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by Art Weinstein
On the road again
April 23, 2008
More blog postings from Art Weinstein
Random thoughts on NASCAR as I drive toward Talladega Superspeedway:
- Many critics say NASCAR fans just watch races hoping to see a big crash. I hate to validate that theory, but TV ratings for NASCAR Cup races at Talladega Superspeedway are usually among the highest of any race each year, and I think part of the reason for that is the prospect of seeing a huge crash.
On a personal note, I enjoy the two races each year at Talladega – and the two at Daytona International Speedway – more than any others because the winner always seems in doubt until the last lap. The race is always up for grabs. (OK, maybe those fans watching the Talladega races on TV are watching not for the crashes, but for the last-lap pass.)
- Congratulations to Danica Patrick, who recently won her first IRL race. Already the most famous IRL racer, primarily because of her gender and good looks, now she has a victory to prove she has some talent.
So, should NASCAR intensify its diversity program to find its own Danica Patrick, as some critics are calling for? I vote “No.” There is no institutional discrimination against women or other minority drivers in NASCAR. Most team owners would put anybody behind the wheel, be it man, woman, black or white, if that driver could win races. Sooner or later, NASCAR will have its own Danica Patrick – and a Tiger Woods – but those drivers should make it on their own merit.
- NASCAR should drop the Nationwide Series race in Mexico City. The first year or two, it seemed like a great idea, but with attendance down dramatically from the race debut in 2005, and the extreme expenses – and safety risks – incurred by teams to travel down there, the event has outlived its usefulness.
- Many critics say NASCAR fans just watch races hoping to see a big crash. I hate to validate that theory, but TV ratings for NASCAR Cup races at Talladega Superspeedway are usually among the highest of any race each year, and I think part of the reason for that is the prospect of seeing a huge crash.
On a personal note, I enjoy the two races each year at Talladega – and the two at Daytona International Speedway – more than any others because the winner always seems in doubt until the last lap. The race is always up for grabs. (OK, maybe those fans watching the Talladega races on TV are watching not for the crashes, but for the last-lap pass.)
- Congratulations to Danica Patrick, who recently won her first IRL race. Already the most famous IRL racer, primarily because of her gender and good looks, now she has a victory to prove she has some talent.
So, should NASCAR intensify its diversity program to find its own Danica Patrick, as some critics are calling for? I vote “No.” There is no institutional discrimination against women or other minority drivers in NASCAR. Most team owners would put anybody behind the wheel, be it man, woman, black or white, if that driver could win races. Sooner or later, NASCAR will have its own Danica Patrick – and a Tiger Woods – but those drivers should make it on their own merit.
- NASCAR should drop the Nationwide Series race in Mexico City. The first year or two, it seemed like a great idea, but with attendance down dramatically from the race debut in 2005, and the extreme expenses – and safety risks – incurred by teams to travel down there, the event has outlived its usefulness.
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