tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post4903013396555380257..comments2024-03-05T06:32:37.180-05:00Comments on The Daly Planet: 2010 Flashback: Those Footsteps Might Sound FamiliarDaly Planet Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-23696171206356778862010-11-29T09:00:47.591-05:002010-11-29T09:00:47.591-05:00JD, do you know what the status is with Artie Kepn...JD, do you know what the status is with Artie Kepner with Fox's NFL coverage? I just noticed this weekend he was not the director for the lead team nor with the #2 team. I was wondering what impact that could play with Fox's coverage in '11.MRM4https://www.blogger.com/profile/04045747192945960087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-59171411349615431422010-11-28T22:18:53.081-05:002010-11-28T22:18:53.081-05:00Anon 1:15am, I can agree with what you wrote, but ...Anon 1:15am, I can agree with what you wrote, but the problem with the Chase "playoff" is that's it really not a playoff in the real sense of the word. While the stick/ball/puck sports have a true playoff, and the TV networks can focus on the few teams left, it's not that way in Nascar. If it were, there would only be the final 12 drivers, racing in the last 10 races. But unfortunately, ESPN treats the last few races in the Chase as if it were a stick/ball/puck playoff because they only focus on the drivers who have a shot at winning the Cup while ignoring the other 31 drivers. Can you imagine the screams of fans if the TV networks totally stopped showing NFL/MLB/NHL teams once they were eliminated from playoff contention? Cowboys fans, Viking fans and others would not be seeing their teams play after this weekend because they're out of the playoffs. So why can Nascar fans be as outraged by the ignoring of their favorite driver just because he's not in the Chase? Why aren't the sponsors of those teams yelling into their phones at Brian France and the bigwigs at ESPN and demand to know why the team they sponsor is totally and completely ignored. I just cannot imagine why this isn't happening.Darcienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-35748200715302841532010-11-28T19:45:21.645-05:002010-11-28T19:45:21.645-05:00Today in Norfolk, Fox had a 1PM Redskins game. CB...Today in Norfolk, Fox had a 1PM Redskins game. CBS countered with infomercials, NBC had skiing then figure skating, the ABC affiliate went with "Stormstories" then a home improvement show and ESPN had bowling then a rerun of a college football recap show. <br /><br />When Fox and CBS had the late afternoon games, ABC had a mix of infomercials, NBC had more figure skating, and ESPN was showing billiards.<br /><br />That's right folks, with the NASCAR season over, ESPN has replaced it with bowling, billiards and reruns. Doesn't appear anybody else really thinks it is worth putting serious competition up against the NFL either.Matt TSBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-48576990721075510382010-11-28T19:10:01.190-05:002010-11-28T19:10:01.190-05:00Na$car simply fails to understand the concept of a...Na$car simply fails to understand the concept of a playoff. It's not difficult. It's even simple. At the end of the season, the teams that didn't make the playoffs go home. They don't play any more. You can't watch them, and they can't affect the playoffs. And each week thereafter, each remaining team either advances or goes home.<br /><br />Of course, Na$car can't do anything like that, since the sponsors of non-playoff teams would be deprived of exposure.<br /><br />Oh, wait, isn't that pretty much how it works out anyway...<br /><br />We have a point system which was intended to bring teams to each race, and nowadays discourages driving to the limit to gain positions. <br /><br />We have a "chase". This is a family friendly web site, so just imagine what I'd say about that.<br /><br />We had an effort to build safer cars turn into an effort to make cars easy to measure and make life easier for Na$car, even if it meant Cup turned into IROC. Meh, at least IROC had cars you could recognize, even if they were all the same.<br /><br />We had broadcasters. Now, with few exceptions, we have performers. Several of whom are wanna-be Howard Cosells, except Cosell KNEW his stuff, and was nowhere near as full of himself as DW.<br /><br />We had Bill France, Sr and Jr. They spoke to the fans, and WERE fans. Now we have Brian, who seems seriously out of touch.<br /><br />I expect it all to get worse before it gets better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-16685049611090880262010-11-28T14:57:42.006-05:002010-11-28T14:57:42.006-05:00Agree I lost some of my favorite writers when the ...Agree I lost some of my favorite writers when the "it's not a playoff" playoffs started. They just gave up writing for a sport they loved for so long. And even said they wouldn't follow it as fans either. <br /><br />The "it's not a playoff" playoffs can have someone run away with the title as easily as the old points system or can have a tight battle the entire time. <br /><br />Truly if one person dominated all season then HE deserves to win it all. I'm not saying that because Happy was robbed I'd say it if it were Kylie. <br /><br />I'm disturbed of some of the rumors I've heard of what they've been talking about to make changes. There's enough conspiracy theories of manipulation as it is and resetting the points with 2 or 3 to go just throws any remaining credibility out the window! And if you're going to add 15 might as well add everyone. I don't get what's "good" about expanding the field. <br /><br />Also agree don't understand why TV has changed their coverage. Do we really need an "if the season ended today this is how the points would be" at DAYTONA! Depending on how things shake out the points picture doesn't matter the first handful of races. Due to strategy and other factors someone that you know full well will end up fighting for 35th by seasons end can end up with a top 10 at Daytona & can stay there for a good number of races depending on how things shake up. And a "name" who is always in the top 10 can have an accident can be 43rd & they'll be back in the top 10 within those same handful races. <br /><br />Heck Scott Wimmer darn near won the 500 a few years ago based on strategy. <br /><br />But they really need to get rid of this manufactured drama once and for all & just let the boyz race like they did in the old days. I don't care if the champion wins 0, 1 or 36 races, if he was the BEST man the entire season then he deserves it. Heck you can have that now with the "it's not a playoff" playoff. There are always several guys who win ZERO races but make the top 12. And if they can capitalize on others mistakes it IS possible for them to win the championship in the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-74668203783716993602010-11-28T13:56:36.372-05:002010-11-28T13:56:36.372-05:00It seems like there are two logical choices:
1. A...It seems like there are two logical choices:<br /><br />1. Accept that Nascar will never come close to the TV numbers that the NFL puts up and just move on.<br /><br />2. Accept that Nascar will never come close to the TV numbers that the NFL puts up and so end the season early and get out of the way.<br /><br /><br />I really don't think there is anything that either Nascar, ESPN, or any other broadcaster can do to counter the NFL juggernaut in the fall. <br /><br />Interest in Nascar appears to be reverting to its natural level. There is nothing wrong with that, but it will require some big adjustments on the part of a lot of people. NASCAR needs to prepare itself for much smaller rights fees they next time around. The teams need to accept that sponsorship will be harder to come by and less lucrative when secured. Fans will need to accept that races will probably become harder to find, not easier, with the next TV contract.<br /><br />As has been previously explained on this site, no one broadcaster wants the whole Cup season as it currently exists. Maybe with a shorter season that would change. Offer up a six and a half month product (mid Feb - late Aug) and see if you can get one broadcaster to step up and take the whole package, then consistently promote it and be an actual "partner" in driving the growth and health of the sport. <br /><br />ESPN/ABC thought they could do decent numbers with the Chase, that obviously isn't happening. Maybe they don't come after the fall portion of the schedule next time, or bid a much smaller number. Maybe everybody lowballs the last 10-12 races.<br /><br />Football has always been competition for the end of the racing season, but things have changed and I think those changes have to be acknowledged. <br /><br />First you have Sunday Ticket. 10 years ago if you didn't like the game that was on in your area, you were out of luck. Maybe you'd click around and settle on the race or some other event. Now for about 5 or 6 bucks a week spread over the year, you can see almost every single game and either never miss your favorite team, or always watch the best game of the week. No need to settle for a lesser game. <br /><br />If you don't want to buy the package you can head to almost any sports bar and for the price of a dozen wings and a couple of cokes take in every game at once.<br /><br />The other major change is the explosion of fantasy football. I don't really get it, don't play it, but enough people do that even NFL teams are modifying the information presented at their stadiums, with stat-trackers and more out of town updates rotated through ther scoreboards so that fans in the seats can easily keep up with "their" players or various teams across the league. <br /><br />If NASCAR insists on going up against the NFL in the fall, they quite possibly will have to accept being on a lesser outlet - think NHL or Indycar. On the other hand, if they shorten up the season they might have the opportunity to become a major focus of one broadcaster's sports department, instead of filler programming for three different ones.Matt TSBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-12762292614733019192010-11-28T12:37:01.149-05:002010-11-28T12:37:01.149-05:00The Chase has a very basic flaw in it from a struc...The Chase has a very basic flaw in it from a structural standpoint. NASCAR set up a points system many years ago that rewarded consistency. The reason was very simple, to insure full fields for every single race so the sanctioning body could insure purses for the drivers. Promoters were assured that they would have full fields. This is also the basis for the qualifying system, to give a break to teams that show up for every race.<br /><br />Needless to say the economics of NASCAR have changed since the 1950's and 60's. They no longer have to worry about full fields each week. Promoters know they have a goldmine every weekend. Yet the point system for the first 26 races is still set up the same with a slight tweak for the winner.<br /><br />Then for the last 10 races those points are meaningless and a 10 point bonus is added for each win. It's as if a bunch of runners showed up for a marathon pacing themselves until suddenly the race is stopped and a select few of the field are lined up and told that it's now a 3 mile sprint.<br /><br />NASCAR has to decide what a point structure is supposed to reflect. In my opinion if you have one it can only be used for a full season, not part. If you want a playoff then just have a race for those 10 drivers. I personally don't care for that option so I would just do away with the Chase format. It doesn't give us a real champion.bevohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07186936436307739896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-18292481352499628272010-11-28T10:19:09.409-05:002010-11-28T10:19:09.409-05:00I went back and read the columns in the links in t...I went back and read the columns in the links in this recap. My opinion of the chase and its impact on how much I enjoy the races has affected me hasn't changed. <br /><br />I hate the chase. It has ruined almost all the fun I used to have watching and attending races (well the ugly car and Johnson's dominance has played a part in that as well).<br /><br />Right now I don't need to watch the last 10 races. So if France decides to do a one race winner take all championship, I'll have even less reason to watch and the "championship" will mean even less than it does now.<br /><br />Until the advent of the chase, I was involved in the season right up until the end - even if my driver wasn't going to win the big trophy. The main reason was TV was going to cover the race. Now they don't and I take a lot less pleasure in watching or going to the race.<br /><br />Like Cale said -- people have just lost interest.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/10828669350024430018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-39848618806834306432010-11-28T01:15:57.367-05:002010-11-28T01:15:57.367-05:00Unfortunately, the Chase is creating a lot of the ...Unfortunately, the Chase is creating a lot of the problems facing NASCAR right now. The fact of the matter is that the first 26 races of the season only matter marginally in the big picture, which is more than disappointing. <br /><br />Then we get to the last 10 races where we have artificially reset the points. Now, obviously NASCAR is not going to get rid of the chase, but why does the TV coverage have to change because the points have tightened up? Before we had the chase there were definitely seasons in the past where the points were fairly tight among a few racers with 10 or less races left. In those cases, did the focus become solely on the championship? Of course not! So what is the difference now? <br /><br />Just because it is a "playoff" doesn't mean the coverage should change. The championship means no more now than it did before the chase was formed, and championship battles existed before the chase without this 'focus' problem. It seems as though the media suddenly views the championship battle as more important because it has a fancy meaningless title added to it.<br /><br />Last, how many fans watch the races so that they can see a close championship battle? Then I would ask, what is the point of watching any race but the last race? I personally watch NASCAR races for the race itself and track point standings after the races have finished. I watch for the racing. If the last two or three races of the season come and there is a close championship battle, well that is great, an added bonus, but I still want to see great racing on the track during those races as well.<br /><br /><br />The Chase will probably never go away. But television could sure make it a lot better by refraining from pointlessly hyping it beyond oblivion ignoring all racing to focus on a championship battle that never got so much focus before the chase started.<br /><br /><br />Oh, and the 2003 Busch and Truck championships are proof that the chase is not required to have a close championship battle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-14550199821936031032010-11-27T20:52:31.087-05:002010-11-27T20:52:31.087-05:00In short, the Chase sucks, always has, always will...In short, the Chase sucks, always has, always will, expanding it will only make it suck more. I've hated the chase format from day one.<br /><br />Contrived excitement is just that, nothing more, reading Brian France's response to questions merely proves the NA$CAR only hears what they want to hear. I spent less time watching NA$CAR coverage this year than ever in the past, I don't see that changing next year, especially where E$PN's coverage is concerned. I absolutely loathe E$PN's practice of coming from commercial and turning the broadcast over to the monkeys in the trailer, Daugherty is nothing more than a cheerleader, Rusty is a parrot who swings with the wind. The booth isn't much better, Marty Reid is just a travesty in the booth, honestly I spent little time time watchin any coverage of the last 10 races, and the majoity of that time I was listening on the radio, I dont see anything changing that for me unless some MAJOR changes are made across the board.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040078181862665503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-66610536481089478662010-08-13T13:55:50.463-04:002010-08-13T13:55:50.463-04:00GlenC1 -- oh man, that's even worse then! NAS...GlenC1 -- oh man, that's even worse then! NASCAR isn't for everyone and oddly enough that was one of the best things about it. I think NASCAR didn't realize that it being so unique could be a positive and by trying to mainstream it have actually wound up causing more problems. The law of unintended consequences comes into play.<br /><br />I agree, too - there were lots of boring races with the old car, too, but this car is so darned UGLY and because it was supposed to fix the aeropush problem and didn't. then add in the points racing stuff because of the chase and it all takes a toll from the fun factor.<br /><br />The new Nationwide car is a lot better looking.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/10828669350024430018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-80829467513403836792010-08-13T10:17:04.506-04:002010-08-13T10:17:04.506-04:00Gina, it wasn't the all star race...she was ta...Gina, it wasn't the all star race...she was talking about the cautions, lol. Couldn't get why they were just riding around behind the pace car! Obviously it was her first race but even though her daughter gets free tickets, she'll never go back. Some people will just never enjoy it, I think. On the other hand, I know people who don't like/understand football & never will.<br /><br />Anon 7:43...now there's an example of a selective memory. There were a LOT of boring races with the old car too. Any caution free race at a midsize track can easily get the field stretched out and many cars lapped. And then it usually comes to pit strategy and fuel. I don't really mind that myself. Just a different aspect.glenc1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-55298921214964778242010-08-13T09:05:22.887-04:002010-08-13T09:05:22.887-04:00GlenC - she must have been at the All-Star race --...GlenC - she must have been at the All-Star race -- geez, yes, the last couple of years it has gotten so disjointed with all the intermissions that it makes me crazy. I'd almost rather that they just ran 2 20 lap segments and then the final 10 lap shootout -- I'd get home before 1 a.m. that way and see a more exciting show -- since to me that one's a show, not a race.<br /><br />Richard in NC -- man, that really disappoints me -- I heard twinkies would last forever!GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/10828669350024430018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-75318487807467433022010-08-13T01:04:59.069-04:002010-08-13T01:04:59.069-04:00I often want to know if ESPN won the rights to the...I often want to know if ESPN won the rights to the Broadcast or they where bidding against noone and won by default. Once the NFL starts the NW series wil suffer as will the fans.. King Brian and the folks in the Ivory Tower will understand the NHL is biting at their heals when it is time to renogotiate the contracts... But every family member will have made their fortune and moved on...<br /><br /><br />Thanks...E-Tickethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03373431350836360535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-19498183903750304892010-08-12T22:39:51.962-04:002010-08-12T22:39:51.962-04:00I will never understand the constant comparison to...I will never understand the constant comparison to the NFL. No other major league sports makes NFL comparisons and yes the MLB suffer some rating lost on Sunday Night Baseball. Football and Racing are so very different. The constant complaining about NASCAR is mind blowing. When was it better? Before the COT? Maybe as I agree the car is just ugly. However, the can pass has been a staple sentence since??? It has been that long. Football fans don't like everything about the league, or the refs or the players or the broadcast but nobody complains like NASCAR fans. But I will say you might get what you want this time. There is so much media blasting and negativity around this sport you do not need to worry about attracting new fans. You may get your core fans back but that still won't bring the rating up enough. The NFL gets new fans every year. All major league sports try to get the new fan base it is the way they grow. It seems that the 'core' fans do not want to GROW the sport which is fine and okay. However, when you don't grow the world passes you by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-66585123387066982082010-08-12T21:10:47.137-04:002010-08-12T21:10:47.137-04:00I completely agree with JayJaydean, the commentato...I completely agree with JayJaydean, the commentators are what make the race. Many have said MRN has better coverage because of how they cover the racing, nothing fancy, just tell us what's going on.<br /><br />Ever since I could remember there were boring races. There's always races where you know it's going to be long green runs and fuel mileage, then there are those you know will be nail biters. Remember the Talladega race this spring? Amazing!<br /><br />You always have to remember it comes down to business. To cover the race, TV has to include ads and commercials. Hey, at least they don't stop the race just to go to commercial! FOX and ESPN do an amazing job covering the races considering how much money, man power and technology goes into setting up a broadcast. I won't even mention TNT...sorry but, wide-open coverage is the only thing they brought that didn't put me to sleep. I think we all knew ESPN would take a while to mature back into today's Nascar, and they have done a great job.LVI56http://www.twitter.com/lvi56noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-34596542653366335182010-08-12T19:43:50.353-04:002010-08-12T19:43:50.353-04:00You know what, I always thought that the damage wa...You know what, I always thought that the damage was done when Nascar went to the COT car although its safer. Sure the economy has played a role but I don't think it would have been this bad if Nascar had kept the old car.At least the racing was good with that car.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-2762048659490798142010-08-12T19:41:06.301-04:002010-08-12T19:41:06.301-04:00I've watched Nascar racing since it has been t...I've watched Nascar racing since it has been televised. Even with my faulty memory, I remember boring races back then. We continued to watch them because there was little else to watch. With today's choices, we have become pickier and more vocal. Of all the races I have watched, I best remember to Talladega race where Bill Elliott made up two laps under green and won the race. I have no idea who led the race and the camera concentrated on Elliott as she passed the entire field twice.<br /><br />I think the drop in race attendance is partially because of the nationalization of the sport that spread tracks throughout the country. The most dedicated fans are in the southeast. They cannot afford to make the long trips to far away tracks. If they do make the journey, the cost is enough to go to two or three races located close to where they live. They go to a distant race and leave seats empty at two or three other races.OSBORNKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06265276174788619591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-75684660961040584362010-08-12T19:39:04.152-04:002010-08-12T19:39:04.152-04:00GinaV24- having done extensive research I can assu...GinaV24- having done extensive research I can assure you that Twinkies (esp strawberry filled) will not last over a week.Richard in N.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-54166602252132558692010-08-12T19:32:56.266-04:002010-08-12T19:32:56.266-04:00Maybe it's time everyone took a step back and ...Maybe it's time everyone took a step back and remember that NOT EVERYONE LIKES NASCAR, and started gearing the broadcasts toward people who already like and follow NASCAR instead of the (according to the ratings) few people who are new to the broadcast.<br /><br />Example: Have you ever watched Australian Rules football? I found myself watching a match on ESPN a few weeks ago because someone Tweeted that it was a huge match and there was really nothing else on at the time. It turned out to be a GREAT match, and I was riveted despite the fact that I only had a mild understanding of what was going on. The footy commentators didn't seemed the least bit concerned in explaining the elementary aspects I didn't know, either. They left it up to me, the viewer, to be "in" with the action and to figure it out. What a concept!<br /><br />You know when my favorite races to watch are? Monday races that are due to rain-outs. Why? Because the guys in the booth KNOW that the only ones watching are die-hards and they cater to them (us) appropriately. DO THAT ALL THE TIME and the noobs will figure it out for themselves.<br /><br />(I'd also point out that SPEED's F1 commentary team does a better job of straddling that "hardcore fan/new fan" line than any of the Cup broadcasts do. ESPN would do well to take some notes from Varsha, Hobbs, and Matchett.)JayJayDeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16059890599911855488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-17416356652241033772010-08-12T19:20:06.288-04:002010-08-12T19:20:06.288-04:00I have seen multiple comments kvetching about driv...I have seen multiple comments kvetching about drivers settling for "just points racing."<br /><br />Wasn't the point before to collect the most points? Do those fans saying that believe that in 2004 drivers just decided to stop trying for wins and decided to only race for the best points they could get?<br /><br />The structure is different, the goal is the same - get the most points.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-34968617822406915372010-08-12T18:01:45.295-04:002010-08-12T18:01:45.295-04:00Gina...your story reminds me of a friend who went ...Gina...your story reminds me of a friend who went to her first race at Charlotte a few years back. She *hated* it. Bored to tears. Couldn't understand why they kept having those 'intermissions.' LOL.<br /><br />I think this is a good conversation. I'm still watching every week, so obviously I don't think the racing is bad (there are a few bad apples that rarely produce a good race. Thank goodness Fontana just lost a date...) I have never believed in the generic drivers stuff, and that talk was around long ago. I do think they censor themselves for sponsors, but that's just common sense. And frankly, I'd rather hear that than some dude making an arse of himself. If we thought they were all the same, no one would pick one to root for....frankly, I think Kasey Kahne is a good guy but has the personality of a wet mop...yet he's still a popular driver (and no, it's not just women....) <br /><br />as for the hyped stuff--I don't like it, but I have to admit....at the Glen last week, there was a Danica souvie trailer. She wasn't even there, and yet...there was a LINE to buy things, it was as busy as Jeff Gordon's. I glance over and Kurt Busch's trailer has not a single shopper. Just saying...I don't get it, but they'd be foolish not to bring her up at all (it just needs some balance.) I hated, as did many of you, the 'Jimmie' media hype last fall. Drove me to the radio more than once. And if they do it again, I will be watching more football.<br /><br />I do think if they keep tweaking the cars, they can probably make the racing better some places, and that would fix a lot of issues. If we could get more guys like Ricky Carmichael and Brad K it would help. I don't root for Brad, but I think he's interesting. Anyone other than Johnson winning the championship would help. And getting the 88 to win a race or two. At least getting competitive...that'd work wonders for the ratings eventually.glenc1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-55156382065094531162010-08-12T17:44:05.988-04:002010-08-12T17:44:05.988-04:00Richard--all new outlets put up the biggest storie...Richard--all new outlets put up the biggest stories first, and they are not usually happy things. As you say, their job is to get attention. But as long as I can find the info that I want, and it's balanced & not tainted by personal opinion, that is all I'm looking for. It's not that hard if you look *beyond* the front page. I also object to people painting 'the media' with the same brush, as if it's one entity. The National Enquirer considers itself to be a newspaper, I'm sure. Would I believe their reporters instead of say, just about any other daily in America? No. Mike Joy is the media, so is Michael Waltrip (or someone thinks he is.) I wouldn't put them in the same class either. Not ALL reporters bash NASCAR.Gatorfannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-70396460277082048932010-08-12T17:39:20.024-04:002010-08-12T17:39:20.024-04:00Richard in NC -- don't know about the shelf li...Richard in NC -- don't know about the shelf life on cheetos, but I hear that twinkies will last forever.<br /><br />I do get your point about all the "world is ending" stuff -- for instance I don't watch my local news any more since knowing how many people have been shot and killed overnight in Phila, Delaware and other parts of the Delaware Valley is too depressing a way to start and end by day.<br /><br />That said, I would just like to hear facts, not speculation, from the media reporting on NASCAR. It often seems there are only 2 types of commentary -- those looking through rose-colored glasses or the world is ending stuff. Somewhere in between there is reality.<br /><br />I only know for myself that I don't watch as much as I did and I can trace that lack of enthusaism not to the media telling me the racing is terrible, but to my own experiences - sometimes from TV and sometimes from being at a track and being sorry I'm there or at least wishing for a place to relax until the last 20 laps. I don't remember that happening as much before the ugly car and the overwhelming emphasis on the last 10 races of the season. Also there's the fact that, I'm tired of Johnson, Johnson, Johnson all the time. The trouble is - if he's winning, the media has to cover it, even if it makes me want to scream.GinaV24https://www.blogger.com/profile/10828669350024430018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-3133146821354140192010-08-12T16:35:54.191-04:002010-08-12T16:35:54.191-04:00The NFL will always be the NFL, but seriously you ...The NFL will always be the NFL, but seriously you all make it out like Nascar is dead when the NFL is on! Its not trust me, like the previous person stated the NFL will take away ratings from all the other sports as well but we dont talk about that. I love the chase and glad its here all sports need a playoff and yes even Nascar! I dont know why all the hate cause we have a chase. Oh i only watch the race not the chase.... thats like a baseball fan saying im not following the playoffs im just watching the game??? What???? Comeon people if you dont like Nascar why do you watch, why do you come on here to bash em? why why why just leave the sport alone and go watch the NFL and see some grown men tackle each other w a ball woohoo sounds like fun to me :) The chase is exciting it brings me closer to the tv to find out whos doing what and I love it. Its a shame all you cant come to grips with the chase and accept it for what it is. Dont forget the Colts were the powerhouse team last year and if the NFL didnt have playoff they would of won the championship all the way but guess what thats not how sports works. Some of you need to stop the bashing and watch the racing its much better that way.....Jonathannoreply@blogger.com