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Despite driver comments, banking will remain unchanged at Talladega
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Monday, November 02, 2009
NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors race in a tight pack through a turn at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday.
Elmer Kappell
NASCAR Scene
Related stories: Ryan Newman uninjured after flipping, landing on roof in horrifying Talladega crash
Final crash wipes out Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon – and championship race?
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Jimmie Johnson brought up the 40-year-old question following the NASCAR Sprint Cup race Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway: Should the 33-degree banking at the track be changed?
And the answer, for the 40th consecutive year: No.
“We’re not,” Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey said Monday of the possibility of altering the track. “We get this question every Monday morning twice a year. No. We’re not going to tear up the banking.”
Two scary crashes, a typical byproduct of restrictor-plate racing, along with an extended period of single-file racing left some fans – and drivers – critical of the racing at the track Sunday.
“The number of lead changes were very similar to what we’ve had in the past,” Humphrey said. “The accidents at the end were very unfortunate, very scary. It’s disappointing on Monday morning to hear all the comments from everybody, but I really don’t know how much it differed from the last several races that we had. … Around here, we hang our hat on lead changes and close finishes.
“We continue to have those, and we had those again yesterday. Unfortunately, the last lap ended up under caution.”
Talladega has a tradition of horrifying wrecks as NASCAR grapples to find a rules package that balances safety and competition.
“I guess it kind of goes back to it has been here for 40 years. It has been a part of the sport for 40 years and hopefully and probably [will] be a part of the sport for another 40 years,” Humphrey said. “It’s so hard to try to figure out what is everybody talking about and what is everybody saying? You’ve got it coming from both directions.”
Humphrey acknowledged that attendance was down about 15 to 20 percent from a year ago. Talladega was part of a three-track schedule adjustment this year as its race was moved three weeks later in the season, and Humphrey said he still likes the date.
“The economy certainly is one thing we heard our fans say [for not coming],” Humphrey said. “While we think the Halloween weekend was a success for us and was a lot of fun for us to promote and for our fans, we did get some comments from folks that the date change didn’t allow them to come. … It has been a gloomy fall from a weather standpoint. It’s been a different fall than we’ve seen in the past.”
Last April’s accident where Carl Edwards got in the catch fence and eight people were treated for injuries did not impact attendance, Humphrey said.
“Where we saw our downturn was in the towers and was in the Allison [grandstands],” Humphrey said. “I don’t feel that kept folks away.”
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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24 responses to "Despite driver comments, banking will remain unchanged at Talladega". Post a Comment.
mrclause said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 2:14 PMTypical CEO speak, out of touch, look for the bottom line above all else! Seeing the last wreck with Carl and Ryan and this one with Ryan and Kevin, Somebody sure needs to look at how close we came to losing two drivers. Had Carl's rear end hit just a little more crooked and the rear corner gone into Ryan's windshield just a little deeper into the cockpit, would Ryan still be healthy or even with us? Had Ryan's rear corner gone into Kevin's cockpit the result would be the same. Yes, the cars flipping are pretty stable on impact, but, look past that to the others cars involved. NASCAR brags so much so much about safety, but, there is one big question to ask. How many have been sacrificed before NASCAR was PUSHED into newer cars, safer rules. NASCAR has a corporate mentality supported by greed and bullying. Talladega is another dead or seriously injured driver waiting to happen. The only answer is to remodel the track before that happens, anything else is fluff. Take a hard look at Ryan landing on Kevin's car and at Carl landing on Ryan's car. That's where the danger is.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportktgrosch said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 3:56 PMOf course not why make any changes. Just like Carl Edwards said in the spring, they'll keep doing it until somebody dies. That's the smart thing to do, right Brian & Mike?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjuniegirl said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 4:07 PMMartin and Gordon tried to get on out there and race like men yesterday and what did it do for them? It gave Johnson the championship. They should have got in line and followed him all day.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjim294 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 4:20 PMUnreal - “We get this question every Monday morning twice a year. No. We’re not going to tear up the banking.”
Report as AbuseMaybe there is a REASON you get that question every Monday and some day I PRAY that you listen and I HOPE that the converstation on Monday doesn't turn into "Now that a driver and several spectators were killed by the accident are you ready to change the banking Mr. Humphrey?"
I hope your "tradition" of "horrifying wrecks" DOES end and I wish all the drivers would simply boycott this race next year.
I just hope someday he gest the message. It's NOT good racing and it's NOT safe.
I will NEVER attend a 'Dega race unless they change the configuration of that track or other changes that will stop this insanity. Get your head out of the sand if you thought that was a good race.
Perhaps a suggestion for Mr. Humphrey to add to his exitement factor - add a jump in the middle of the front stretch! How about magnets on the cars to keep them bunched up for your close finish?
His response simply makes me SICK and I hope that the fans respond in continued declined attendance and lower TV ratings.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSpacemaker24 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 4:30 PMI absolutely hate Talladega and the racing it produces. The fact that NASCAR is stupid enought to include a track like this in the chase is almost beyond belief.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportzracer01 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 4:35 PMSince Talladega is an ISC track and ISC is owned by the France family and the France family is NASCAR then don't expect them to put any of their rapidly diminishing dollars into the speedway. They may have to live of the few dollars they have left after they've destroyed a once great and growing sport. RIP NASCAR.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrwilliamhayes said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 6:09 PMFRANCECAR has a vested interest in keeping things the way they are.AND SO I---T W----I---L---L BEEEEE.AMEM+++++BROTHER
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 6:13 PMOf course the TRACK will remain the same, it costs too much money to fix it, and THEY have their heads, not in the sand but up you know where. - - - Maybe one of the head honcho's need to be strapped into or TO a car and let them see CLOSEUP, firsthand what it is REALLY like. - - - WHO the heck CARES about the lead changes??? THEY mean absolutely NOTHING. It is not from good driving or better cars that we see the lead changes. It is just a matter of who bumps whom, when and what group is sucking up at that moment that causes that. Strickly aerodynamics. Like MARK said: "THIS isn't racing"! - - - I would never pay to go and watch a race at THAT track. I wouldn't be able to switch channels in the middle part that way.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 6:14 PMShould have read: Strictly.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportelliebh said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 6:44 PMI agree with Jim294. I have a feeling that most of the drivers do not like "so called racing" at this track. Why do you think Johnson was hanging at the back all day? He didn't race all day. He just tried to stay away from any racing? problems. Is this what we want from our Champion? No, I am not a Johnson fan---but, what his team did was smart.
Report as AbuseI think the drivers should boycott this track until they do something to make it good racing again.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportandygray212 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 7:38 PMI can't believe what I'm reading from these comments. Correct me if I'm wrong, but all of these drivers CHOSE this sport. The possibility of death has always been there, regardless of what car/truck/track/day they are on. I myself, find Talladega to be the most exciting and unpredicable race(s) on the circuit! I will stand up for all the people who think restrictor plate racing is the best there is!
Report as AbuseMRCLAUSE: We could have lost those two drivers, but we didn't. They could have had a plane crash, they could have had a car crash on the way to the track/airport/wherever, but they didn't. Things happen and you can't control everything.
Maybe everyone should look back through the history of the sport to see how many deaths have actually occured racing at Talladega, not many. It sure is dangerous, but NASCAR has come a long way in the safety of the sport. Probably in another 10 years, it will be even safer.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobbygordonfan1 said:
Nov 2, 2009 at 10:01 PMI can't believe anyone would want to make changes to Talladega, it's one of the tracks that make the sport what it is. With that said I've never seen a car flip like Ryan Newman's did last Sunday, if anything the COT needs larger roof flaps because I don't think they work as well as they did with the larger wing that is being used.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjbbigrod said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 3:43 AMWell, you don't HAVE to change the track. IF you don't though, then just close it down. It is now and always has been total garbage. To put it mildly. IF you like next to no racing and lots of wrecked cars, then it is what you want. But I like to think that most of us have at least a little intelligence and can't stand THAT kind of "racing". Using the word racing with a little tongue and cheek.
Report as Abuse- - - I always said when I raced that they should REQUIRE EVERY fan to race at least one time in a stockcar so they can see what it is really like. THEN maybe they would have some appreciation for REAL racing, not crashfests.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportphillipwafford said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 5:45 AMTalladega IS nothing more than one great big "PARTY" for anyone that goes there. I've been there 3 times twice back in the 70's and then again last year and when I left I said I would never go back. in the 70's there was no restrictor plates or aero just horsepower.now people go just to "PARTY" and sleep off their hangover during the "RACE?" then the last 10 laps the "BIG ONE" wakes them up to go home. we could see the same racing by standing on a overpass at the interstate at least the vehicles would look like a car.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeefjurski said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 8:35 AMwho remembers the times when drivers would smoke in their car while racing, fill their roll cage with fuel and richard petty hanging half out of his car at the darlington wreck he had? They need to grow a pair. Racing is racing with always the threat of the worst happening. Nobody forced you into being a driver at the top level.
Report as AbuseChopping the banking would never happen. Would cost way too much money. And can you imgine driving down that backstretch? it would take forever. It would be like Indy with their long straits. It would not be good.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRVD420 said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 9:25 AMThey need to reduce the banking in turns 1 & 2. Knock the banking down to about 20 degrees. Then take the plates off.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmrclause said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 10:01 AMANDYGRAY212 Guess you are one of the people Ryan Newman was talking about. One death is far too many! Do you work for NASCAR? Ask JR, ask Kyle Petty, There are several more to add to that list of suffering, matter of fact it's far too long of a list. Is it a part of our sport, yes! Is that how our sport should be controlled or judged, no! Talladega is a recipe for disaster.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportGoMark said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 1:00 PMNO ANDYGRAY212 ----you didn't really say that did you?
Report as Abuse"Maybe everyone should look back through the history of the sport to see how many deaths have actually occured racing at Talladega, not many"
So how many is too many? I bet Kyle and JR will differ on your opinion! That just makes my stomach turn, you really think it is ok to kill someone because they went into a sport that is dangerous???? I'm just dumbfounded that you could really think that..... WOW... I usually find myself a calm person but that really got my dander up! How long have you been a fan anyway? just wondering because you have the new fan mentality!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:02 PMJIM294 - there is a reason they get asked that question about the banking - it's called knee-jerk reaction to the spectacle. "Now that several drivers and spectators have been killed....." You'll have to look to a place like Thompson Speedway for that - at Talladega it is not going to happen - the cars are too restricted for that to happen.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:04 PMGOMARK - the remark you object to is the truth. What is dumbfounding is that people go on the premise that what we see at Talladega is going to lead to fatalities - yet it is the "less" dangerous "smaller" tracks that produce fatalities. "Talladega is a recipe for disaster" is false.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:04 PMWhy are people saying the racing is boring there? There were 58 lead changes among 25 drivers, competitive depth impossible to achieve without enormous incidence of passing.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Nov 3, 2009 at 10:13 PMthey don't change Darlington cause it's to tuff to tame...lol
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» Confirm Abuse Reportrhm1288 said:
Nov 4, 2009 at 7:08 AMAs long as there are butts in the seats, they will continue "racing" at Dega. If people quit buying tickets, they would look at some type of change.
Report as AbuseI would rather see 2nd dates at Darlington and Vegas in exchange for the "races" at Dega.
Better yet, put Homestead in the Dega slot and make Vegas the last race of the season. Then they could have all the banquets right away and save travel money for the teams.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportandygray212 said:
Nov 5, 2009 at 11:58 PMWell said STP43FAN.
Report as AbuseMRCLAUSE: I read the newspaper today and guess what? I read about 4 people being killed in a car accident. Rest assured there are many people suffering from their loss/losses. Does that mean we should not drive cars? The possibility of death is there too.
GOMARK: Dale was killed at Daytona and Adam was killed at New Hampshire. I never said it was ok for anyone to kill anyone. The fact that these racers died was a risk that they took when they strapped themselves in the car. Pushing 200mph around narrow roadways with concrete barriers beside them, I'd say that's a little dangerous. I'm not sure what the "new fan mentality" is, but I have been one for 25 years.
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