Bruton Smith wants timeouts in NASCAR

[Markfan]

Considering that he and Brian France think that playoffs and wild cards actually belong in racing, this isn't surprising.

I look forward to those. We need to see more dual restarts. Three (per race) aren't enough. You need eight or 10 of them."

Smith said he wouldn't mind seeing a pseudo halftime at each race to cause an additional restart.

"If you have one every 20 laps, I don't care," Smith said.

And this mentality by the leaders of NASCAR, the same one that caused rules like double-file restarts, the chase, lucky dogs, green-white-checkereds, wave-arounds and (not rules, but) mystery debris cautions and a blatantly spec car that poorly handles, which made me quit watching in 2009.

It's obvious that they at NASCAR barely care about the competitive aspect anymore and would rather have it be a show. To quote Tony Stewart, “I guess NASCAR thinks ’Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it’s going to work in racing, too. I can’t understand how long the fans are going to let NASCAR treat them like they’re stupid before the fans finally turn on NASCAR."

Before anyone quotes me asking why I'm still in a NASCAR-related forum, I still use NR2003 and watch older footage.

 

[MnM1400]

I understand some rules, g-w-c, the chase, double file restarts, those all worked well but I'm pretty sure that 90% of fans will draw the line here and the other 10% only watch for the crashes.

 

[jacobc62]

I honestly like Tony's idea of using a figure-8 in NASCAR. Even if he was sarcastic.

Getting on subject, I'm surprised that Burton Smith actually listened to fans about Bristol MS. With him being as stupid as he is, that was an achievement.

 

[MnM1400]

I honestly like Tony's idea of using a figure-8 in NASCAR. Even if he was sarcasitc.

Getting on subject, I'm suprised that Burton Smith accualy listened to fans about Bristol MS. With as stupid as he is, that was an acheivment.

His only good idea to date and we still don't know if it will improve the racing. And when you say you want a figure-8, I'm really hoping you want one like eight bowl and not a demo derpy (Like Bruton wants).

 

[Mydnyte]

The older Bruton gets an more money he has, the more idiotic his decisions and opinions get.

 

[RP Motorsports]

This was undoubtedly something that Bruton Smith said for shock value just to get people talking about him so he can shamelessly plug all his tracks on Twitter for the next month. There's zero chance that he actually believes this... any press is good press (mostly) and nothing says "Look at Me!" like this ignorant and stupid statement. He's a ridiculous self-promoter along with Eddie Gossage and together they probably have a combined IQ of 19.

I dont really think he was going for shock value or attention. It was just typical Bruton. The only thing he can see are dollar signs. He has zero concerns for the actual racing. Whatever he thinks can make him more money, is what he wants to do. And he's often very impulsive about it (see Bristol repave project).

He just sees some empty seats at the track and then sees races going green and people complain about "cookie cutter" intermediates, so he jumps the gun and puts them all together. When in reality, the empty seats might very well have nothing to do with any of those things (how about this economy?). Its nothing new with him. He's been coming up with these crazy kinds of ideas for decades now. We just didnt have all this social media and internet capabilities years ago, so we didnt have to hear about it as much.

It's obvious that they at NASCAR barely care about the competitive aspect anymore and would rather have it be a show. To quote Tony Stewart, “I guess NASCAR thinks ’Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it’s going to work in racing, too. I can’t understand how long the fans are going to let NASCAR treat them like they’re stupid before the fans finally turn on NASCAR."

I dont think thats really accurate at all. And I think you know that as well, but you're obviously not happy with the sanctioning body and trying to make a point, and I understand that completely.

For one thing, if they didnt care about the competitive aspect, they wouldnt have such strict guidelines and tech procedures in place. Theres zero leniency to maintain a competitive balance.

Now theres obviously the business aspect as well, which can influence certain decisions that are made. And its a delicate balance no doubt. But its no different than the evolution of any other sport. Its just like when the NHL was locked out and the game was totally revamped. The entire infractions section of the rule book was overhauled, the red line was taken out, icing/line change rules were implemented, and several other things. Some people hated it (mostly the purists like myself), some people liked it, and some were neutral on it. But of those who hated it, most still stuck with the game because they love it.

Its the same thing with NASCAR. They know very well that you cant please everyone, which is why they aim for the majority. As much as some people dont want to believe it, NASCAR is trying to please as many fans as they can. Its in their best interest to do so as a business. But again, you cant please everyone, and you never will.

As for Smoke's statement, thats just typical Smoke. When he's not happy about something, everyone is going to know about it. And you can be sure he'll provide some kind of over-the-top statements like that gem (and the whole thing about figure 8 racing, running backwards, etc...). I'll guarantee half the stuff he says in those situations, he doesnt really believe. Its just heat of the moment. Comparing NASCAR to WWE is just absurd. And he knows that as well as anyone.

I know some of the changes over the years have put you off, and I understand it completely. I'm not new-school in the least bit. I'd be willing to bet the majority of people who post on these forums probably wernt even born when I started watching racing. So I've got just as much old-school or purist mentality in me as anyone else. Reguardless and despite those changes (some of which I like and some of which I dont) theres still some spectacular racing going on.

 

[taz1458]

Since when did NASCAR have to become the WWE? Im with Mike Bagley & Pete Pistone on this one. This is not the WWE. Lets keep it that way!

 

[DavidN]

I beleive they need to slow down the cars, and well just make them back to the way they used to be(with the safty we have now). And I actually think the trucks are the most exciting. They arnt to fast and you see them 2 and sometimes 3 wide 6 laps after a restart. They bump into each other once in a while. There are a few cautions but that's because, well the selected few that are no name's spin themselves out.

 

[dalejrgamer]

NASCAR says no:
NASCAR not interested in mandatory cautions - Yahoo! Sports

 

[celticfang]

I'd rather see the half time break back for the trucks at selected events personally

 

[WinstonCup426]

NASCAR says no:
NASCAR not interested in mandatory cautions - Yahoo! Sports

Sanity. I'm kind of surprised.

 

[Mystical]

What did I just read.

This is motor racing. Not a ball sport. Mandatory stopping periods? C'mon, really? What next?

I know right. Mandatory cautions would be terrible.

 

[kevin29]

i think bruton smith needs a time out