Danica buys her way into Daytona 500

[Zembonez]

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/31/danica-buys-her-way-into-daytona-500

 

[Darkanion]

Danica didn't do it, Stewart-Haas Racing did.. And this happens just about every year. It's just getting headlines this year because it's Danica.

In the grand scheme of things, who cares? She'll be talked about either way. This just gives them a supposed "she cheated to get in" angle to try to play instead of "will she make it?!? "

Either way, the media would've come up with tons of headlines and overhyped the crap out of whatever was going on with her.. The media is probably just ticked that they already had the "will she make it!? " stories written up!

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

 

[Zembonez]

Michael's right about this. NASCAR is going to plaster her name anywhere they think it will sell tickets.

Goodness knows they need the ticket sales.

I do still think it's wrong for anybody to be able to buy their way in. It's the same in Indy racing... not all NASCAR's problem.

 

[Darkanion]

I agree, Jim.. I think it's wrong, too.

Now, I could understand it more if the team wasn't going to be there and they could make some money off of selling the points.. But, to sell the points and be there...... That just seems wrong to me.

I'm sure TBR made a lot of money on the deal. That will probably fund them for several races and maybe it can help them get some better equipment to run better in those races. But, if the team is planning to participate in the race, I don't think they should be able to sell their points..

I remember Michael Waltrip doing this same thing a year or two back, when he wanted to "make sure" he was in the 500 "because he does so well at restrictor plate tracks." He got in the race alright and his lack of practice showed. He wrecked and took out several good cars in the process..

In a way, I'm kinda glad we don't have to hear "will Danica make it!?" on the 24 hr sports news cycle!

 

[Zembonez]

Trust me... you'll hear all Danica all the time in the broadcasts. They will give here more coverage from 28th position than the leader gets just like they did at Indy.

NSACAR needs help if they plan to survive long term. Many tracks have erected banners to hide the empty seats that were once bulging with fans... and sales continue to slow.

This should be interesting.

 

[Darkanion]

I know this is off-topic for the original post, but it relates to what you just said...

I think NASCAR needs to go to more tracks and not just race at the same ones, year in and year out.. Add some variety and don't hit some tracks twice in a year when there are other tracks that don't get hit at all..

I know the track promoters would pitch a fit, so it won't happen. But, if there was no Homestead race for a year or two, maybe folks would actually want to see a Homestead race when it popped up again on the schedule? Maybe have a Cup race in Montreal instead of two in Texas.. Shake it up a bit and give fans some variety..

 

[Zembonez]

Unfortunately it's all about the money with NASCAR. I'm not naive enough to believe they should just do it for the good of the sport, but I agree some more variety would make the sport more interesting.

 

[Darkanion]

Unfortunately it's all about the money with NASCAR. I'm not naive enough to believe they should just do it for the good of the sport, but I agree some more variety would make the sport more interesting.

IMO, if the sport is more interesting, it'll draw more fans, and they'll make more money..

 

[Zembonez]

Unfortunately it's all about the money with NASCAR. I'm not naive enough to believe they should just do it for the good of the sport, but I agree some more variety would make the sport more interesting.

IMO, if the sport is more interesting, it'll draw more fans, and they'll make more money..

True, but so much is invested in Bruton's tracks that they can't afford to pull up stakes and go set up another venue. Big money involved. That's what I meant.