The early years, with people like Junior Johnson and others, were fueled by "White Lighting".... Seems like the history continues... Nascar Driver Derek White Targeted in Tobacco-Smuggling Operation - Bloomberg What goes around... Comes around...
Well, at least you don't need overload springs on your '50 Ford to run smokes. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUFt42urcmk"]Thunder Road (1958) Car Scenes Part 1 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]
At least they managed to get the sport back into the news with something other than their dwindling TV ratings
Speaking of, is this new racing format of segments a ploy to get ratings? I don't really mind it, but it's kind of odd, and the Daytona 500 just shouldn't be touched, imho. Anybody watching this year?
A well reasoned perspective here: http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/5/14814838/nascar-new-rules-2017-daytona-500-photos-stages
Yeah, been a fan for years but that is certainly fading. The new format is to prevent drivers from laying back, staying safe till the end of the race is near. You get three races in one. I'm quickly loosing interest.
Good article. I use to be a huge NASCAR fan, huge. I spent time in front of the TV every Sunday, but that has seriously declined over the last five years or so. There are quite a few reasons why but mainly because of what the article pointed out, Super Speedways, Restrictor Plate racing can get pretty boring the first 450 miles. This format is really no different than how small town short tracks do it. I am glad they are getting as little more technical with out becoming F1. In a few more years F1 will have cars that will pilot themselves.
I still sit on the couch turn it on and watch the start of the race. As the laps go by I take a nap and most times wake up with less then 50 or 30 to go so it's perfect. If the wife pops in and says "are you even watching the race?" I just grumble something and close my eyes again.