Reply #26: WHAT A FUCKIN' SHOCK

[catnhatnh]

to see nascar bashed on this board. Because you perceive it as "southern" and "wasteful of fossil fuel". And you are half right.

Because it started in the south in the 50's.And didn't show up nationally till the 60's. If you think it's a "southern thing" now you must admit you've ignored the Wide World of Sports since 1965 or Nascar tracks as far north as New Hampshire or the two westernmost in California.

Wasteful of fuel...well, Say a big race, some of the 43 cars drive 500 miles while getting 5 miles per gallon...So, somewhere under 4300 gallons...which of course is dwarfed by the 100K or more fans who drive in...yet I wonder if you compare the 32 NFL teams playing 16 or more games per week times 16 weeks a year plus playoffs....then add air flight costs to fly in for high rollers coast to coast...I guess you could argue which sport "wastes" more.

Of course Nascar has lead to many safety innovations in cars. And added fuel economy moves like air tunnel testing to the forefront.Football of course also endorsed the idea that helmets reduce the damage of multiple concussions so common there.

The last nasty Nascar scandal I recall was when Tim Richmond was smeared for having aids. I can't remember a betting, or firearms violation, or drug enhancement deal ever happening. Our last felon was Jimmy Johnson who did time for running white lightning in the 50's.

While you bash nascar, you should realize this...a large number of folks on this board LIKE CARS...we may have very divergent veiws of what is neccesary for personal transport in the future, but I think many of us recognize that a sport that uses familar technology and stuff available off the shelf that can field over 800 horsepower in a normally aspirated V-8 engines may have value even if only as a test bed.

In short...it AIN'T a southern thing...It's a car thing and unless you live your life without one your critisism is duplicious.