“They’re Not Racing” – NASCAR Insider Bashes the Problematic Talladega Outing as Fans Experience Keep Getting Worse
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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 23, 2023; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) race at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Fans who attended Talladega Superspeedway on April 22 for the GEICO 500 are somewhat disappointed, despite an enticing race. But why so? While the race was full of adrenaline rushes, some still complained that it was a bit monotonous for a race of this stature. Although you must be thinking, how can a record 72-time lead change be monotonous?
It could be because of the fuel-saving techniques that were being followed by the drivers. However sophisticated it might seem, this approach may have lessened the excitement typically linked with NASCAR races. Based on this, NASCAR Insider calls out drivers for having followed this scheme.
Riding, not racing, in the Talladega Cup race?
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This fuel-saving technique, while effective, tends to promote a conservative approach among drivers. They prefer to stay behind others to benefit from the draft, leading to frequent shifts in the lead position. This reluctance to stay ahead for too long means that no driver can maintain a substantial lead throughout the race. And with this, we have a major problem. Door Bumper Clear‘s Freddie Kraft has recently expressed his views.
Kraft said, “So, yeah, it is obvious that you’re running slower. It’s not obvious you’re half throttle. The only tool that we had to go off of visually when they would shoot tight. Or even wide zoom was the miles per hour that the leader was running. And it was obviously, man, it got 20–18 miles per hour slower than when you run wide open. But I pulled up timing and scoring. It was six seconds off, like you would, you know, scoring apps it says, best lap time and last lap time. So as a fan of the sport, and somebody who’s worked in it, I literally, I’m sitting there and I’m like they’re not racing, they’re riding.”
He expressed his confusion about the race-viewing experience, noting that various circumstances can lead to different positions. Drivers like Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, and Justin Haley, among others, could have potentially changed the race’s dynamic.
Further, it would have been a decisive factor in the race’s outcome, according to him, and we cannot disagree with him on this. “Because, I mean like, you look at BJ McLeod. I mean, it was obvious that anybody who was willing to stay in the throttle could lead the race. Which is super weird. I mean, we’ve always had Cinderella stories at Daytona, Talladega, mainly Talladega. Because handling doesn’t come into play. But I don’t understand why nobody just sacrificed speed for fuel savings, just to see what would happen,” he added.
Other complaints brought up by NASCAR fans, FOX tops the list
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The switch from traditional scoring pylons to advanced digital displays has sparked significant unrest among some racing fans. With this transition, by biding farewell to a beloved tradition, NASCAR is indicative of a wider move towards digitalization in sports. Critics contend that despite the enhanced visual experience and instant updates provided by the new technology, it also removes a nostalgic aspect. Something that has been a fundamental part of the race day experience.
Apart from all these, there are issues with the primary broadcaster, FOX. Fans have been highly discontent with them after a series of blunders. Notably, this started at the season opener, the Daytona 500 race, when the fans were confused if they were watching races or commercials. There were so many of them.
Coming to the biggest blunder, FOX made a huge mistake during the Martinsville Spring race. As Group B’s practice at Martinsville wrapped up, the broadcast featured several cars. Among them were those driven by Anthony Alfredo and J.J. Yeley. When the broadcast focused on car No. 15, the graphic displayed Yeley’s details, including his name, age (46), and his Phoenix origin.
Interestingly, the graphic also erroneously credited the Rick Ware Racing driver with the title of 2009 F1 World Champion. All these are bound to make the fans dissatisfied, as they will consider that the main broadcasters are not taking things seriously. This is indeed bad news for the sport.
Let’s see how NASCAR authorities react to all these situations and act accordingly. Should this not be addressed, fan discontent is likely to grow.
Written by:
Edited by:
Shivali Nathta
