Smith wants fire, more money to the winners in NASCAR
Quote selected text Published November 1st, 2007 in NASCAR News
Bruton Smith said he plans to have some extensive discussions with top NASCAR executives about changes he thinks the sanctioning needs to make. And Smith said he’s somewhat optimistic.
“Next season we’ll see a softer side of NASCAR,” Smith said. “If Jeff Gordon gets out of his car and shoves somebody, don’t give a big fine.
“Remember when A.J. Foyt would win the race and still go out to whip your butt?
“Those things helped to build this sport. We need some of that. I hope it doesn’t sound wrong. But I like for people to show their emotions.
“Fining drivers just turns the fans off.
“And winning is everything in any sport: So we need to put more money on the nose, on the winner. That’s another recommendation I have for NASCAR.
“Putting a bunch of money on 43rd place is an absolute joke and we should end that.
“Whatever the total purse is, the winner should get 18 percent.”
That would make most races pay about $1 million to win.
“Say the winner gets $900,000 to $1 million,” Smith said. “Then drop it down to $400,000 for second place. You know those guys would be trying to win.
“Those are some of the things we need to do. We’ve been tweaking this sport but tweaking it in the wrong direction.”
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I think these are awesome suggestions. NASCAR needs to be brought back to its roots a bit. when racin was racin, not a contest of sponsors. its the natural evolution of the sport to turn into what it is now and i dont think nascar has done a bad job… after all this is their first shot at making and keeping the sport big… but i agree that they may be tweaking it the wrong way. good call Mr. Smith. Let’s just make sure the drivers dont seriously injure themselves or others.
I Think this guy has a screw loose. I realy hope NASCAR is smarter
then to listen to this clown. I love NASCAR as what it is right
now.
Finally, somebody has some sense about what made this great sport. Hopefully, things will get done to change things back to the way they were before Brian France took over. People love to see the drivers push and shove after a race. It lets us know that they are not NASCAR robots that say and do what they are told . I don’t mean let them draw blood or anything like that. Just show some emotion without getting fined or have points docked. So give them heck, Bruton.
yes NASCAR needs some fire put back in its chili but Bruton Smith is also one of the reasons it’s become the dog and pony show we tune into every weekend.
Hmmmmmm, I did not post this…So this is void.
I dont think money matteres to Cup Drivers these days
Money for wins is not what I think will motivate drivers. Maybe 50 years ago, but today’s driver has unlimited potential to make money away from the race track. Look at someone like Tiger Woods. Golf is like his 2nd job after signing endorsement deals. Fans don’t want to see the winner get a lot of money. To the fan the win is the most important thing. The bottom line is Nascar needs parity. If Jimmie and Jeff battle it out every race and for every championship you can kiss Nascar goodbye. Fans don’t want to make time to watch a race like that. Fans want to watch and believe their driver has a chance to win. Find a way to make it a true level playing field and put the racing back in the driver’s hands.
Mr.Smith has some good points. Do away with the top 35 in points thing… Start all the races as they qualify.Have heat races…Use the same format as the World of Outlaws use. Racing would be Racing…. The strokers would have to get with the program ..
Nascar has changed folks….pick-up trucks,beer drinking rednecks and,rebel flags have been replaced by the Preppy jet setters driving the million dollar motor coaches…And Nascar catters to that style…..Hell look at the fence they put up to seperate the good ole boys and the preppys in the infield……looks like maxmium security to me………Go to the dirt track,watch a outlaw race, everyone sets in the same type seats .And the fastest cars win….
So how much longer till this guys dies and we dont have to listen to this dribble anymore?
Ok Mr Smitth why dont you take the lead and give the winner of every race that you host at your track One Million dollars?
Believe me, he could.
“I Think this guy has a screw loose. I realy hope NASCAR is smarter
then to listen to this clown. I love NASCAR as what it is right
now.”
Ok i dont know how long you have been a fan, but the man you said has a few screws loose helped build this sport. As for liking the sport the way it is, you obviously dont know much about it. This sport started with the heated emotions, and what made it grow, o wait standouts like Awesome Bill, the Intimidator, The Silver Fox, good Ole DW, the young Rainbow Warrior. O and dont forget Rubberhead, the King, and Smoke. These guys didnt help the sport by tiptoeing around like they do today, they showed emotion, carried drama, acted like REAL people. They were the weekend warriors, that battled 500 miles. Not turned laps for 500 miles to get seconds, thirds. They wanted it all. MOre money to the winners would definately bring back the rough tough racing that used to happen. and letting the guys display emotion would keep fans interested more. Now its not whos gonna be mad cause they got bumped its whos getting fined for the bump and then whos gettin fined cause they showed they were agitated at getting turned to the wall at 180+mph.
Lawyers are just licking their chops over stuff like this. Getting in a guy’s face or a little shove are one thing, but when they escalate into sucker punches and body slams, you’ve got lawsuits. Stop the insanity. And Foyt looked like a total tool the time Arie told Foyt that his driver didn’t win. A. J. shoved Arie over a curb and shrub, then told him to get the ____ outta here. A short time later it was revealed that Luyendyk actually WAS the event winner!
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MATT ON THIS ONE. THE PUSHING AND SHOVING ALWAYS KEEPS ME WATCHING JUST LIKE WHEN I HEAR THE DRIVER’S AND CREW CURSING CAUSE THEY GOT BUMPED. I LAUGHED SO HARD THE FIRST TIME I GOT MY NASCAR TRACK PASS AND HEARD THEM YELLING AND CURSING ON IT. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH DID. IT’S WHAT MAKES US WANT TO WATCH EVERY WEEK. I DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT BUT IT KEEPS ME WATCHING EVERY WEEK. IT’S BORING WHEN THEY SHOW NO EMOTIONS AND JUST DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT SOME AGGRESSIVENESS. I’VE WATCHED NASCAR FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS NOW AND IT SEEMS TO GET A LITTLE MORE BORING WITHOUT THE EMOTIONS.
Bruton just needs to keep his trap shut,nascar has gotten some what boring but who does this guy think he is really.
Andrew wrote:
Agreed. I see what he’s trying to do, but I really think the driver’s
are in it for the championship and wins. Mainly championship.
I think any driver in contention for the Chase will take a top5/10
over a risk of wrecking the car for an extra 400,000$ win.
Ok to answer some of you peoples [Comment Edited] question, Bruton Smith is the owner of a few tracks on the Cup Circuit. He wants fire and emotion to get peopl more interested in goiong to the races rather than just read about it on Monday.
Wonder if he’s part of the rumours of Nascars sale?
I know who bruton smith is,that was my point hes a owner of tracks not the ceo of nascar why should nascar listen to anything he says.
That could be true shady,like I said I cant stand the guy dont trust him at all,after all he was the goof several years ago that was talking about forming a series to compete against nascar an steal drivers.