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- 08/14/2011, 10:20PM ET
Should NASCAR use rain tires at road courses?
Outlaw... said 08/14, 10:20 PM
FOr those that don't know, today's NASCAR race at Watkins Glenn was postoned until tomorrow morning due to rain.
I saw on the NASCAR threads that some of the fans want to see rain tires, and I don't think it's a good idea.
Note- This is just for road courses because the rain tires would not work at an oval track.
Yes, most open wheeled series have rain tires in place, but the machines used in NASCAR are much heavier, and tires wear out quicker in NASCAR than they do in open wheeled cars.
And if you have ever seen the open wheeled cars "racing" in the rain, you would notice that there isn't much racing going on. The cars are slowed to near caution lap speeds, there is very little if any passing.
It just doesn't make for exciting racing.
As a diehard NASCAR fan, I would rather DVR a Monday morning race than see a snoozefest being "raced" in the rain on Sunday.
And if you introduce rain tires, cars will need to be equipped with windshield wipers, and likely headlights.
It might sound like a good idea, but it won't work. Plus when it rains, most fans leave the track. Running around at caution lap speed on an empty race track isn't my idea of racing.
McSkippy454 said 08/15, 12:05 AM
Know first, I am a Nascar fan. But yes, I think they need to be using Rain tires whenever possible, especially at Road Courses! Now, some tracks it would be absolutely silly to use them at, but that is not this TD, this TD is for Road Courses.
To be honest, I don't like watching the Road Courses. They're filled with Sub drivers that are "road course specialist" that hardly win, or full time drivers that hate them, or never race good at them. These race tracks need something, not just a Chase Race, but something new that will spice it up. These tracks NEED rain tires. I fully believe the fans, that show up, would stay in the stands to see this. There may be drivers against it, but most of them all agree, they should add it for the fans. You don't please the fans, they won't stay around.
Who is to stay the NASCAR race in the rain would be anywhere near what a open wheel race would be? Open Wheel cars are much lighter then a Nascar, so going full speed may not be an option for them in the rain.
I'm not saying they should race in a full blown storm, but a little bit of rain wouldn't hurt. More in next argument.
Outlaw... said 08/15, 06:12 PM
Road course racing isn't my favorite, I prefer the super speedways and short tracks myself. And there is a correction to be made, these road course ringers have never won a Cup race at either of the two road courses currently used by NASCAR.
But why exactly would using rain tires make road courses more popular?
Rain tires pretty much eliminate any and all action on the track. There is even less passing, the laps are ran at near caution lap speeds.
Using rain tires would make it so NASCAR could get the race in on Sunday, but it would totally take away the quality of the product.
As for the second paragraph, cars used in NASCAR are much heavier, less aerodynamic, more ill handling, and much harder to drive with sunny conditions, much less rainy conditions. With the weight of the cars, if NASCAR runs at normal speed, not only will the cars be virtually out of control, the tires would only last around 10 laps.
I'd rather watch a replay of the race after work on Monday than see a subpar product being raced in the rain on Sunday.
McSkippy454 said 08/15, 11:49 PM
I pointed out that you claim that a NASCAR race in the rain would be similar to a Open Wheel Car race in the rain, slow and near caution lap speeds. How do you know that would be the case? I could understand maybe the first time, but eventually drivers would adjust and race. Sure, it may never be near full speed, but to claim something based on another driving sport with COMPLETELY different vehicles is just absurd.
And also remember, you may not want it, but there are a lot more fans that would want to see it. You ask why racing in the rain would make it more popular? Remember, this is the honest truth. People will pay to see something "Dangerous" that may cause a chance at more wrecks. As much as I love a good, hard race, I'm sure you do too, many fans, especially the casuals, want to see a race with wrecks and something different other then "another left turn". It's the truth, flat out.
You even said it, Road Courses aren't your favorites, they hardly are for anybody. You spice it up, add something to it, more people will pay attention.
NASCAR drivers even admit it, and it all comes down to this. Majority of the fans want to see it. Hell, even some of them want it.
Outlaw... said 08/16, 05:46 PM
I'm not basing that off assumption, I'm basing it on fact. Rain tires at high speeds on heavy stock cars would not work. Tire wear would be a huge problem to the point where lower funded teams might not be able to have enough tires for a rainy race.
Racing in the rain wouldn't cause more crashes or make the sport more dangerous assuming defrosters, windshield wipers and headlights are also added to the cars.
Which brings me to my next point, that's a lot of stuff to add to the cars. A race car is expensive, and adding these new features would cost a lot of money, especially since they could only be used during two races a season.
It's just not worth the time or money.
Rain tires would spice up the racing, they would make the racing very dull and near impossible to watch.
And fans in the stands aren't gonna sit in the rain to watch cars at half speed cruise around the track with very little actual racing going on.
The tickets are still good for Monday if the race is postponed a day, you can't refund your tickets for a race that is ran.
McSkippy454 said 08/17, 06:03 PM
Ok, let's get one thing straight. Road Courses aren't fast to begin with, The Glenn didn't top 100 MPH as average speed, according to NASCAR.com the average speed for The Glenn was 99.417 mph and for Sonoma it topped at 75.411 mph. Obviously faster speeds should never be an issue, this, especially Sonoma, is a slow speed to begin with.
Also, who is to say NASCAR, or the track, couldn't change the ticket policy about rain at a Road Course that is ran in the rain?
Plus everybody knows you can't add headlights to a NASCAR! Jeeze. They have stickers there for a reason man! Seriously, the other series are built to include Defrosters, etc, so why can't the main series do it? It's a joke they don't for their best drivers.
Know what's not worth the time or money? The fans that can't make the Monday race. You're telling me that the fans who wouldn't be able to make a post poned Monday race wouldn't sit in the stands? I missed the Michigan race a few years ago that was race by mid-week, I'd love to see them run there in the rain. But, a track like that they shouldn't.
Road courses need something, they're dull. Have at it boys? Give em rain tires, then they can have at it.
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Comments (31) Add A Comment
yawn....
BurghFan1: on XBL
Pittsburgh, PA
Total Comments (290)
I don't get some people.
If you don't like NASCAR, don't read or comment on a NASCAR TD.
I hate hockey, basketball and soccer, so I stay away from hockey, basketball and soccer TDs.
Outlaw...
Ball Ground, GA
Total Comments (39772)
someone is all butt hurt tonight. I'm a fan of just about everything with competition, i've had my times where I actually paid attention to NASCAR.
BurghFan1: on XBL
Pittsburgh, PA
Total Comments (290)
Can't really say..... all I really see for the NASCAR replays on ESPN are the crashes.. or at least that's all I pay attention to.
harrisplz
Total Comments (382)
They can't drive in the rain? My mom is 70 years old and she can drive in the rain.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (35185)
Forget about 'rain tires', if you really want to keep fans in the seats then have 'em throw on some 'wrinkle walls' and no wiper.
Thorn19
Lake Tahoe, CA
Total Comments (273)
I don't have to switch tires for my car when it rains.
Assassin: Simile…
Total Comments (32928)
Your Mother would be a good alternate Driver for Danica - Go Daddy!
MADROX
Total Comments (153)
Not a big fan of any racing in the rain. But there should be provisions for a quick drizzle that doesn't soak the track.
And add a defroster to your list of equipment. That was 1 of the issues when they had the rain experiment in Nationwide. Windshields fogging up.
UnBiasedPerspective-…
Total Comments (45387)
The drivers should wear hairnets when it rains.
HQQD
Total Comments (227)
Okay.
Assassin: Simile…
Total Comments (32928)
I would rather DVR a Monday morning race than see a snoozefest being "raced" in the rain on Sunday
So you don't like rain? cause all nascar races are snoozefests
rsp
Total Comments (2261)
Refer to comment number 2.
Outlaw...
Ball Ground, GA
Total Comments (39772)
NO RAIN TIRES, they should try Monday DVR time,, just would ruin the race.
SLY 1
Total Comments (13242)
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