NASCAR article

[Lugnut]

From USA Today - Sports

NASCAR drivers roll out welcome mat for fans

(snip)

It's a simple equation: The more other professional sports screw up, the more people love NASCAR.

Look at what has littered the pro sports landscape of late: the NBA brawl at the Palace, baseball's burgeoning steroid nightmare, the arrogance of Barry Bonds and the NHL's utter disregard for its fans.

All the numbers point to the fact that American professional sports fans truly are fed up, more so than at any other time in this era of the me-first athlete. TV ratings for most sports continue to sink, slowly but surely. The level of disgruntlement with the steroid issue in Major League Baseball is surprisingly high, not only from fans, but from the media. Hockey fans who have put up with the nonsensical fights for years say the NHL has really done it this time.

Then we have NASCAR. As the disconnect between most pro athletes and their fans grows greater by the day, hour, even minute, NASCAR refuses to allow its drivers to move farther than an arm's length from its fans.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2005-02-23-brennan-nascar_x.htm

[Heyo]

1. Go Ryan Newman!!

Go #12!!

:headbang:

Heyo

[Sandpiper]

2. How many Non-white NASCAR drivers?

Zero.

How many Confederate flags at your average NASCAR race?

Lots.


I'm sure the suits in charge of marketing would like to change that, but for all of the talk about how great NASCAR is, it's a predominately white sport with redneck roots.

[Heyo]

3. And this matters because... ?

:hurts:

Heyo

[Sandpiper]

6. Because I don't consider confederate flag waving to be a good thing

I know, it's just "southern heritage" though.

And I'm sure the NASCAR diehards would embrace drivers who weren't cornfed caucasians with open arms.

I mean, they were so pleased when Toyota was allowed to compete in the Craftsman truck series. ;-)

[DrGonzoLives]

19. Uhhh

Most drivers did not have a problem with Toyota entering the truck series, it was one or two loudmouth idiots who started screaming about it. No fans I knew cared either, they thought it would make things more competitive.

As for your rather poor attempt at race-baiting, do you hate hockey, too? I mean, after all, there are only a very few non-white players in that league, mostly from Canada.

After all, we must make sure you are ideologically pure.

[Sandpiper]

24. You can't deny it, so you try to minimize it

Sad.

Btw, does the Klan have recruiting drives at the Stanley Cup Finals?

[Heyo]

25. To be honest I've never seen..

a confederate flag shown in associate with a NASCAR race or seen one at a race or on TV coverage of a race. Try to get the NASCAR=racist thing out of your head, my friend, that's just not how it is.

And I'm sure the NASCAR diehards would embrace drivers who weren't cornfed caucasians with open arms.

I suppose you meant that in a sarcastic way, but yes of course they would. Everyone is welcome. NASCAR fans come together for a love of the racing, no other reason. I guess I don't usually consider the racial makeup of something when deciding on it's merit. Mayba it's just me.

I mean, they were so pleased when Toyota was allowed to compete in the Craftsman truck series.

Blasphemy! :o NASCAR is Ford (:puke:), Chevy, Dodge, Pontiac. I'm not that big on Toyota trucks coming in to NASCAR, but I'll keep an open mind. It was built on American muscle cars, the whole thing stemmed from souped up cars used to run moonshine. I'm just not sure if the rice burners fit in NASCAR, as fast as they are. When Hudeo Fukyama came over from Japan and raced Cup races, he drove a Chevy. :-)

Besides, I don't watch the truck series. But, I sincerely hope I never see a Camry out on the track during a Nextel Cup event. ;-)

Heyo

:hurts:

[DainBramaged]

4. Your couldn't be more wrong.

You only see what you want to see, and have probably never been to a NASCAR race. I guess Delaware, Pennsylvania, Watkins Glen, New England and California are mostly redneck venues too?:grr:

[Sandpiper]

7. Yeah, I only lived in North Carolina for 11 years

And went to college a half hour's drive away from the North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway.

What would I know about it.

[DainBramaged]

10. Not enough to enjoy the sport, that's for sure.

I dislike hockey, but it isn't my place to comment on the politics of the 'furreners' who dominate the sport. You dislike NASCAR, fine, block out Speed channel and FOX sports so we can enjoy it.

[Sandpiper]

11. I don't enjoy motorsports in general, I don't enjoy NASCAR

Because of the racist element.

I can say for certain that at the NBA, NFL, and MLB games I've been to, I don't recall anyone selling Confederate flags in the parking lot.

The reason I call NASCAR a redneck sport is...

Because it is a redneck sport.

[DainBramaged]

13. You must be so proud of yourself for telling us what is wrong with NASCAR

Call Jeff Gordon and ask him if he's a redneck. Call Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace too. Oh, and don't forget about Tony Stewart. He'd probably invite you for a little face time to discuss his redneck roots too.

[Sandpiper]

15. Just for you

White Supremacists Target NASCAR's Daytona 500 For Major Recruitment Drive


Update: A small airplane towing a banner displaying the slogan: "Love Your Race: www.natall.com" made several passes over the Daytona 500 event. At least two white supremacists were seen distributing National Alliance literature at a parking lot near the Daytona Speedway. A white supremacist Web site claimed that at least three different fliers were handed out near the racetrack.

_________________________________________


Ft. Lauderdale, FL, February 18, 2005 … One of the country's largest and most virulent anti-Semitic and racist hate groups plans to undertake a major recruitment drive at the Daytona International Speedway during NASCAR's Daytona 500 Race on Sunday, February 20.

Among other claims, the neo-Nazi National Alliance (N.A.) says it has arranged for an airplane to fly over the racetrack with a banner that reads, "Love Your Race" and promoting the group's Web site. Members of the group also plan on handing out fliers in the parking lot near the nationally televised event.

<snip>

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Extremism_72/4650_72.htm

[DainBramaged]

17. Good you don't like NASCAR, I don't like you

Join my ignore list. Maybe someday you'll live up to your own standards.

[DrGonzoLives]

21. So, then

Skokie, Illinois must be a bigot redneck bastion. After all, the Klan once marched there.

[Sandpiper]

23. Recruiting and marching aren't quite the same thing

n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. Also, NASCAR is run by a bunch of overt right wingers and...

their drivers are a bunch of right wing Republicans too!

Any Southerner who is a Republican is a RACIST! They used to be Democrats until the Civil Rights movement. Tony Stewart endorsed Haley Barbour for Governor of Mississippi!
:puke:

[DainBramaged]

8. I guess you've made up your mind, haven't you?

What would you call any corporate entity? Liberal? So what. What state is Matt Kenseth from? Know what his politics are? Who cares.

I guess since NASCAR isn't 'blue' we can't enjoy it.

By the way, own any real tools?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. ......

:eyes:

[frylock]

12. of course, you would never see predominately white fans at an nhl match..

or Confederate flags at a 'Bama game. Unless you have ever been to a race, I would suggest that you really aren't qualified to say who the "sport" appeals to. I've been to several races at California Speedway, and I have seen many people of color in attendance, and even *gasp* interracial couples.

For the record, there is a black driver. His name is Bill Lester, and he drives a Toyota in the Craftsman Truck Series.

http://www.billlester.com/

[DainBramaged]

14. Heaven forbid the NASCAR detractors go to an NHRA event

I wonder what they label drag racing?

Some people only see what they want to see. If they are looking for fault, there's plenty to find everywhere. But at least NASCAR drivers won't ever be accused of using steroids or being locked out over a salary dispute. And I defy the nay sayers here to show where they can get a non-NASCAR autograph for free.

[Sandpiper]

16. Ever been to any NASCAR races outside of California?

Or rather, have you ever been to a NASCAR race in the south?

[DrGonzoLives]

20. Talladega, twice

I don't remember any confederate flags being waved, or lynchings outside the track.

[Lugnut]

18. I'm not a redneck

And I don't fly a Confederate flag.

If you don't like NASCAR don't watch it. If you don't like this topic ignore it. I think hockey is stupid but you don't see me posting in their topics slamming hockey fans and what they enjoy. IOW....mind your own business.

:eyes:

[SeanQuinn]

22. Interesting article.

n/t