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NASCAR makes right calls with new schedules
Looking forward
In case you haven't seen it yet, here's what NASCAR did: Atlanta's second 2009 race will be held on Sept. 6, Auto Club Speedway's (formerly California Speedway) second race will be Oct. 11 and Talladega's second event will move to Nov. 1.
We have been plagued by weather issues at Atlanta Motor Speedway at both of their races for many years. I feel bad that the track has always been in a no-win situation because of weather concerns. It's going to be so nice to see AMS finally have a decent spot on the calendar, even though there are no guarantees we'll get great weather during the Labor Day weekend. However, the odds for great weather are even better thanks to the date change. The folks at Atlanta may be a little disheartened because they are no longer a race in the championship Chase, but they are going to be in a much better timeframe for weather.
Weather was also a big sticking point in southern California so it was good to see them willing to change their schedule. Going there on Labor Day weekend has been a huge mistake. First, it's 105 degrees even when the race starts at night. Second, it's the last weekend of summer on the West coast — people are going to go to the beach or the mountains instead of Fontana, Calif., for the NASCAR races. Their new date in the Chase will likely attract a much larger crowd.
I think everybody is winning on this, particularly Auto Club Speedway.
Yeah, Talladega Superspeedway was also involved in this deal, but we have raced there in the past in October so I don't think we are going to realize any difference. Talladega is still in the Chase, and it is only a few weeks difference so the weather shouldn't be too difficult — I don't have a strong opinion either way and I don't think fans will either.
I've already received a few e-mails from fans wondering about why new tracks like Kentucky Speedway or older tracks like Rockingham weren't included on the schedule. Unfortunately folks, I think it is time to let those dreams go because it's not going to happen. It's not about the tracks themselves, it's the fact that those venues are not located in heavy, saturated markets. Like NASCAR CEO Brian France and President Mike Helton have said in the past, we are tapped out of races at 38. So the only way we will likely see a new track on the Sprint Cup schedule is if a shift is done by a track owner.
One fact that may be overlooked about the new schedule is that there is an additional off week on the schedule right before the Labor Day weekend. I spoke to Chad Knaus early this morning and he said that the neatest part of the schedule is the additional week off just two weeks before the start of the Chase. Instead of going 17 weeks without a break, we will only go 12 straight before the end of the season and as a result the teams will feel re-energized going into the title-deciding portion of the year. I don't think it'll change which teams run well during the final stretch, but it will allow teams to recharge their batteries and we could see an improved title fight because right now some of the teams just get worn out right before the Chase and don't have anything left in the tank to fight for the title during the final 10 races.
Looking beyond the Cup schedule, the addition of Iowa Speedway to the Nationwide Series schedule is ideal in my eyes. We need to go to Iowa — it's in a good market in the Midwest and all of the teams who have tested there have given nothing but good marks to the venue. The .875-mile oval is the perfect little-sized racetrack.
| Speed Mail Larry McReynolds |
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What I'm hearing about Iowa is that the track is fan and competitor friendly. We go to so many tracks that were built recently — and older ones, of course — that didn't involve all the people that should have been involved like fans, drivers, etc. Take for example Auto Club Speedway. That 2-miler is an awesome speedway, and hopefully I am not offending people here, but whoever designed those garage areas ought to have their toenails plucked out. They are atrocious — you can't even jack up your cars in those garage stalls. They need to level those garages, and I don't care that they are just 10 years old.
On the other hand, you look at a track like Kentucky Speedway and they involved a lot of people to get things right. Darrell Waltrip was involved in a lot of design aspects concerning the track and things around the racetrack itself — and he wasn't the only one. As a result, I've only heard good things about the track. Iowa Speedway is the same way, which is why I'm glad they got a Nationwide date.
FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.
"How to Become a Winning Crew Chief" is on bookstore shelves, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.
Member Comments
The 3M 400 last week was a boring wate of gas.......COT's at these ovals have proven to be lack-lustre. The Cal. track is a sister track to MIS, so I see little change in the level of fan enthusiasm. By the way, whats with all the hype about the race being in the backyard of the Big 3? Toyota is clearly being given a pass with regard to engines/rules, and nothing about any of the NASCAR-built COT's has anything remotely to do with the street versions of the cars. Bore on Sunday, Ignore on Monday.
Goaliebart8/22/2008 8:30:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I would like to have seen a second Darlington race. Since I live in PA I'm happy there are still 2 dates for Pocono. I know it's not a popular track, so I'm ready for the abuse. LOL I do think they should make both Pocono races 400 mile events.
jh09638/22/2008 6:21:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
They need to add MORE road courses to the schedule. This is where the driving talent comes to the top...not mindless, boring, restrictor plate races. If your pit crew hits the mark and gets your car set up right on the big ovals you can just sit back and make left turns for 3 hours. Not exactly seat of the pants driving which is/was the heritage of NASCAR. Cutting back the short tracks in lieu of the large ovals was/is a mistake also...in my opinion. It's all about the $$$ when they dump the shorttracks. The big ovals seat more butts in the seats and that's all NASCAR cares about anymore. If Bristol hadn't filled in their small oval with new seats, that would be gone also. How anyone can consider the present day situation with the COT and the big ovals as exciting makes no sense to me folks.
Sanbar38/21/2008 17:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm also glad that Iowa got a Nationwide date. The Sprint Cup change was good. Is the fall race at California going to be at night?
gonger938/21/2008 13:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Lefty and Bricky: I agree with your last posts 100% percent. The Fontana track has always been a snoozer and with the COT it is almost unbearable. Ugh... Pen to calendar.. 02/25 and 10/11.. catch up on sleep. : )
SmokenHot8/21/2008 9:14:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I think it's great the Iowa Speedway gets a shot at a Busch...er, I mean Nationwide race. It will prove to be an exciting venue for stock car racing (which it already has.) I think the fans here in Iowa will prove NASCAR made the right decision to add it. I know I'm planning on going there instead of the massive screw up that was the Brickyard this year. Go Iowa Speedway...I will view the comments later. I' m going to B l a c k W h i t e K I S S . c o m >>>> where i keep meeting many single black and white beauties who love sports...
AKeysWannabee8/21/2008 1:20:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Waddy,,,i dont guess your a fan of multi- tasking,, shift up,,shirt down,, turn right,, turn left,, gas on ,, gas off,, brake on,, brake off
oldschoolracin8/21/2008 1:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm not sure because I really don't care but I think yotas main office is in So. Cal.
williefast8/20/2008 15:23:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
55 I'm more often then not in the pool during those races and run in on occasion to see whats up, then I look online to see the outcome.
williefast8/20/2008 15:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Here is a new schedule for Japcar that should make most happy.<br /><br />2009 Japcar Schedule<br />--------------------<br /><br />Number of races run: none<br /><br /><br />--------------------<br />End of 2009 schedule<br /><br /><br />That way all of the tracks can switch dates and everyone will be ok with it. I think this schedule I am proposing will alleviate any concerns that Japcar has about different dates.
3wasthegreatest8/20/2008 13:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Drop the two silly road races and gain some flexibility. Low fan interest and poor TV coverage make these two non Nascar type races losers. I know a lot of people find something else to do on these certain Sundays.
waddy8/20/2008 12:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
A night race at Vegas would be terrific!
55CrownVic8/20/2008 9:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Larry Mac I see nothing good in this call, what they should have done is take the race away and move it to Las Vegas ar Kentucky. The Kentucky truck race looked to be a big attraction from what I saw on the tube. As for good looking women, I see them every where I look and it don't cast a dime.
williefast8/20/2008 8:30:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I competely agree moving the Cali race from Labor Day, Living in So Cal there is too many things to do that weekend like Larry Mac said. I am a huge fan but i even still go to Lake Havasu or the local Lake beaches, ect... and the race stll draws over 150,000 people, not its 180,000 capicity is still over most of those smaller tracks you people speak of. Anyways the weather is also too hot at that time of year here. October makes perfect sense and i will be there!!!
RoushPower8/20/2008 7:47:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
What about Bristol in the Spring? It's not exactly warm in March. I've been going to that race since 1999 and there has only been 2-3 yrs with good weather. If you don't know, the track is surrounded by camp grounds and the avg temp is low 40-50s in the evening. Not very comfortable and I notice more empty seats each year. It either snows or rains in TN that time of year and I wish they would move this race for the fans to enjoy. Thanks
psu428/20/2008 6:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
will anyone else be glad when this yr is over
runwhatyabrung8/20/2008 5:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Fontana is NOT a fun race...<br />It blows...
RCRKHI8/20/2008 5:08:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
As most, myself included, are very disappointed that the "favored track" located somewhere in California, after many, many race with minimal attendance is now rewarded with a chase date. After years and years of bad weather, using the week after Daytona and never, ever being offerred a better date, had race dates taken away for minimal attendance. Darlington had a race date removed for lack of attendance, with no offer of a better race date and was penalized with the Mother's Day weekend for its sole remaining race date. Now, California after covering the seats with tarps, telling TV NOT to pan the empty seats and saying the folks were either underneath buying souvenirs or in Hollywood at the OSCARs, GRAMMYs, EMMYs or TONI's will now be able to attend the race at Fontana. We understand losing race dates for lack of attendance. What we do NOT understand is how the "favored" status was bestowed on California and why they are not subject to the same criteria as the "southern" tracks. When Kansas City gets their second date, as we all know they will, it will be hard pressed to take the date from anywhere but California and it will just add another "cookie cutter" track race date as if we don't already have enought mile and a half race dates.
taylorlarryw8/20/2008 4:42:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Didn't expect Nascar to award a Sprint Cup race to Kentucky... maybe good sense will prevail next year, with a little help from Bruton Smith. By the way, the Sparta track is within an hour or two of 6 metro markets with TV households totaling over 6.5 million. Few tracks anywhere can rival that. So let's put that market size argument to rest right now. And sorry, Indy is NOT a good spectator track, Kentucky was built for good racing and outstanding fan sightlines. Oh yeah, the racing there is the best on the Nationwide Series, the track sells out every year, and the Nationwide purse is at or near the top. What more could Nascar want? We who live along the I-71 corridor are getting tired of watching races too far away to travel to with today's gas prices... how about it Nascar? Bring it to the track DW built!
bigbearvo8/19/2008 19:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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