it,the big companies who spend millions and millions to sponsor cars and such fuel the sport,fans come to see the stars not old washed up has beens or the michael waltrips of the sport who have been racing 20yrs and maybe have 1 or2 wins,but yeah nascar is fixed as far as caution flags and such thats obvious.
I happen to think it should be the top 43 cars in the race. No top 35 people locked in.
Even if my favorite driver has to sit out a week, I would rather it be fair that way. Sam Hornish
would have been in most of the races he tried for last year if it wasn’t for the top 35.
He qualified good enough but got bumped because some drivers who were locked in got in over him.
Same thing for the MWR cars. They would have been in more races also.
I know what you mean 2fan but nascar is never going to that,if certain drivers crashed or blew engine etc. in qualifying an miss race or races there would be even more empty seats an even worse tv ratings nascar isnt gonna let that happen.
NASCAR is an entity all in itself. It answers to no one. Just think about the way Big E’s death and autopsy were handled. NASCAR didn’t even cooperate with the local police for crying out loud! They wouldn’t let them properly investigate and came up with their own conclusions. They told us that what they wanted and we were supposed to accept it as fact. Every other death in Florida that year was investigated by the local authorities first. This wasn’t good for the sport. The abuse and use of past champion provisionals time has passed too. It’s gotta go. This swapping of owner’s points has to end. NASCAR is losing fans and sponsors at a time they should be gaining. It’s gonna get even worse with Mr. Magoo (Brian)in charge. They will always do what they want. They will always play god. Unless of course a congressional investigation is called for. I don’t see that happening. The fix IS in. Just ask Tony.
Brian France is THE Bud Selig of NASCAR.
This is so true! I hope Brian France reads this article becuase its the writing on the wall for the future of NASCAR and especially the Cup series! Fans want their hard “earned” moneys worth when they go to the race track and want to see drivers who have “earned” their way into races! Period. Thats how it is…like it or not Brian France and NASCAR!
Personally i will never buy another ticket until things are changed and they go back to real racing. what i mean by this is no guaranteed spots, no gimme back my laps, and if your not fast enough load it on the trailer and go home. But what i would love to see is three heat races to determine your starting position. the fastest 43 get in the final 200 lap main event, that would be something sweet but i dont think it will ever happen.
I think they need to do away with owner points all together. It’s BS……..Look what happened to Boris Said. He raced his way in then he can’t race due to rain! Come on NASCAR let’s get back to old school racing. When rubbing was racing. Let all 43 teams try to qualify on time.
NASCAR wants to know why ratings are down. One look at the starting line up will tell ya why. I didn’t even bother to watch the Jeff & Jimmy show the last 10 races. All I know is I’ll never buy another ticket to a race. I’ll just go to the race’s where hubby’s company is one of the sponsors. No more going to like 6-7 races a season. Guess I’m just going to Daytona 500, Phoenix & Louden in September. No more, I’ll be damn if I spend another penny on tickets or merchandise.
yes i agree that we want to see the fastest cars, but i would be very sad if my fav driver didn’t make the race if i had tickets to it… like if he crashed in qualifying or something he wouldn’t make it and i wouldn’t be happy. i kind of like the top 35, but i think it needs to be lowered to like 20/25.
well basically everybody who had to qualify to make the race EX. kyle petty hardly finish high in position or they dont even finish the race by crashing.
one provisional start a year, if you almost miss a race twice, you dont deserve that second shot, if your a past champion, you get 2 provisionals, 43 fastest make the race still, but you have a provisional, and use it for the most pivotal race of the year, if you dont make daytona, your pretty much out for the year points wise, unless you really rack the points up the next race.
Fastest 43: Go hard or go home
NO PROVISIONALS AT ALL FOR ANYONE - PERIOD!!!!!!! Race your way in on speed every week or go home!! It is the fairest way!