|
|
Richmond, Race 11© Thomas M. Sampson
May 7, 2000
New race tracks, the 'roof dance,' Daytona Speedway rebuilds grandstand fence, and the Pontiac Excitement 400 from Richmond, Virginia.
New Venues for 2001........ Kansas City and Chicago
The rumor is out about the impending announcement from NASCAR (due May 8th) adding the two new venues to the 2001 schedule. It seems to me there would have had to be some kind of guarantee from NASCAR about a race date, before developers would sink over 200 million into building racetracks. A simple nod doesn't go very far these days, where that kind of money is concerned.
Will a couple of the existing venues be dropped? Second races at Darlington, Rockingham, Richmond, and Martinsville have been named as possible victims of progress. It's still up in the air at this point, and even after the new schedule comes out, it's always subject to change. NASCAR officials say it isn't out of the question to add the two races to the existing schedule, bringing the total to 36 races per season. It wouldn't hurt my feelings any if they raced all year long!
As far as dropping second races at existing venues is concerned, I'm all for that too! But, I think they should drop the second races at Talledega and Daytona if they are going to do that. I believe short track racing is essential to the sport, and restrictor plate racing isn't really racing. I haven't noticed anyone building another two and a half-mile track anywhere.
Roof Dance........... A costly Jig
I can just imagine what crew chiefs will now be telling their drivers. "If you win the race, don't get on the roof, I can't afford it! If you win, and damage the roof, you're paying the 25K fine for lowering the roof, not me!" I've seen drivers get on the roof in jubilation before, but I don't recall any fines for 'lowering the roof' afterwards. NASCAR's really down on Jeremy Mayfield. Couldn't you just see Jimmy Spencer jumping up and down on his roof? He's a big hefty guy, and would be sure to render the roof "impassable" for the post race inspection. If Jimmy was fined for that, he'd probably be sure to also jump up and down on Mike Helton, to get his money's worth. I think someone should do a little jumping up and down on Helton, to loosen some of the cobwebs in his head.
Go To Page:
1
2
3
|
